Tips for Tracking Your Fitness Journey
While the scale plays an important part in collecting data and trends, it is not the be-all-end-all when it comes to tracking your progress throughout your fitness journey. Nor does it always tell the whole story.
Read on for other ways you can track your progress and goals, no scale needed!
1. Take “Before,” “During,” and “After” Photos
We look at ourselves every day, so it can be hard sometimes for us to visually see the changes that are taking place. By taking photos throughout the entire process, you can really see your progress add up! Not to mention you’ll have documentation of your transformation! We recommend taking photos once a month in the same style of clothes, same location, and standing in the same pose.
2. Take Measurements
Muscle is more dense than fat, so it takes up less space and makes us look leaner. Even if you don’t see big changes in the scale, take measurements every 2-4 weeks. Seeing the numbers go down can be a good indicator that you’re losing fat and progressing towards your goals.
3. Record Your Workouts
Don’t overlook the gains that you’re making in the gym! Getting stronger, faster, or more athletic is just as big of a part of your fitness journey as the numbers on the scale. Grab a journal, use an app, or just make notes in your phone of each workout. Be sure to track the name of the exercise, weight, reps and sets. Then celebrate as you hit a new PR, run raster or smash that pull-up goal!
4. Make Note of Non-Scale Victories
Non-scale victories are huge! And sometimes we notice them sooner than seeing results on the scale. Make note of the times you have more energy, sleep better, your mood is improved, you feel less stressed, or your clothes fit differently. These are all signs that you are making positive progress towards being a healthier version of you!
Shea Markley provides one-on-one personal training and small group training services at iThinkFit. She specializes in working with women, especially pre- & postpartum. She has been a personal trainer since 2019 and at iThinkFit since 2021. "I knew that I wanted to help empower other people to be the best, healthiest version of themselves," Shea says. Outside of the gym, her family is her priority. She enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and podcasting.
Learn more about our team of Certified Personal Trainers by clicking here.
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