If you’ve been trying to lose weight but feel like you’re not making any progress, you’re not alone. Many adults start on the weight loss journey in an effort to get healthy or meet fitness goals, without having a full understanding of what this means. Most understand that in order to get rid of unwanted body fat that they’ll have eat right and exercise, yet when they step on the scale and get the same number (or even worse, a higher number), they automatically assume their efforts have failed.

The truth, however, is that scales can be misleading. They give you an accurate account for how much your body weighs but they can’t tell your body composition.

What is Body Weight Composition?

Your body weight composition is essentially a description of what you body is comprised of. It is a breakdown of the level or percentage of body fat, muscle, bones, water, tissue, and organs as it pertains to your total weight. Your scale can give you a grand total of your weight, however, it does not tell you how much fat you’ve lost in comparison to the amount of muscle you may have gained. Essentially, when trying to lose weight or get fit, it is best to focus more on your body composition than to focus on weight.

How to Track Your Body Weight Composition?

If you want to go beyond what the average scale can tell you there are several ways you can track your body weight composition.

  • Measure circumference Using a tape measure is one of the most simplest methods for tracking your body composition. Using a flexible tool, you can measure the circumference of your waist, hips, arms, and legs. If your waistline starts to shrink, it means you’re losing body fat. Whereas, if you’re strength training and your arms get bigger, chances are you’re gaining more muscle. If you’d like further assistance, you can always look for a gym in Chula Vista California or wherever you’re located that offers monthly body weight composition analysis where they’ll track your measurements and help you set health and fitness goals.
  • Take photos Though not as accurate as measurements, pictures can really be beneficial to helping you track and manage your body weight composition. Photos allow you to see the progress you’re making that is often unnoticeable right away. Take photos of yourself from varying angles at least once a month to see how your body is changing.

Improving Your Body Composition

The idea with losing weight or getting fit is to reduce (not eliminate as the body needs fat) body fat and/or increase muscle mass. For the best outcome, it is necessary that you eat the right foods and complete effective exercises. Here are some tips:

  • Watch calories you don’t have to become obsessed with counting calories, but if you want to lose weight it is imperative that you don’t eat more calories than your body burns in a day.
  • Increase protein intake whether you’re trying to lose weight or gain muscle, protein is vital to your diet. It is easier to digest than carbs and also helps the body to burn more calories. If you’re not getting enough from regular meals, you can always take whey protein powder and add it to a shake.
  • Eat a bit more fiber fiber is another ingredient you need to eat more of. Eating fiber helps to fight hunger cravings allowing you to feel fuller for longer. You can get fiber from plant-based foods, beans, and whole grains.
  • Balance cardio and weight training your body needs to constantly be challenged in order to see significant results. Though cardio is great for burning calories, strength training is great for building muscle. Find exercises that are comfortable for you and alternate to give your body a change.

As you can see, there’s a lot more to losing weight and being fit than you may be aware of. Though using the scale can be helpful, it simply can’t show you the progress you could be making. For a more accurate account of your health it is ideal to determine and properly manage your body weight composition with the tools and resources listed above. It won’t be long before you’re the lean, mean, fitness machine you hoped for.