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How to measure Progress
Weighing yourself on a
scale alone does not give you a complete measurement of progress. Many
individuals regularly step on the scale and get discouraged when the
scale shows little or no movement. Since you are gaining muscle as well
as losing fat the scale does not completely measure your progress. Your
weight might stay the same or even increase a few pounds, especially the
first month or two. Your weight may also vary from day to day depending
on your water intake, drinking, and hormonal changes. The time of day
can also cause your weight to change. It is best to weight yourself at
the same time, each time you weigh. You can use the scale, but do it
sparingly and in conjunction with other methods. Exploring other methods
of measuring progress is necessary to obtain a true measure of your
results.
It is important for your weight-loss plan to include
weight training. If you
simply focus on cardiovascular exercises, you may lose
metabolism-boosting lean muscle mass as well as fat. When you train with
weights, you can burn even more calories. Lifting weights also helps
tone your muscles, which keeps you from looking flat or droopy.
Methods to
Measure Progress
Tape Measure
Measuring
yourself with a tape measure is the best way to tell how many inches you
are losing. Make sure you are consistent when measuring yourself. If
you measure yourself while your muscles are relaxed the first time, make
sure they are relaxed the next time you measure. Measure your chest,
arms, waist, hips, thighs, and calves. Record these numbers in a
notebook or
measurement log,
and date each entry.
Take a good look at yourself
Look at yourself before you step into the shower. This will give you a clear picture of your progress. Look at yourself with and without a mirror.
How do your clothes
fit?
You can also measure progress by the way your clothes fit. As you lose
fat, you will notice extra room in your clothing. Losing fat and
gaining muscle helps your clothes fit better. This can be an effective
way to measure progress. This process only works if your clothes have
not shrunk from washing or drying them.
Body fat percentage
There are several ways to measure your body-fat percentage; the most
common methods are calipers or bioelectrical impedance equipment.
Calipers are used to measure different pinches of skin on various parts
of your body. It is best to let a professional measure it for you.
Bioelectrical impedance measures body-fat by placing electrodes on the
hands and feet that sends a small electric current through the body.
The current will move faster through lean muscle tissue than it will
through fat. The reason is because muscle contains 70 to 75 percent
water while fat contains only 10 to 20 percent water. The current moves
through the water in your body. This measurement, along with your
height, weight, and body type are used to calculate your body-fat
percentage.
Different factors can affect the reading, including the time of day the
test is administered, your hydration level, whether you just ate,
caffeine, and alcohol consumption prior to the test. The best time to
perform this test is during the late afternoon or early evenings. This
is normally a couple of hours after eating lunch and before dinner.
Log It
Keeping a training log is a great way to track your progress. Track
information such as your measurements, body fat, and weight. Keep track
of your workout routines, including the amount of pounds and reps.
Write down the distance, the duration, and your intensity of the cardio
workouts.
Keeping a food diary helps monitor you’re eating patterns. Include your portion sizes as well as how many grams of protein, carbohydrates, and fat you’re eating at each meal. By tracking your workouts and diet you can monitor your improvements.
- Using methods other than the scale is beneficial in judging how your weight-loss plan is working for you. If your program needs changing, your tape measure, body-fat percentage, and training and diet logs will help you understand what needs to change.
- It is best to use all of the methods to get an accurate picture of your progress.