Be honest.
How many times have you stood on the scales and been disappointed, upset or ANGRY?
I’m pretty sure most people have done this at some point.
So should you use the scales to determine your progress & happiness?
Absolutely NOT – See picture.
Scales are one of the LEAST accurate ways of assessing your progress and MOST common ways to kill motivation.
WHY?
Press Play : )
Water retention and that fact women’s weight in particular naturally fluctuates monthly aside.
To lose bodyfat, the aim is to INCREASE your lean muscle tissue.
More Muscle = Higher Metabolism.
Higher Metabolism = More Calories Burned = Better Fatloss Results.
But here’s the thing.
Muscle weighs MORE than fat.
So you if you DROP bodyfat and GAIN muscle.
Will you weight more? – Quite Possibly.
BUT
Will you look more toned? – Yes
Will your body change shape? – Yes
Will you be fitter and stronger? – Yes
Will you feel sexier and more confident? – Hells Yeah
So would you trade feeling sexier, fitter, stronger, more confident and HAPPIER just be ‘lighter’ on the scales?
If your answer is YES, then sadly I’m not the person to help you.
If you answered NO, then read on.
Here’s my Top 3 most accurate ways to assess your progress.
1. PICTURES
Simple, quick and a picture never lies.
Yes, they can be scary but I can’t stress how VALUABLE these are.
Make sure you take them before you eat/drink anything.
Take a picture from the front, side and back (if possible), wear the SAME thing, in the same location with the same lighting, angle and distance from the camera/mirror.
You don’t have to show them to anyone if you don’t want.
They’re for you, nobody else.
2. MEASUREMENTS
Another QUICK and easy method.
Waist, hips, thigh & upper arm (biggest part) are a good start.
As per your pictures, make sure you take your measurements in the morning before you eat/drink anything.
Take care to make sure you place the tape around the SAME area each time and write your measurements down.
3. CLOTHES TEST
We ALL know when our clothes get a little tighter just as we all know when they feel a looser.
So this is something you probably do regularly anyway.
If you get to the point you need NEW size clothes,
That’s great indicator you either hitting your goals or get back on track fast!
These are only from an AESTHETIC point of view and there’s soo many others ways you can make progress.
** Physical performance
** Drinking more water
** Eating more protein
** Getting more steps in
** Adding more veg to your diet
** Making better choices
** More positive self talk
** Improved sleep
** Planning your meals
The list is pretty endless.
Moral of The Story:
Unless you’re a fitness model going on stage, boxer, MMA fighter or professional athlete who NEEDS to be a specific weight for their sport,
Bust out your camera / tape measure and DITCH those scales.
If you know anyone who’s been sucked into crazy diets who tend to weigh themselves obsessively.
Or
Anyone who goes to Weight Watchers having weekly weigh ins.
Please share this blog to help support them and let’s STOP the scales stealing people’s happiness.
Scales should NOT have the power to make you miserable or determine whether you have a ‘good’ day or a ‘bad’ day!
It’s time to take that power BACK : )
Lee ‘couldn’t tell you the last time I weighed myself’ Donald
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