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Tracking Weight-Loss Changes

Have you ever wondered what you look like to others?

It's probably quite different from what you might expect. Yet, an accurate picture of our body is crucial to long-term success with weight-loss because we must reach a place of peace with our bodies in order to start a healthy journey of change.


Many people who lose weight also lose track of the very important changes that occur as the pounds come off. Too much focus on what the scale says may be the reason for this blind spot and may make it impossible to accept ourselves as we are right now.

If we see ourselves as "too fat," we treat ourselves as fat, and our behavior completes this self-fulfilling prophecy. These tools can help you track change in a more healthy and positively reinforcing way:

Start with a better idea of what your goals should be. Use a Body Mass Index Calculator to give you a better idea of what a healthy weight loss goal should be. (If your BMI is over 40, consider having your body composition measured in a reliable manner such as hydrostatic weighing. This measure of fat vs. fat free -- muscle, bone, organ mass -- is a more accurate method for assessing ideal body weight.)

Use a tape measure. Watch inches disappear without stepping on a scale and worrying about body weight.

Don't wait to buy new clothes! Track changes in your body shape by getting nice clothes that fit. This has the added benefit of making you feel better about yourself because you like what you're wearing. Focus on the positive -- your new size is the new you.

Keep one pair of pants, a dress, etc. from your largest size. Keep them in a place where you can catch a glimpse of them on a regular basis. This little trick will remind you of how far you have come and how much you never want to go back!

Take pictures of yourself as you lose weight. Compare these to photographs from your highest weight. Focus on what has changed for the better. Keep a journal and write down what is better or different as you change.

Try new activities and have fun! Go out with friends and do activities that you couldn't before or hadn't dared in a long time and build that all-important self confidence in you.

Look in the mirror each day and pick out something positive about your physical self. Find a new one each day. Before long, you'll have a long list of compliments to help build your confidence.

Don't let the little things pass you by. Write down the changes in your body and your life as they occur. Relying on memory for these pats on the back will allow them to be lost forever. Mark them down in your daily journal. Did you do something today that you hadn't tried in years? Did you drop a clothes size? Even if you haven't reached your long-term goal, make note of these little milestones along the way.

Most important, recognize the new person you are becoming and take pride in even the smallest changes. Remember, it's never too late to become the "new" you!

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Started Atkin's - January 9th/04


279.5/190.75/175.0
88.75 lbs down
first goal - 205lbs - April 2/09
Onederland hit..April 23/09
second goal - 193lbs

Once again another totally inspiring post. You are amazing at posting things like this. Thank you for always giving your time to help others. There is a special place in heaven for you

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Janice
195 Pregnancy/Highest S 157 C 145 G 135
ReStart 4/20/07 S 174 C 164 G 140