Weighing vs Measuring for Fat Loss
How do you determine if you are really losing weight? Do you weigh yourself daily? weekly? monthly?
Do you take measurements with tape measure and get your body fat determined?
Do you go by how your clothes are fitting?
Do you use all of the above?
Right after I sit down with my clients and talk about their goals, I weigh them, determine their body fat and then take measurements in 8 different places. THEN I tell them that I do not want them stepping on a scale for the next 4 weeks until we take measurements again.
Some of them do, some of them don’t. But the ones that do are the ones that get frustrated because they don’t see the scale moving down.
First off, I feel a general amount of time to see a significant amount of change can take up to 3 months. The first 3 months, your body is adjusting to your new workouts, your metabolism is getting “fixed” and things are starting to move around. That is why after 4 weeks, we redo all the things we did before. Then if there isn’t a whole lot of weight loss, there is usually some body fat loss and inches lost and this is some positive reinforcement.
You also need to remember that muscle weighs more than fat, and while you will be building up muscle, your weight might not change that much, but you will be burning more fat, which will show up when you get your body fat determined.
Myself, I step on the scale about every 2 months and usually go by how my clothes are fitting. I will check my body fat about every month, just to make sure I am still in a range of where I want to be.
So stay away from the scale if you can and get your body fat taken. Here is an online body fat calculator that will give you some idea of where you are at and where you are going! Take some pictures and measurements and use them as a way to see how well you are doing with your fitness plan.
How do you determine if you are moving closer to your goals?
Angie Schumacher is a Certified Fitness Professional who trains clients in her home and is a Women's Boot Camp Instructor in Colorado. She is the author of The Fat Blasting Boot Camp Program and has offered a one stop website to help you with all of your health and fitness needs. Please visit www.BuildingABetterU.com to find exactly what you are looking for!
Popularity: 2% [?]
Good job angie. Nice tips too. The body fat calculator is great too
I basically stay away from the scale too. I go more by what I see in the mirror and by how my pants are fitting. I like to suggest that folks stay off the scale too… especially when I have them doing refeeds every week or every other week.
JCs last blog post..Lyle McDonald’s Bulking Routine
The scale really can kill motivation. Some poeple live by the scale, when it’s inches that matter! Great article.
DietDorm.coms last blog post..Top Fat Burning Foods
Great post! I completely agree about staying away from the scale. Muscle weighs more than fat, I’ve even gained weight from working out. But, my body fat always seems to redistribute itself making my clothes fit better. And I feel better! Weight is really not a good indicator for most people.
Carlies last blog post..Do You Remember the Electric Football Game?
Thank you for this post! I have to share it with a few friends! This seems to be an on going topic..They think that they have to weigh themselves everyday. I do not. I agree with your post! Maybe they will get the point now..let’s hope!!
http://fatblastingbootcamp.ning.com/
@Kelly~ Tell them to throw those scales away!!LOL