Progress Goes Beyond Just The Scale!
THIS WEEK
What Does Progress Look Like?
“You can’t improve what you don’t measure.”
It’s true – if you want to see progress, you need to measure your progress. But what does that mean when it comes to your fitness and nutrition goals? Aside from measuring performance, what should you focus on to ensure you are moving in the right direction?
Many people obsess over the number on the scale, but is that the best way to track progress, or should you focus on something else?
Let’s dive in!
Progress Goes Beyond Just The Scale!
The number on the scale can tell if you are losing weight, but how useful is that piece of information on its own?
When people start a new fitness or nutrition routine, it is often because they are trying to lose X lbs. But, in most cases, what they really want is to improve their body composition, which requires burning fat and building lean muscle.
Since muscle weighs more than fat, the number on the scale can sometimes be deceiving. You may be progressing, but the number on the scale might not change or even go up. Your clothes may fit better, and you could be losing inches off your waist, but the number on the scale just won’t budge.
This is why body fat percentage is a better biometric to measure your progress.
And then there is also biofeedback you could keep track of. Fitness and nutrition shouldn’t be all about how you look or how your clothes fit. Most of us also want to feel better, which is where biofeedback comes in.
How is your digestion? Did those pesky afternoon headaches go away? Do you still get heartburn after dinner? How would you rate your mood and energy levels? Are you having an easier time falling asleep and staying asleep?
There are all great data points to look at when trying to paint a complete picture of how much progress you are making by following a specific exercise or nutrition plan.
Remember – it doesn’t just boil down to a number on the scale.
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ONE THING TO TRY THIS WEEK
What nutrition or fitness goals did you set for yourself at the beginning of the year?
Now that we are over half of the way through 2023, how have you progressed toward those goals?
Are you happy with where you are today, or have you taken a few steps forward and a few steps back?
And more importantly, how are you measuring your progress? Are you just weighing yourself using the bathroom scale once a week? Or are you also keeping track of how you feel?
This week, commit to not looking at the scale and instead focus on one piece of biofeedback you want to improve. That could be your digestion, energy, or mood levels. Whatever it is, pick one thing and then choose ONE corresponding habit you want to work on.
So if you want to improve digestion, commit to more fiber by adding veggies to every meal. If you want to improve your energy or mood levels, try replacing carb-heavy breakfast foods with a more balanced meal to start your day.
Give that a try for a week, and you might be surprised by how much real progress you see without having to worry about the scale.
NUTRITION + ACCOUNTABILITY
Open Spots for 1-on-1 Nutrition Coaching!
One way to get the most out of your efforts when it comes to nutrition is to work with a coach that can help you come up with a plan and hold you accountable.
If you want to work 1-on-1 with a Brigade Made nutrition coach, you can click the button and set up a FREE consult!
