How to Measure Success During Weight Loss

When you're trying to lose weight, it's important to measure success of weight loss. This ensures that you are meeting your goals and will also inspire you to keep going. Choose to look at weight loss successes from many different angles. If you choose just one, such as the number on the scale, you won't see the whole picture. Remember that many small accomplishments in weight loss add up to a healthier you. The more you know about where you stand, the easier it is to keep up a weight loss program.

Things You'll Need

• Scale
• Body fat monitor
• Notebook or calendar

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Instructions

• 1

  Set goals to measure your success. It's important to understand where you are starting from and where you want to go. Create one big weight loss goal and several other smaller ones. For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds overall, set goals to lose 10 pounds along the way. Don't only think about weight loss in terms of pounds. You can also set goals to fit into a certain size, lose inches from your waist or improve your physical fitness.

• 2

  Use a scale to monitor your weight. The scale is probably the most common way to see weight loss success. Once a week, get on the scale to see if your weight has dropped. Try not to be disappointed if you don't see much change. If you are increasing muscle mass at the same time as losing fat, the your weight may not move.

• 3

  Take your body measurements on a weekly basis. Body measurements can show you a weight loss that's not showing up on the scale. At the very least, take measurements of your chest, waist and hips. You may want to measure arms and thighs as well.

• 4

  Check your body fat percentages for improvement. Your body fat monitor shows what percentage of your body is fat. Advanced scales will measure your body fat in addition to your weight, but you can also measure body fat with calipers. A doctor's office sometimes has more advanced ways of measuring body fat, but it's not necessary to go to the doctor to measure body fat regularly.

• 5

  Feel the difference in your clothes. As you lose weight, one of the most telling signs will be that your clothes fit differently. You can see your success in losing weight simply by noting how your clothes become looser.

• 6

  Try to do more difficult activities. When you increase your physical activity to lose weight, you become better and better at physical activities. Challenge yourself to see if you can improve weekly. Keep an exercise journal and try to break your own "records." Note how weight loss makes physical activities easier.