Losing weight comes with its own motivation. The more you see the number on the scale go down, the more motivation you have to stick with the workout and food plan you've been following so diligently.
But what happens when the weight loss slows down or stops, even temporarily? We've all hit the dreaded plateau at times and it can be a motivation killer. That's when it becomes important to not just focus on your scale, but also on the signs that you're much healthier than when you started.
You're better, faster, stronger
Everyone has their own milestones when it comes to exercise gains. It could as simple as not breathing heavily whenever you walk up and down stairs, or it could mean running a certain distance without stopping. Celebrate those activities that you were once unable to do.
Your body composition has changed
If you're doing a lot of strength training the scale might not move downward as quickly as you'd hoped, because you've gained muscle (along with losing fat). But investing in a smart scale, or a set of body calipers that enable you to measure body fat, can help you really see your improvements.
Your clothes fit better
There's nothing better than fitting comfortably into clothing that had become too tight. Have you lost inches from your waist and other parts of your body? It's a great indicator of the positive impact you've made on your health.
You no longer dread working out
There may have been times, especially in the beginning, when you felt like you had to drag yourself to the gym. There may be days when you still feel that way, but chances are you look forward to your workouts and actually miss them when you can't be there. That it's become a habit and part of your regular routine is progress in itself.
Exercise is part of your identity
Your weight-loss journey has probably made you part of a fitness community, whether it's a yoga class, high intensity interval training, and more. In other words, exercise has become part of your identity.
You pass up your favorite 'bad' food
We all have foods that we find it hard to say no to. It could be chips, cookies, cupcakes, a fast food hamburger and fries, you name it. But now you're able to resist those foods and maybe are even a bit repulsed by the thought of eating them. Again, that's progress.
The Downtown Athletic Club of Amarillo is a professional, upscale club that focuses on group fitness, personal training, nutrition, and more. The DAC offers personal training seven days a the week.
But what happens when the weight loss slows down or stops, even temporarily? We've all hit the dreaded plateau at times and it can be a motivation killer. That's when it becomes important to not just focus on your scale, but also on the signs that you're much healthier than when you started.
You're better, faster, stronger
Everyone has their own milestones when it comes to exercise gains. It could as simple as not breathing heavily whenever you walk up and down stairs, or it could mean running a certain distance without stopping. Celebrate those activities that you were once unable to do.
Your body composition has changed
If you're doing a lot of strength training the scale might not move downward as quickly as you'd hoped, because you've gained muscle (along with losing fat). But investing in a smart scale, or a set of body calipers that enable you to measure body fat, can help you really see your improvements.
Your clothes fit better
There's nothing better than fitting comfortably into clothing that had become too tight. Have you lost inches from your waist and other parts of your body? It's a great indicator of the positive impact you've made on your health.
You no longer dread working out
There may have been times, especially in the beginning, when you felt like you had to drag yourself to the gym. There may be days when you still feel that way, but chances are you look forward to your workouts and actually miss them when you can't be there. That it's become a habit and part of your regular routine is progress in itself.
Exercise is part of your identity
Your weight-loss journey has probably made you part of a fitness community, whether it's a yoga class, high intensity interval training, and more. In other words, exercise has become part of your identity.
You pass up your favorite 'bad' food
We all have foods that we find it hard to say no to. It could be chips, cookies, cupcakes, a fast food hamburger and fries, you name it. But now you're able to resist those foods and maybe are even a bit repulsed by the thought of eating them. Again, that's progress.
The Downtown Athletic Club of Amarillo is a professional, upscale club that focuses on group fitness, personal training, nutrition, and more. The DAC offers personal training seven days a the week.
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