Before embarking on a weight loss program, it’s common for most people to weigh themselves on a weighing scale. While there is nothing wrong with that, a weighing scale only gives you a very general idea of weight loss. Let’s see how your photos and measuring tape can by your new weight loss accountability partners.
It doesn’t tell you much about body composition or how many inches you’ve lost. A weighing scale is also all about numbers… and numbers are boring. It’s easy to obsess about numbers, and not see the big picture.
In this article, we’ll look at two other ways to track your weight loss. These methods are far more effective than the weighing scale.
• Photos
With everyone’s face glued to mobile phone screens these days, just about anybody has access to a camera phone. Always take 3 photos of your body before you start on your weight loss journey.
The first photo will be from the front, the second one will be a profile shot and the third will be with your back facing the camera. Of course, you’ll want to be topless or in minimal clothing, so you can see just how much weight you’re carrying and where it’s being stored.
Once that is done, you can start on your weight loss diet and training program. After that you’ll take the 3 photos of yourself every three weeks or once a month, in the same attire.
When you look back on the photos, you’ll be able to see just how far you’ve come. Photos never lie. By your second or third month, you’ll be stunned when you compare your latest photos with the ones you took when you first started.
Photos give you an emotional connection to your journey. A weighing scale is not a good way to track your weight loss because it doesn’t show you how much progress you’ve made.
If all you do is use a weighing scale, in the event you gain a pound or two during your journey, you’ll get discouraged and be tempted to throw in the towel. If you have photos to motivate and encourage you, you’ll realize that you didn’t come this far to quit… and you’ll keep going.
Keep taking photos at intervals and have a record of the dates. Do it right up to the day when you reach your weight loss goal.
• Tape measure
A tape measure should be used to record measurements around specific body parts. You’ll want to record the measurements around your chest, waist, hips and your thighs.
Write down the measurements in a journal to serve as a record. After 3 weeks to a month, you may measure yourself again and see how many inches you’ve lost. This will give you a good estimate of your body composition.
A weighing scale can’t tell you if you’ve lost 2 pounds of fat and gained 2 pounds of muscle. On the scale, your numbers will be the same.
However, measuring tape can tell you if you’ve lost fat and gained muscle. Your body will be smaller because muscle is denser than fat and takes up less space. So, while your weight is the same, you are smaller.
Use both these methods along with a weighing scale so that you have a good, balanced record of your progress. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, but when combined, they will serve as accountability partners to give you an idea of your progress. If you don’t measure it, you won’t improve it. So let’s get to it – The photos and measuring tape, your new weight loss accountability partners. Give it a try and you will see the results.
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This website is written by a regular human. I am not a Health Professional. Please get professional medical advice for your specific health needs.