factor is, first and foremost, the number of the scales, followed by how we look in the mirror.  How often do you go into it based on the way you feel?

We anxiously step on the scales every day, or every week, full of dread, hoping like anything that the numbers have dropped to show us that what we are doing is working and to inspire us to keep going. What happens if they aren’t a great result? Do we get disappointed, hate on ourselves, get demotivated, and fall right back where we started?  I think so.

If I said ditch the scales, would you?

I have shared some other great and more effective ways to track your progress:

Measurements ~ although these also have a lot of variables, this can give an estimation of actual visible fat lost!

Fitness Test ~ completing a fitness test that we can continually redo is a great way see evidence that our strength and fitness is increasing.  This is something I do with my all of my clients, including group sessions.

Diary ~ How did you feel before you started making better food choices and living more actively? How much energy did you have? What was your mindset like? How do you feel now? This is SO important. If you focus on how you feel, which is generally one of the positive changes that start happening sooner and more consistently, and start appreciating this new mindset, the scales and what you see in the mirror will soon follow.  Love yourself and your body enough to live a healthy lifestyle.

Body composition scan ~ although not easily accessible in our area, body composition scales are an extremely reliable and extensive way to see all the changes happening to your body. Your muscle mass, your water retention, your body fat percentage, the visceral fat (the dangerous type you can’t see around your organs), all those little bits and pieces that add together to show you that your efforts ARE working.  I am hoping to have Inbody come to us at the end of November or early December for this service.  I have more information on Facebook but you can contact me to express your interest.

Photos ~ My favourite way, and something I tell clients to make sure they do, is one of the easiest and yet very effective ways of seeing the external progress.  Take photos!! Front view, side view, back view.  You may not think anything has changed, but by comparing a before and after, you can see all the little things AND the overall big picture!  I recommend to do this every 4-6 weeks.

Whilst I think it is okay if you want to weigh yourself once a week (no more!), or every now and then for a general idea of your weight, this should not be the “be all and end all” for you to base your progress on.  Particularly for women, hormone changes, water retention changes, and so many other factors that can alter that scale on a daily, and weekly basis.  And if you have started a new program and the scales stay the same?  Look at your body, look at the fat loss, the MUSCLE development, your postural changes, and most importantly, how you feel.

Below I have shared a few photos of me over the last few years in my journey to show you that the scales are NOT the most accurate way of tracking your progress.

Skinny to strong!  53kgs to 59kgs!  My journey is far from over.  Everyday I strive to be a better person than I was yesterday.

Do you weigh yourself?  How do you feel about the number that looks back at you?