Why the Numbers on the Scale Are Not That Important
One of the most common reasons people start an exercise routine is to shed off unwanted pounds, reduce the number on the scale. As I discussed in my last post, exercise is not an efficient way to burn calories or fat, particularly in the short term. In combination with proper dieting practices, exercise can help the path to achieving optimal levels of physical fitness and health.
One important part to maintaining a successful exercise program is in evaluating your current progress. Unfortunately, many exercisers track their progress by looking at the weight they see on the scale, the number of calories burned on the treadmill, or by how much weight is moved in a single exercise. While these may seem like sound factors to measure your progress by, there are many variables that get left unaccounted for when people try to track how they are doing by merely looking at numbers. Often, exercisers can get discouraged because the numbers aren’t showing the progress they expected, be it decreasing the number on the scale, or increasing the number of reps on the pull-up bar. While it is important to be able to track the progress you are making in your exercise regime, here are a few things to consider.
If tracking your weight loss, remember that your body is comprised of four major components: water, bone and muscle are lean mass and there is fat mass. While you may be focused on losing those extra 10 lbs keep in mind that decreasing fat mass is more important than losing total body weight. Also, understand that if you are strength training, you are potentially increasing muscle, this is more dense than fat tissue. Replace a pound of fat with a pound of muscle and you will weigh the same but your body will be smaller. This this is a good thing, because by increasing muscle, you are adding productive, healthy, and lean tissue to your body.
Instead of focusing so highly on the number of pounds coming off, focus more on how you are feeling, do you feel healthier? Do you feel stronger or have more energy? If that’s the case, then don’t worry much about the numbers.
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About the author
Dwayne Wimmer founded Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio in 2001, excited to bring a new concept about personal training to the people of Philadelphia’s Main Line in Pennsylvania. Driven by knowledge and results both, while a strength coach at Villanova University, he worked closely with world class athletes such as Brian Westbrook, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, on strength training and conditioning for optimal performance. Dwayne’s client base extends much further than world class athletes. Along with athletes, he works with adolescents to seniors, and he’s a highly acclaimed and sought out personal trainer who has received numerous awards, such as Best of the Main Line Personal Training Studio and Best Main Line Personal Trainer. A graduate of Missouri Western State University, Dwayne has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, with an emphasis in Coaching. Aside from personal training, he’s spent time as a physical education teacher, strength and conditioning coach, and a football coach, but has found his passion and home in the fitness industry, inspiring and reaching out to others. As a strong believer in continuing to learn, Dwayne has also taken classes at East Stroudsburg University toward a Masters Degree in Sports Management. He can add author to his list of accomplishments, having created a chapter in the upcoming book The Soul of Success with Jack Canfield, renowned for the Chicken Soup series. To get to the point where he is now, Dwayne has always been thankful for the support of his father, a man who always believed in his mission and saw the need for what it was that Dwayne envisioned. During his free time, Dwayne is an avid motorcyclist who enjoys viewing the amazing landscapes and finding good restaurants to enjoy that are off the beaten path. He also takes advantage of opportunities to travel and experience many other cities while attending fitness seminars and giving presentations about the industry he is so passionate about. As a way to give back to the community that has been a part of his entire life, Dwayne has created Vertex Fitness PUMPED (People United Making Progress through Education and Donations), which provides support to area non-profits through a community-wide outreach effort. At this time, they help three non-profits per year in the Philadelphia area. For more information from Dwayne, you may contact him at (610) 525-6604, dwayne@vertexfit.com