How to Monitor Your Weight Loss

If you are one of the many overweight Americans who is currently attempting to drop unwanted pounds, you know that weight loss is a difficult task that takes willpower, persistence and patience. One of the most important factors in sticking to a weight loss plan is having standards in place to monitor and measure your progress. Keeping track of the weight you have lost is very motivating and helps put all your hard work into perspective. It is best to monitor your weight loss using a combination of different measuring tools so you can best see your results.

Instructions

1

Weigh yourself regularly and keep track of how much weight you have lost and how many pounds you have left to lose before you reach your goal. Write down the date and your weight on a piece of paper and hang it somewhere visible. Each time you weigh yourself, add another date and weight entry on the sheet. Aim to take your weight about once per week, always on the same day and under the same conditions. This means if you weigh yourself in your pajamas first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything, take your weight the same way each time for consistency.

2

Take your measurements and monitor how much they have changed. Use a soft measuring tape to measure your body at the beginning of your weight loss journey and write the numbers down somewhere; make sure to include the date and what part of your body you are measuring. Most people choose to measure their waist, hips, thighs, upper arms and chest, but you can measure any number of areas. Retake your measurements about once every two weeks and compare the results to your previous entries.

3

Notice how your clothes are fitting and set goals to fit into smaller sizes. One of the best ways to monitor your weight loss progress is by your clothes. People often will find that their weight on the scale is the same but they are able to fit into pants that earlier were too tight. Keep track of what clothes currently don't fit and try them on again at the end of each month to measure progress.

4

Take pictures of yourself in the same outfit to see how far you have come. We see ourselves in the mirror everyday, which can make it difficult to notice weight loss. Take a picture of yourself at the beginning of your weight loss and take note of the date. Retake the picture each month and compare it to the original to see the difference in your appearance.