Don't just go by the number on the scale!

Weight can certainly be an excellent source of feedback for fitness levels and physical health, but it should not be the only way you evaluate your health. This is because sometimes a woman does not necessarily need to lose weight as much as she needs to shrink fat cells and increase muscle mass. These changes can improve your body fat percentage and may result in a healthier body even if you weigh more than you did before you began your weight loss journey.

Stepping on a scale during a weight loss program and seeing an increase in weight can be detrimental if the source of the increased weight is not carefully evaluated. Have you ever been excited to weigh yourself after a week of dieting because you think you are already seeing results, only to be disappointed by an increase in weight or no weight loss at all? This happens to a lot of women and can be discouraging for women who are not aware of other ways to evaluate their fitness program. Body measurements are one excellent way to evaluate progress. Take measurements in a variety of locations: chest, waist, hips, thigh, calf, bicep, and forearm. You can add additional measurements for any other location you prefer. A decrease in these measurements indicates the program is working even if the scale is not showing an overall weight loss just yet.

You can also buy a pair of jeans a size or two smaller than your current size to evaluate your fitness program. Try on these jeans each week and note how well they fit. You should notice some improvement each week and can reward yourself with a new pair of shoes when you can finally fit into these jeans. Although you are now a size or two smaller, your weight may not have decreased noticeably. This is perfectly understandable especially if you have added muscle mass to your frame.