Using non-scale victories to measure and celebrate weight-loss progress
- 1 Minute Read
Non-scale victories often go unnoticed but can be another important way to celebrate progress and success with your goals.
What are non-scale victories?
Rather than relying on the scale, non-scale victories focus on other health outcomes–how your body or mind feels and how your body functions, for example. Look for improvements in your blood pressure or blood sugar due to dietary changes, or you might feel stronger from regular exercise. Non-scale victories are often related to changes made while working to improve your health.
Why do non-scale measurements work?
Focusing on weight loss alone can sometimes undermine our ability to appreciate success in other areas. This doesn’t mean that weight loss cannot be a goal. However, it is often more complicated than calories in vs. calories out. That scale number is just a snapshot of your weight in a single moment. Motivation lags when you feel the number on the scale does not reflect all of your hard work, so why rely on that alone?
Non-scale victories can keep you feeling positive about your new healthy habits and overall progress toward your goals. These unconventional "measurements" can help you remember that health and wellness go beyond the number on the scale.
Examples of non-scale victories
- Feeling stronger during exercise
- Seeing clothes become looser or fitting more comfortably
- Improved mood
- Seeing inches lost
- Being able to get down on the floor to play with your kids and being able to stand back up
- Better sleep
- Improved health metrics like A1c, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol
- Increased energy
- Spending less time and money at the doctor’s office
- Improved body image and self-esteem
- Developing a healthier relationship with food
Looking for success beyond the scale shows us there is more to health than just weight. Focusing on other signs you're losing weight and improving your health will help you stay on track and motivated. Celebrating these victories is important to remind yourself that your hard work is paying off, and your body and mind are better for it!
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Weight Loss->Goals & Monitoring
Sep 16, 2024
