A friend of mine griped the other day about not losing weight despite exercising 4-5 times a week and eating healthier. She acknowledged a loss of inches, but associates success with dropping numbers on the scale.

This is just one of the reasons why I dislike scales and don’t even own one. For those of you who are discouraged and ready to give up your exercising and eating clean efforts simply because you’re not getting lighter, pleeeease don’t!!!!

When someone says, “I’ve lost weight,” what does that mean, really? Is that weight water? Fat? Muscle?

We don’t want to lose muscle weight. Muscle is what burns most calories and boosts your metabolism. Muscle is what gives you that toned and cut look – Exhibit A: MizFit’s arms. Muscles like those don’t magically grow from Twinkie consumption.

Muscle is also heavier, yet denser, than fat. This means muscle takes up less space (yay) but weighs more (potentially discouraging).

A better determination of your progress would be a body fat composition analysis. Many gyms offer this test with skin calipers. Some medical centers or universities offer more accurate (and extensive and pricey) methods through dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or hydrostatic weighing.

More conveniently, get out the tape measure and measure yourself.  Keep a record of your progress. Losing inches can mean a leaner body despite the scale refusing to budge.

Also, how are your clothes fitting? Are they feeling loose these days?  That's a real easy way to gauge your fat blasting progress.

And speaking of feeling, how do you feel? Do you feel leaner, more energetic? Can you exercise longer, go faster, life heavier? If yes, you’re getting fitter, and that’s nothing to get discouraged about! So, even  if those pesky numbers on the scale aren't dropping like you expect, keep exercising, keep working on your eating habits, and don't ever give up!

Photo credit: pontuse

Originally posted 2008-05-07 08:18:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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