Sign up for Antonio's newsletter

Kara:
It’s important to understand that the scale is not the best way judges of you’re fitness level. Too many America are fascinated with body weight instead of body composition. The problem with using body weight to judge you’re results is that we are all different. We come in different shapes and sizes.

Some people have larger frames that can carry more body weight. Others have more muscle mass and weight more because muscle is heavier than fat. The trick is not to rely on body weight alone to gauge your success. Use a variety of methods when determining you’re progress.

First establish baselines when you start you’re fitness routine. Take measurements of key areas such as you’re chest, arms, thighs, hips and waistline. This will accomplish 2 goals. It will allow you to go back later and chart your progress. It will also serve as motivation when you realize that you’re routine is working.

If you are a visual person try taking before pictures. Schedule a date to retake you’re pictures and compare the results. You will be more likely to stay on track if you have proof that you’re body is beginning to change.

Check you’re weight once a week. You’re body weight will fluctuate based on many factors such as how much sleep you get or how many times you use the bathroom. Females also retain more fluid during certain times of the month. Checking you’re weight too often will cause you to panic and make bad decisions. I usually advise people to check their weight on the same day every week in the morning before they eat breakfast. This is the only way to get accurate results.

Physical changes are not the only way to measure results. Keep detailed records of weights, exercises and repetitions that you do during you’re workouts. If you are able to handle more weight you are obviously getting stronger. If you are doing more repetitions you’re gaining muscle endurance. These results are important because they help you to continually challenge you’re body. They also show a different type of progress that often goes unnoticed.

Remember just because some chart say’s that you have not reached you’re target body weight does not mean you are out of shape. There are many others things to consider when determining your results. I have seen so many people fail to reach their goals because they use the scale as their only source of measuring success.

I am by no means saying not to use a scale; I am merely suggesting that you use a variety of methods when determining you’re progress. Your results will be more consistent.