If you’re planning on starting a diet or developing a workout plan, you must have already made your calculations regarding your current weight, your goal weight, and the amount you need to lose. That’s great as setting a goal is a big step. The next step, which is much harder, is keeping track of your progress towards that goal. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to do so, all of which are covered in this article.
Use a Tape Measure
We are all used to using a scale when it comes to weighing ourselves. It’s just easier to see a number that gives you a quick answer to a persistent question. Unfortunately, using the scale to measure your body weight is not an effective tool. It doesn’t track every change that took place, it rather calculates the overall weight, water weight included. This is why using a tape measure is a much better option because a scale won’t tell you that you lost two inches off your waist. So, if you’re going to use a weight measuring tool, use an accurate one rather than an easy one.
Set a Weigh-in Day
Setting a weigh-in day should be on the top of your weight loss agenda. As a reference, some dietitians recommend checking your weight every 28 days, others recommend doing so on a weekly basis. However, you don’t need to follow any dietitians’ advice on this, just figure out a day that works best for you. The important thing is that you don’t develop an unhealthy fixation on your weight. So, it’s better to set some time apart between every check-in and be mindful of your thoughts while doing so. This can also prove to be rewarding because you’ll get to see the vast difference between every weigh-in and be proud of yourself and your progress.
Weight Tracking Apps
Using weight tracking apps can help you maintain the progress of the change you’re undergoing. You’ll find that many fitness apps in general use tools, like calorie calculators and calorie expenditure logs to assist the users as much as possible. If you look at the MMA Spartan System features, you’ll notice that while the application is mainly a workout app, it provides weight and diet tracking features. Why? Because losing weight is a fine combination of diet and exercise. These tools can provide a lot of insight, especially when you’re unsure about the calorie count of a specific meal or snack that you’d like to add to your diet.
Keep a Log
You can easily keep track of your progress by keeping a log in which you can document every weigh-in. This makes the whole process easier because it saves you from mixing up the numbers and reminds you of your progress in times of discouragement. In addition, it can serve as a motivational tool whenever you feel like you’re not seeing much progress. With a log, you can look at your entire weight-loss journey and the numbers you’ve shed and see the extent of the change you’ve gone through with your body. A log can also inspire you to maintain the same routine and fuel your determination to stay on track.
Why is Weight Tracking Important?
You don’t have to be a result-oriented person to feel like you need to keep track of your weight. Checking how many pounds or inches you have lost is vital information that you should be aware of. Losing weight is a journey and an experimental one at that. This is when you get to see which meals and workout routines are benefiting you and which ones don’t quite have the same effect. This will give you a lot of insight into your routine, your body, and what works best for you. Tracking your own progress and celebrating the wins will, without a doubt, help keep you motivated and excited to maintain your healthy routine. In short, weight tracking in moderation brings about nothing but benefits, mental and physical.
Losing weight can be an exciting journey if you know how to guide yourself through it. Keep in mind that you’re doing this for your well-being. If you notice that a healthy routine is turning into a compulsive fixation don’t hesitate to take a beat and consider your intentions. A tip that many often find helpful when it comes to managing unhealthy fixations is setting some time apart between every weigh-in. This way, they’re able to keep track of their progress without obsessing over it. Remember, there’s no point in getting the body you want if you won’t get to enjoy it.
