Hopefully you haven’t already logged into your Amazon Prime account and bought a brand-new scale to help keep you on track. But if you have or you already dusted off your old one, that’s still okay…but, I have some great health advice for you. Ready?.. Throw that darn scale out your bathroom window. Just get rid of it! That’s right!
You see, I know we all strive to being healthier. It’s easy to get discouraged when starting a new fitness regimen or trying to lose weight. Why? Well, because you can hit weight loss plateaus and feel frustrated when the number on the scale doesn’t go down as fast as you had hoped. But, getting in shape isn’t just about a number—it’s about your overall health. It means having more energy AND being able to fit into your favorite jeans.
So, can we make a pact? Can we all agree that instead of constantly obsessing over those three numbers, we will be PROUD of the positive changes within our body that come from making healthier choices? You will strive to get a better understanding on how to avoid the same mistakes that are the reason as to why 92% percent of people in any given year to NEVER achieve their new year’s resolution health goals. Don’t let your scale dictate your mood when your great health is so much more than just a number.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the scale doesn’t have its place. It does, especially if you’re tracking your weight-loss progress. But, spending too much time focusing on the number can discourage you.
Often times when you think you’ve dropped weight after a strict diet and sticking to your exercise plan, you discover you haven’t lost as much as you thought you have, or you don’t see the number you were hoping to see.
So, if you dread stepping on the scale, instead of getting disheartened by what you weigh, why not resolve to monitor your great health and great fitness in a more positive light during 2018?
Here are 5 ways you can track your progress after throwing those bathroom scales out the window.
#1 Energy Levels
Taking note of whether you feel sluggish or if you’re like me, still full of mom’s homemade tamales, can be a good indicator of your overall health.
Chances are, if you’re eating healthy, drinking plenty of water and exercising daily, you’ll be feeling the benefits. You’ll feel more alert, have a better night’s sleep and won’t feel that afternoon slump so many of us suffer from.
Feeling healthy is the first step in looking and feeling your best. So don’t brush off the inside-out effects of your new lifestyle, even if weight loss is your main goal.
#2 Sleep
We spend close to a third of our lives doing it, and when we get enough of it… We feel great!
It’s a fact that we need sleep for our physical, mental and emotional health. The number of hours you sleep is important, but the quality of sleep is VITAL.
If you’re unable to get a good night sleep it could be a sign that you’re not experiencing great health and fitness.
Studies have been saying for years now that frequent aerobic exercise can lead to a better night sleep, warding off insomnia and boosting your energy levels during the day.
Also, cutting down on alcohol and stimulants like cigarettes and caffeine before bed should help you drift off easier. And if make time for yourself with a quick yoga routine before you switch the lights off.
If you are getting quality sleep, that’s a great sign that you’re doing something right. Remember, how we start our day, is just as important as how we end it.
#3 Mood
Did you know that your mood is closely linked to healthy eating and fueling your body.
Of course, we all have days when we feel worn out from a busy week at work or when the kids are home during a break from school. In general, healthy people are able to bounce back, feel good and maintain a fair amount of energy.
If you’re in a good mood, that’s great! It can be a reflection of good health. But on the other hand, if you’re feeling a little low, or you’ve got a short fuse, this can be a sign that it’s time to make some lifestyle changes.
Losing your temper can happen when your blood sugar is low, so eating balanced meals is key. Also adding more exercise into your week can help release those feel-good chemicals.
#4 Strength
As we age, the number on the scale seems LESS relevant than our ability to DO MORE. Strength equals the ability to maintain your self-worth, independence and stamina! When you start a new exercise regimen that includes weight training, you WANT to add muscle. That’s right! And while that muscle might register on the scale as increased weight and lead you to think you’re not seeing results, you can lose fat and gain muscle at the same time—it’s actually the ideal scenario!
You’ll notice your jeans fitting better, you will have more energy and BE STRONGER. You may notice that the number on the scale still might not budge or maybe even increase a bit. And that’s okay! When you’re able to do more activities throughout the day or lift more weight in your workout sessions as the weeks go by, your body is getting stronger. Let your newfound strength empower you! You can now do MORE with your body than you once could, and that’s amazing!
#5 Skin Complexion
You may have spent money on creams and lotions to make your skin stay looking younger, when younger-looking skin is often a natural byproduct of exercise. How your skin looks can also be a reflection of what’s going on inside your body. Did you know it’s the biggest organ in the body? When we don’t get enough exercise, it can start to show on your face—literally.
Here’s a little-known secret; people over 40 who exercise frequently have skin closer in composition to that of 20-and 30-year-olds? That’s right! When you start to take care of your inner health, it often affects your outer beauty as well. Even having more energy and simply feeling better can make us glow from the inside out—and that’s something to smile about. How else do you think I have maintained my “baby face”? Just kidding.. All the credit goes to mom passing down some great genes.
But regardless of father time, with hundreds of skin problems, there’s multiple signs that your skin can indicate you’re not experiencing great health. Two of the most common signs being paleness and itchy skin.
So, pay attention to how radiant (or not so radiant) your skin looks, and switch up your lifestyle habits if need be.
Put simply, the scale doesn’t measure how much better you look and feel, if you can walk the stairs without losing your breath, how strong you’re becoming or if you can play with your kids or grandkids for hours.
On your fitness journey, don’t let the number on the scale rule your life and how you feel. Ff the number on the scale isn’t moving, consider first how your new, healthier choices are making you feel. Do you have more energy? A more positive mood? How are your clothes fitting? Are you getting stronger and being able to do more without feeling like you are out of breath? Judge your progress by “health” instead and you’ll learn how to listen to your body and your efforts will pay off.
Conclusion
So, there you have it… Five things you can very easily put into action in your day as soon as today. This will allow you to track your progress and enjoy great health. At the end of the day, when you start to care for yourself with exercise and healthy choices, ask yourself this: “What are your real goals?” What do you want?”… And you will feel better about yourself. And that’s worth more than any number.
Here’s to an amazing, successful and prosperous 2018!
Dedicated to your great health,
Dr. Oscar Andalon
P.S. For more amazing information on ways you can stick to healthy habits and feel great no matter what age you are, click on our free reports below:
For more than 16 years, thousands of athletes, fitness enthusiasts and active people of all ages, levels and sports including Olympic medalists, professional, collegiate and recreational athletes have consulted Oscar; looking for answers to concerning questions about a fast end to their pain and best ways to improving performance.
Prior to living in Carlsbad, CA, he worked as Clinic Director for a 20,000 sq.ft. sports physical therapy and performance center. He became known as the “athlete whisperer” in the Pacific Northwest by becoming the leading sports performance enhancement physical therapist and CrossFit injury rehab and performance specialist. He also was known as a consultant to the Nike WHQ in Portland, OR.
Oscar’s passion for excelling in sports earned him the opportunity to compete in soccer both at the Division 1 collegiate level at the University of San Francisco and at the professional level playing for the California Jaguars; giving him the understanding and experience of knowing what it takes to perform and excel at the highest level of competition. Oscar is an orthopedic and sports performance specialist with a true passion for helping athletes and fitness fanatics of all ages and divisions, serving as an educator to bridge the gap between rehab and strength and conditioning.
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