When it comes to losing weight, we all want to see the needle of the weighing scale point towards a lower number. That is what we have been conditioned to believe as healthy. Now, ask yourself, is it possible to get thinner without seeing a change in the weighing scale? What do you think?

Well, yes, that is possible!! Not weight change, but a reduction in your hips, thighs, belly and arms is common. Why does this reduction not reflect on the scale? This is because we lose fat and gain muscle at the same time, which is a good sign. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism. That means, you burn more fat mass at rest. Knowing this difference between losing body weight and body fat can make you look at your weight loss progress differently.

A typical scale measures your weight, but does not differentiate between fat, muscle, water, body fluids, bones or organ weight. Another reason that a weighing scale is not reliable is because it changes all through the day, and shows you different values at different times in the day. Your weight fluctuates depending on what you eat, drink, how often you visit the bathroom, water retention, and hormonal changes.

A weighing scale also does not reflect what is happening inside your body in terms of your energy levels, mental health, and blood parameters such as your blood sugar levels, lipid levels, thyroid levels, stress hormone cortisol levels and sleep disturbances. These are symptoms which can hamper fat loss. Excess fat mass levels can be the root cause that triggers many of these symptoms, and rectifying these symptoms is a true sign that we are progressing towards a healthy lifestyle.

You should be measuring your success the ‘NEW WAY’-

1. Notice how your clothes fit. If they fit more loosely than yesterday, then you’re on track.
2. Measure yourself once a month. You will be amazed to see the number of inches you have dropped compared to your weight.
3. Blood parameter checks every three months. This helps you understand if you are moving in the right direction. A healthy inside is always a sign of better health than how you look on the outside.
4. Set weekly achievable goals. This makes you feel you have accomplished something, and will be motivated to push yourself more.

If you find the weighing scale demotivating, ditch it!! The moment of truth is in front of you. Weight loss on a weighing scale is not the true measure of success. It just means you are being too hard on yourself. Start living life beyond the weighing scale, and open your mind to unique ways of measuring your success.