Are you on a mission to lose weight? You’ve set a goal and you’re ready. And maybe you’ve been at it for a few months now. You’re close to your goal. You feel good. But you’ve noticed the scale stopped moving. It’s at a standstill. And you don’t know why.

You’ve been eating all the right foods. You haven’t missed a single weight loss workout. You think you look better, so what’s going on?

The scale is a great go-to at the beginning of your weightloss journey. It can provide positive feedback when you need it the most. And as you gain strength and lose fat, you feel more confident. You feel more healthy. 

But here’s the thing…

Muscle is more dense that fat. This means it takes up less space. It also means that you can gain weight and muscle at the same time. But this isn’t a bad thing. You’ll still look leaner and slimmer. Yet, it also means that it may be time to ditch the scale.

Instead, Trust Measurements 

The scale can fool you. It might trick your mind into thinking you’re doing something wrong. But you’re not. In fact, you’re probably doing everything right.

Instead of solely relying on the scale, take your measurements as well. 

How do you do this?

Grab a soft measuring tape and let’s get started.

For your bust: Measure right below your breasts or pecs and all the way around to your back.

For your waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your torso. 

For your hips: Choose the widest part of your hips and measure there.

For your thighs: Measure the widest part of your thigh when standing.

For your arms: Measure just above your elbows.

Then, write them down. Aim to take these measurements once a month. It’s a more accurate way to tell whether you’re making progress or not. It’s also a great way to ensure you’re maintaining it. 

What Else Should You Know?

Your weight can also fluctuate for various other reasons, including:

• Eating too much sodium. This can cause fluid retention.
• You haven’t had enough fiber and are backed up.
• You consumed a lot of water.
• You ate something that didn’t agree with you.

Don’t panic if the scale says you’ve gained weight. Your weight can fluctuate between 2-4 pounds per day, depending on various factors and the time of day. Don’t sweat it!