"I put the scale in the corner...and that's where she'll stay until she learns how to b
So many times clients approach me with worry – worry that the scale isn’t moving. Sigh, right?
Clients, both male and female have this never ending battle with the scale. Truthfully, if I could walk into all of their houses and throw it in the trash I would.
The scale is not the end all be all of your fitness & wellness journey. It isn’t the ultimate measure of progress.
Have a read of the different ways that you can measure your progress without ever stepping on the scale.
Take pictures
Day 1 take pictures or yourself. Pick a background with good lighting, wearing as little clothing as possible. Capture yourself from the front, side profile and back.
14 days, 1 month, 6 weeks later retake your pictures. Same time, same background, same lighting, same “clothes”. Compare the differences, whether it is huge or not – remember that progress is STILL progress.
Measure yourself
Take measurements – waist, hips, left/right leg (thigh), chest/breast, left/right arm. The scale doesn’t tell you how many inches you’ve lost or gained (depending on your goals). Losing an inch in your waist is PROGRESS, losing 0.25 inches in a thigh is STILL progress. Gaining 0.25 inches in a thigh is LEG GAINS (especially if you compare your pictures as well and notice less fat, more definition/size!)
Track your food
Throughout the 21 days, journal your eating habits. Note your meals, snacks, water intake. Be honest, be transparent. You may note as the days progressed you found it easier to eat cleaner. Progress is STILL progress.
Use clothing
Put on a pair of jeans, a skirt, a work shirt, anything. If your goal is to be leaner, note how it fits. Try it on again, if not 2 weeks later, 4 weeks, or 6 weeks later and note the difference. All about the gains? Do the same of course.
Measure your fitness
Complete a fitness assessment. We call it “Minute to Win It” at Hindssight. Pick a few exercises to max out reps for one minute each. Pushups, jump squats, kettlebell swings, situps, slamball for example. Go into hulk mode and push out as many reps of each for a minute interval. Record the result. Maybe, pedal bike a specific distance, swim a specific distance or attempt a yoga class. 2 weeks later, 1 month later, and/or 6 weeks later, re do the test, ride, or class and note the improvement. If you’ve been consistent and honest with your efforts there will be improvement. Yet another thing the scale does not tell you!
Measure your sleep patterns
Many clients will complain initially that they CAN’T sleep, due to their unhealthy lifestyle. Make a note of this prior to beginning. After a few weeks, months make note of the change – hopefully, your improved health has allowed you to sleep better. Progress!
Evaluate your joy, social life, emotions
Are you the office grouch? Miserable for no reason at all. Most times, if someone is unhappy with themselves, it comes out in the way they treat others. Taking a hold of your fitness and wellness is a definite way of improving your everyday life. Seriously!
These are just a few ways to measure progress. Methods that tell you so much more than a scale ever would! If we constantly get caught up with measuring success/progress with one method, we’ll ultimately crash, back slide or give up – AND GIVING UP IS NEVER AN OPTION!
Make the necessary changes to reach your goals based on the results of each assessment and continue to move forward – only using the past to fuel your next step. Remember that this lifestyle is not black and white, we are not a cookie cut version of something else and that your lifestyle is just that – YOURS! Be unapologetic about how you live it and remember to always be honest with your efforts!