Most adults get to the gym with the goal of losing weight. This is because the doctor said they must lose weight in order to solve their health issues.
As a result, they tend to use the weight scale as a way to measure progress.
Now let me explain some some reasons why the scale is not the best tool for you. I will also show you better ways to measure your fitness progress after 40.
A Scale Doesn’t Tell the Full Story.
First of all your weight scale does not tell the full story of how your body is changing
It only shows your total body weight (including muscle, fat, water, bone, organs and so on).
A scale does not tell you what’s changing inside your body at all as you exercise.
Secondl, Exercise Builds Muscle and Burns Fat
When you exercise regularly, you may lose fat, but gain muscle: depending on the kinds of physical activities or exercises you do. Exercising with weights builds muscles and increases muscle mass and weight.
Muscle is about three times denser or heavier than fat, so your weight might not drop much.
However, your body is actually becomes leaner and stronger and more efficient at breaking down fats for energy.
As you exercise regularly, your breathing and circulation improve, and you gain more endurance. Your waste management, immune, nervous, skeletal and all the other functional systems get better.
While these cannot be measured by the scale, they are what determine your state of health and quality of life.
Other benefits matter more than weight loss
As I said earlier, regular exercise improves things the scale can’t measure,
Like what…?
Improved cardiovascular system which mean stronger heart, better circulation, better ventilation (breathing), Translating into lower blood pressure and reduced risk for cardiovascular diseao,
Your basal metabolism improves, meaning that your body burns more calories (sugars and fats) even while you’re at rest; sitting or sleeping. This makes it easy to burn excess calories you may have eaten and reduce the chances of becoming over fat again.
You get stronger bones and muscles, more resposive nerves and more flexible joints. These attributes determine your physical independence and quality of health as you age.
You also experience better mood and energy through out your days when you exercise regularly
You experience improved fitness. That is you’re able to do things without undue fatigue. These are the basis for a fulfilling productive and happier life I your adulthood.
BETTER WAYS TO MEASURE OUTCOMES OF EXERCISE
When the doctors say you must lose weight most often than not it’s because you’re over fat. You must lose some fats and gain some muscles..
The easiest way to know how fast you’re losing fats is to check how your clothes fit on you
As you lose fats you become leaner and smaller so your clothes become bigger on you.
Body Composition
This refers to the percentage of fat in your body compared to that of the none fat part (ie. Muscles, Bones, fluid, etc.)
Now there are some gadgets(including some electronic scales) that can measure the percentage of fat, muscles mass, visceral fats (ie. Fats surrounding your internal organs and spaces) and dip on.
Use the same scale for needles and after yup ensue reliability.
Your Physical Fitness Levels
Muscles strength and endurance can be measured how many push-ups or squats or deadlifts or bench press you’re able to do add you go along.
Cardiovascular improvements Cam be measured by how long glory can walk or run or ride or row or swing kettlebell and so on over time…
You can again measure improvements in your flexibility by checking the range of motion your major joints.
For example you can check the mobolity around you hip joint by sitting with your knees straight and reaching for your toes. If you can’t touch your toes then you’ll want to be able to get close top it, touch toes or hey your fingers tip pass your toes without bending your knee over time.
Check Your Vitals Regularly
As you grow it becomes more important to check on health markers such as blood pressure, blood sugar control, cholesterol levels at regular intervals. Also check your Energy levels, quality of sleep, your mood etc.
So just to put it in short.
“The scale can be misleading. If you’re exercising, you might lose fat but gain muscle at the same time. That means your body is getting leaner, healthier, and stronger, even if your weight doesn’t change very much.
That’s why it’s better to track how your clothes fit, your strength, your health markets energy, and your health — not just the number on the scale.”
Keep moving…!
In fitness name