How to Track Your Progress – And Ditch the Scale

Deciding to get fit is a great step towards a healthier and happier lifestyle. However, using a scale to measure progress when it comes to weight loss for women often brings much more negativity and discouragement than support – often triggering unhealthy behaviours. So, it’s time to break free from the scale-centric approach and explore alternative and more meaningful ways to track your fitness journey! Here are some no-scale ways to see your progress from our fitness hub in Highett (which is a women only gym too!).

#1 – Picture Perfect Progress

The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to tracking your fitness journey. While it may feel uncomfortable to take pictures of yourself, especially when you’re not feeling your best, these images can tell a powerful and inspiring story.

Regularly capture full-body photos and, over time, compare them to witness the visible transformations. Unlike the mirror, where subtle changes might go unnoticed, photographs provide a clear before-and-after perspective, serving as a potent motivator to keep working out at your women only gym.

#2 – Measure What Matters

Investing in a simple tape measure can be a game-changer in tracking your progress. Instead of fixating on the numbers on a scale, focus on measurements from various areas of your body.

Track key areas like your waist, hips, thighs, and arms. Record these measurements in a dedicated journal or on a fitness tracking app. As you witness changes in these numbers, you’ll have tangible evidence of your journey, showcasing the transformation that goes beyond mere weight.

#3 – Fitness Assessments

Rather than fixating on reducing numbers on a scale, why not channel your energy into increasing specific fitness metrics?

Start by conducting a fitness assessment at our fitness hub in Highett to establish a baseline for your strength and endurance. Measure how many push-ups you can perform with proper form or determine the weight you can lift in exercises like squats or deadlifts.

Record these baseline numbers and revisit them periodically to observe improvements. Additionally, challenge yourself to decrease the time it takes for you to complete a mile run. Watching these fitness numbers improve can be highly motivating and can shift your focus away from scale-centric goals.

#4 – The Clothing Fit Test

One of the most tangible and practical indicators of progress when it comes to weight loss for women is the fit of your clothes!

Pay close attention to how your garments sit on your body throughout your fitness and nutrition program. Notice if your clothes become baggy or if you find yourself needing a belt to keep your jeans from slipping down. Observe changes in areas like “bra fat,” noting whether there’s a reduction in bulging around your bra straps.

The way your clothes fit provides a real-time measure of your wellness success, offering a tangible and scale-free perspective on your journey.

#5 – Celebrate Non-Scale Victories

In addition to the tangible measures we mentioned, it’s also important to celebrate the non-scale victories that contribute to your overall well-being.

Rather than being focussed solely on the goals associated with weight loss for women, take note of increased energy levels, improved sleep quality, enhanced mood, and elevated confidence. These qualitative improvements are equally, if not more, important than numerical metrics.

Recognising and appreciating these non-scale victories reinforces the holistic benefits of your fitness journey.

In conclusion, liberate yourself from the constraints of the scale and embrace alternative methods to track your fitness progress. From visual evidence in photographs to tangible measurements, fitness assessments, and clothing fit, these approaches provide a comprehensive and empowering perspective on your journey.

Remember, the ultimate goal is not just a number on the scale but a holistic sense of well-being and vitality. Your fitness journey is unique, and by focusing on diverse indicators of progress, you’ll discover a more fulfilling and sustainable path to a healthier you!

Come visit our fitness hub in Highett and see how we make weight loss for women more sustainable, healthy, and empowering in a welcoming women only gym!