Weight Loss - Stop Focusing on Pounds So Much

Many people who are trying to lose weight make the common mistake of focusing too much on the number of pounds they've lost or gained. This is not a very accurate way of gauging "weight loss," as there are a number of factors that affect the reading on the scale - muscle weighs more than fat, water weight, etc. Below are two, more accurate ways of measuring your progress.

Measurements - Maybe it is the extra work involved when taking tape measurements that keeps most people from doing it. They would rather have a quick and convenient way of gauging, such as stepping on a scale. But tape measurements are actually a better way to determine whether you have gained or lost weight. On a weekly basis, you should take your waste, hip, and thigh measurements and record them in a journal to help track your progress. The smaller the measurements, the more weight you have lost. And here's something important to keep in mind: if you are a male and have a waist that is larger than 40 inches, or are a female and have a waist that is larger than 35 inches, you have a higher risk for serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Belt Holes - If you are just too lazy to take your tape measurements, here is a simpler way to gauge your weight loss. Count the number of holes it takes to get your belt to hold up your pants. The more holes you can bypass, the more weight you have lost. Of course, don't lie to yourself and cinch up really tight to the point that you are feeling uncomfortable. If you are not really into wearing belts, you can gauge your weight loss by seeing if you are fitting into smaller or larger fitting pants.

Blake M Talvitz has been writing articles for 5 years, covering a number of topics such as health, fitness, home and garden, and business management. Her latest blogs are about name badge ribbons and garden swing cushions.

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