We've learned so much about our bodies over the years. We know that
weight fluctuates, that we retain more water after workouts, and that a
pound of fat certainly does not equal a pound of muscle. So why is it
that we still allow ourselves to be slaves to the scale?
Truth is,
those numbers peering up at you from the cold bathroom floor are pretty
much the worst indicators of health and fitness success. It doesn't
matter if you're trying to lose weight, gain weight, tone existing
muscles, or discover new ones—experts agree the following methods are
much better ways to determine when you're on the path to fitness
nirvana.
Listening to Your BodyPractice
becoming more in-tune with your body, because if you listen, it will
tell you much more than the scale ever will. "I often have clients come
in and say, 'I don't know if the scale moved, but I feel so great,'"
says Stephanie Middleberg, R.D., of New York City–based Middleberg Nutrition.
"This means their energy is up, their skin is clear, they are going to
the bathroom consistently, and their cravings are way down."
Beating Personal Records
This
is a great method for those who feel numbers are crucial to measuring
success. "If you are going to focus on numbers, focus on something that
you have control over, something that can only motivate you in a
positive way," recommends Boston-based fitness competitor and vlogger Taryn Gilligan.
We're talking about personal goals and records.
Super Slim Pomegranate Reviews Whether that's adding
an extra plate on the bar during your most recent trip to the gym,
holding your plank for an extra 10 seconds, or running another mile,
simply altering your quantitative-focused mindset can do wonders for
your fitness journey going forward.
Tackling Everyday TasksPerhaps
the simplest way to gauge how far you've come in your fitness journey
is to pay attention to how you feel doing everyday tasks. Whether its
carrying laundry up and down the stairs or cleaning up after the kids,
mundane chores will typically become easier as you become stronger.
These methods of measuring health and fitness success can be the most
important of all because, as fitness expert and Get Healthy U founder Chris Freytag says, "they are real life."
How You Reward YourselfThere's
no denying we live in a world that automatically associates
celebrations with food. A sign that you've reached a new level of health
and fitness success is realizing you don't need that chocolate cake or
French fries to celebrate a major accomplishment or milestone, whether
it's being promoted, moving in with your boyfriend, or going down a
dress size. "To celebrate, go dancing. You'll have fun and you'll get a
great workout," says Pamela Graham, a personal trainer and founder of
Healthy Bod Fitness in New York City. "If dancing isn't your thing, go
to a play or a concert, or buy yourself a new pair of shoes—better yet, a
new pair of sneakers or a cute new outfit for the gym that will keep
you motivated."
Zipping Your Jeans
Freytag believes so much in this method, she even has a saying for it: "Zip it up once a week for weight loss." Grab
your favorite pair of jeans and see where you fall on her denim
spectrum: baggy (great!), fit as they always have (good!), suddenly snug
(red flag!), or can't even get into them (sound the alarm!). "Your
scale is going to fluctuate," she says. "But if your jeans are starting
to get tight," it might signal a change is needed in your health and
fitness routine.
Acknowledging Your PowerIt's
incredibly empowering when you're not intimidated by food choices. When
you reach this level of success, not only will the foods you used to
consider diet staples become unappetizing, but formerly paralyzing food
situations—traveling, a business meeting, a date—will become effortless.
"There is no better marker for success than knowing you made the best
possible choice you could in each situation," says Middleberg.
Finding New PurposeIf
you're in the camp of people who started their health and fitness
journey for appearance reasons, you are not alone. But as you continue
on your healthy path, you may begin to uncover real intent behind your
new lifestyle. "What's your purpose? Do you want to feel strong? Do more
things? Have more energy?" asks Freytag. "None of those things are tied
to the scale. Have goals beyond your weight."
Sleep PatternsThis isn't to say that your nightly coffee habit or an underlying sleep disorder isn't what's really keeping
you up at night, but if you're tossing and turning, first look to your
diet and exercise routine, says Freytag. A solid seven to nine hours of sleep, as recommended by the National Sleep Foundation, is a great indicator that your health and fitness needs are being met.
SelfiesSexting
and duck-face jokes aside, taking photos of yourself is a very
effective way to measure health and fitness success. "The scale doesn't
tell you what's water, what's fat, and what's muscle. It doesn't know
that you're PMS-ing or that you had a killer leg workout the previous
day," says Gilligan. "Progress pictures, however, are instrumental in
helping you see the changes in your body from one day to the next, one
month to the next, or even from where you started years ago." Ali Holman, ,
recommends breaking out the measuring tape every four to six weeks
along with the camera. "When we live in our bodies, we don't really see
the daily progress," she says.
Feeling BalancedSometimes,
the ultimate indicator of health and fitness success is that you've
simply found balance.
Super Slim Pomegranate Weight Loss If you're starving yourself, working out
incessantly, constantly punishing yourself for poor food choices, or
stepping on the scale multiple times per day, that's unhealthy. "Getting
into health and fitness can make a lot of people feel like they're
chasing their tail," says Gilligan. "Either it consumes them, or they
feel like they can never find their groove and fall off the wagon." But
when you can enjoy an indulgent dinner or skip a workout without feeling
guilty—because you know you're being healthy the majority of
the time—that's the most important thing.