What is the most accurate way to measure success during your fitness and weightloss journey? Or more appropriately asked, How do YOU measure success? Is it by the number on the scale? or Is it the loss of inches?
While on a weight loss and fitness journey, too often we are caught up with numbers on the scale. We obsessively check the scale each morning hoping to see the number go DOWN and not UP.
Studies have shown that those who weigh themselves daily, are more successful with their weight loss goals.
However, I think being obsessive over the number on the scale can be counterintuitive – NOT helpful.
We become discouraged by the slightest increase (or decrease) from our hard work and efforts.
Over the past few weeks, in my personal weight loss journey, I have seen the scale hover between 143 and 146.
I found myself getting discouraged, angry, upset, frustrated and just CONFUSED as to why the weight fluctuation was happening.
I was losing sight of the bigger picture. There are MORE ways to view success. The scale is NOT THE ONLY WAY!
I noticed my clothes were LOOSER. I even recently purchased a MUCH SMALLER pair of jeans. Heck, I even zipped and buttoned a pair of size 6 jeans. (Granted, I did NOT purchase them – too many dimples, camel toe and muffin top exposed.)
I re-measured myself. My measurements are the same as they were post Boot camp.
My endurance and stamina has increased. I can run further faster than I could a few short weeks ago.
I am less tired, less cranky, less moody. Granted, I have my 16 month old son to thank for this one – he has finally decided to sleep for longer stretches through the night.
The only difference is my weight. The ONLY negative feedback I am getting is from my scale.
There are moments when I would like to banish my bathroom scale. However, I know that weighing myself periodically is part of the equation (not THE answer). I need to keep in mind ALL the ways to measure success during this journey.
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Keep accurate measurements and compare every few weeks.
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How do my clothes feel?
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How do I feel in my own skin?
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Do I have more energy? endurance? stamina?
When I look at the bigger picture, I find that I am successful. I am seeing the rewards for my hard work. Even if the scale might not agree (or is fickle from week to week).
I am not defined by the number on the scale. Neither does the number on the scale define YOU!
I am a strong, HEALTHY, woman! No matter what the scale might say. I choose to measure my success not by what the scale says, but through multiple parts of the fitness and weight loss equation.
How do YOU measure success?
I measure my success mostly by how I feel in my own skin. I think that is directly related to all the other ways to measure that you mentioned. I don’t like the scale, but I have one. I feel much better when my clothes fit properly, and when I have more energy and stamina. There are so many things that can influence those quantitative measurements and cause them to fluctuate. I think the qualitative ones are more important. But, both can be helpful in a journey to a healthier you.
Just the post I needed today. I have been dealing with this very issue all the time, now that I have lost 25lbs I want to hit that next mini goal. When I see the scale go back up I fight myself, try working out harder and still nothing, when I do nothing I lose weight- go figure. I’ve been driving myself crazy over that and must admit I’m a peeker in the morning. Seriously I think I need to put it up for a week and see what happens the following. I agree though, I see my success in inches or at least maybe not in inches but when I take a photo of myself I can see where I’m losing it, I feel better, I walk more and it feels great. Thanks again, this was needed.
You are TOTALLY welcome, friend! You are doing amazing… keep up the great work!! 🙂
I purposely have not chosen a goal weight right now. I think it’s more important how I feel and how much I can move around than how much I weigh! 😀
I don’t weigh myself daily either.
I USED to weigh myself daily… and now I only weigh myself once a week (per my Mamavation Mom contract). Even those once a week weigh ins are not fun. But I admit I need the weigh ins to make sure I am not flying off the deep end. 🙂
I agree, The scale, and measurements can really trick you up when your on a weight loss journey… I think you are doing amazing I love how inspiring your posts are and love talking to you on Twitter aswell Keep up the amazing work!!!
Love this post! I like to use as many tools as possible to track my progress and get the whole picture. I weigh weekly and make sure its at the same time and under the same circumstances for as accurate a reading as possible. I think this helps cut down on the fluctuation readings. I also have my husband weigh me and just tell me the scale change so I don’t get caught up in a number. Once a month I do progress pictures and tape measurements. The biggest thing is always how I feel though. If I’m feeling strong and like I’m caring for myself and GOOD overall before any measurement…then why would I stop feeling that way because of what a number told me? 😉
Thank you. I need to get back in the swing of things and take my monthly measurements and pictures. It is such a humbling experience to show your faults and be exposed like that. I applaud YOU for doing that each month! 🙂 I think I will do the same… starting in April. Yes, I feel strong and am taking care of myself… why should a number on the scale, pair of jeans, or piece of measuring tape define who *I* am?
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I go with body fat percentage as my metric of success. I get too obsessed with the scale and do take my batteries out of it a lot.
First, it’s muscle gain from doing push ups, squats & sit ups!!!!
Second, I can’t believe you used camel toe in a post! ROFL!!!!
Third, I agree that weighing every day can lead to obsessing over the number. I love using all the other ways to measure success.
P.S. You rock!
LOL! I was tempted not to use camel toe… but it so accurately described the look. Heck, I was SUPER tempted to take a cell phone picture of me in those jeans (because I was THAT excited)… but decided against it. LOL
Thanks… you rock! 😀
Another great post! I need to remember those things when the scale doesn’t do what I want.
I love the big picture. I HATE my scale (I swear it lies to me on a daily basis and has it out for me for cursing at it too much). I have been basing my journey on how I feel and how my clothes are fitting. I love that you have found your spark again and I hope you carry that spark with you always!
LOL Your scale and mine must be BFF’s because I am sure mine lies to me too! 😉
So true! I used to OBSESS about the number on the scale and I would do anything to make it go down. Now I’m focused on being healthy insteady of skinny. The only time I step on a scale is in the doctor’s office and I get on backwards so I don’t even know what it says. I don’t need to know. How I feel and the positive changes in my body are all the proof I need.
You didn’t get the jeans? I hear camel toe is the new black. 🙂
LOL!!! I was SO tempted to purchase them… just for the simple fact that it would be something to have as a physical goal IN MY CLOSET to remind me of my progress and goals. 🙂 But… the negatives of those squeezed in, zipped up, buttoned jeans were NOT PRETTY! LOL
Interesting read. I’ve done scale and measuring tape! This Sunday I’m going to get the real scoop with a body scan. I’ll let you know how that goes.