Let’s talk about the importance of non-scale victories. It is so easy to get caught up in the numbers on the scale. It can become an obsession when we weigh ourselves every day (or even multiple times per day) and it’s disheartening if the numbers aren’t going the way we want. I’ll have clients come to me upset, sometimes even in tears, because they haven’t lost any or not enough weight on the scale. As a fitness professional and as someone who suffered with multiple eating disorders, it is frustrating when clients cannot see that they are progressing in so many ways, physically and mentally. The scale is not the be-all and end-all of your fitness journey, which is why I want to put things into perspective and share all the amazing things you are doing for your body.
Physical (Outside):
- Leaner appearance
- Clothes fitting better
- Flatter stomach
- Less bloating
- Fresher breath, whiter teeth
- Brighter eyes
- Improved skin
- Stronger hair and nails
- Defined muscle tone
- Improved fitness levels (can exercise longer, harder, faster)
- Stronger, can lift heavier things
- Beating “personal records”
- Trying new activities
- Higher & more even energy levels
Physical (Inside):
- Less stiff and/or painful joints
- Improved immune system
- Improved “regularity”
- Less chronic fatigue
- Improved blood pressure
- Improved cholesterol numbers
- Improved blood sugar regulation
- Improved medical symptoms
- Reduced or eliminated medications
- Recover faster from injury and illness
Mental Health & Psychology
- Improved mental health
- Happier, laugh more
- More outgoing
- More optimistic
- Less anxious and stressed
- Less depressed
- Improved body image
- Improved self-esteem and self-confidence
- Improved attention span and memory
- Generally feel more productive
- Consistent with working out & eating healthy
- Sleeping more
- Improved sleep quality
Food & Behavior
- Healthier relationship with food
- Improved disordered eating habits
- Learning & practicing mindful eating
- Learning how to read nutrition facts & food labels
- Listens to body, eats to satiety
- Abandoned yo-yo or crash dieting
- No longer using food for:
- Comfort
- Punishment
- Reward
- Fewer cravings & having healthy strategies to deal with cravings
- No more food guilt or shame
- More nutrition in diet
- Learn how to cook healthy meals
Source(s):
https://whole30.com/
