Social media is influencing every aspect of our life, and self-esteem is on top of the list. Scrolling through images of already fit individuals with toned bodies and transformational videos with fat-to-fit journeys may be enough to push you to get started on a healthy journey.
But looking like your favourite fitness influencer should not be the only aim. Instead, having a healthy body should be of priority.
Remember, social media is not the best yardstick for progress
Fitness influencers on social media have a straightforward goal, and that is to make content to sustain. They have to look fit, and eat what is deemed healthy. That is their job! But we need to work, clean, cook and run errands. So stop idolizing six-pack abs or dropping 20 lbs in a few weeks. Instead, we should target healthy weight loss with a calculated calorie deficit.
A 2018 study published in the American Psychological Association suggests that exposure to fitness-related content on social media can increase individual body dissatisfaction. Remember this for the next time you are scrolling through Instagram.
Scale weight is not everything
Being overweight or obese comes with the risk of developing severe health problems, such as heart diseases and diabetes. And maintaining a healthy weight can help control these conditions.
But weight is just one of the many parameters that must be considered. Dropping digits on the weighing scale does not mean everything. Losing fat and maintaining muscle should be the goal.
Below are a few signs that you should look out for to track your progress.
6 Signs that are more important than scale weight
Measuring your weight every morning is probably one of the easiest ways to track progress. But we should remember that this is NOT the only way.
1.Clothes fit you better
Even after following a healthy diet and working out regularly you might not see a change on the weighing scale. But what you can definitely notice is that your clothes are fitting you better. This is the best sign you can ask for. You are losing fat and toning muscles, leading to a leaner body. Which is the final goal anyways!
Reduction in inches is far better than reduction on the scale weight.
2.You feel stronger
With regular workouts your muscle strength and endurance is getting better. You feel stronger and are lifting heavier weights, breaking your personal best records and enjoying your workouts. Gym is not a place you fear anymore. Sure, it might not be your favorite, but at least it doesn’t make you cringe.
Getting stronger also means being more agile and having better posture and balance.
Strength increases when your macros are in check. You can hit your protein goals with the best low sodium protein powders, without disrupting the rest of your daily nutrition.
3.You feel more energetic
You do regular activities with a lot more ease than before and dont feel tired or lethargic at the end of the day. You don’t mind active weekends anymore, and definitely don’t mind trying out new activities.
Feeling energetic also means being able to be more active around the house. This includes stuff like playing with the kids, doing the laundry or cooking for the family.
We do end up missing workouts sometimes, so having a compact elliptical at home can help you keep the energy levels high by getting a quick workout at home.
4.You’re sleeping better
Exercise promotes good sleep and you can see that yourself. You are sleeping better and waking up fresh. With reduced body aches in the morning you know that your body is getting healthier.
A major reason for sleeping better is that exercise helps in relieving stress, and that bring me to my next point.
5.You are happier
Exercising regularly reduces stress, makes you feel lighter, and gives you a feeling of accomplishment. All these work towards making you feel better about yourself resulting in a happier you.
The compliments coming your way because you look leaner and fitter only adds to the happiness.
6.You feel more confident
With a strong body and a happy mind, confidence is ought to follow. You feel in control of your health and your life, more beautiful from the inside and confident to take on any challenge. This positive state of mind is definitely more important than just seeing the number on the weight scale go down. I am sure you agree with me!
The path toward losing weight can be slightly demotivating due to the social influences, and scale weight plateaus. But the above signs are better markers of progress when on a weight loss journey. So keep going, and the results will surely follow.
Wriiten by: Khushali Shah, Co-owner of healthyandkhush.com
Hi, I’m Khushali. I have struggled with weight loss my whole life. Having lost over 25kgs in the last few years, I have learnt a thing or 2 about weight loss and healthy living. I love to share science based tips and hacks that have worked for me through my blogs.
