Many people begin their weight loss journey with only one destination in mind: fat loss. They want to lose weight — and they want to lose as much as they can as fast as possible. As a result, they will spend several minutes a day on the scales, monitoring the pounds in detail. (And putting themselves down if the arrow stays in the same place.) That said, did you know that the scales aren’t a good way of tracking your progress? Sure, your weight is one aspect that you can track. However, generally speaking, it’s not a good indication of results because of the changes happening in your body that the scales can’t detect. Intrigued? Read on to find out why you need to ditch them and embrace small wins instead.
1. Your Body Composition Will Change
First things first, your weight is important, but so is your muscle mass. When you exercise, a few things happen:- You gain muscle
- Raise your metabolism
- Lose fat
2. Your Cells Will Change
When you exercise, your body goes through change on the inside, as well as going through change on the outside. Your cells release more fat-burning molecules, which increases your physical fitness as time goes on. And this is also something that the scales are unable to measure.
3. You’ll Have More Strength and Endurance
As you continue to workout and get fitter, your body starts to adapt. Consequently, you’ll find that you’re able to have more energy for longer and lift heavier. In other words, you gain strength and endurance, which can only be measured by how you feel.
4. Your Overall Health Will Improve
Thanks to your body adapting as you exercise and lose weight, you might find that there are small health wins you can celebrate. These include:- You can manage stress better
- Alleviate joint or muscle pain
- Improve your quality of sleep
- Boost your mood
In fact, the endorphins your body releases during exercise will significantly improve your mental health, as well as physical health. This will clear your mind, improve your memory and sharpen your focus. Ergo, why not focus on your health goals rather than what the scale is telling you?
5. You Will Make Better Choices
Lastly, because you’re feeling good and your clothes are fitting better, you might find yourself making better eating choices. (I.e. The grilled chicken salad will start looking so much more appetising than the greasy cheeseburger!) How come, you ask? Well, because you won’t want to hinder your progress. And as soon as you start doing more things that make you feel good, you might find that it’s easier to just keep doing them.
