Here’s The Best Way to Measure Your Health

January 20, 2020

Scales

Scales

In January, we’re often overloaded with so many weight loss messages, that even the most confident of us can feel under pressure to lose weight…

And those of us who may not even need to shed a few pounds, begin to question if they should try to or not.

So a lot of us end up logging into our Amazon accounts to buy brand new sets of scales to keep ourselves on track.

But, being healthy is ultimately about feeling healthy- and has very little to do with the number on the scale.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not saying that scales don’t have their place! They do. Especially if you’re tracking your weight loss progress. But spending too much time focusing on the number can discourage you.

Often times when you think you’ve dropped weight after a strict diet and sticking to your exercise plan, you discover that you haven’t lost as much as you thought, or you don’t see the number you were hoping to see (which can be for many different reasons by the way!)

If you dread stepping on the scale, instead of becoming disheartened by what you weigh, why not resolve to monitor your health and fitness in a more positive light during 2020?

Here are a few ways that you can track your progress after setting those bathroom scales to the side.

Chances are, if you’re eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and exercising daily, you’ll be feeling the benefits. You’ll feel more alert, have a better night’s sleep, and won’t feel that ‘afternoon slump’ that so many of us suffer from.

Feeling healthy is the first step in looking and feeling your best. Don’t brush off the inside-out effects of your new lifestyle, even if weight loss is your main goal.

Next, let’s talk about sleep.

We spend close to a third of our lives doing it, and when we get enough of it, we feel great!

It’s a fact that we need to sleep for our physical, mental, and emotional health. The number of hours that you sleep is important, but the quality of sleep if just as important.

If you’re unable to get a good night’s sleep, it could be a sign that you’re not experiencing ‘peak’ health and fitness.

Cutting down on alcohol and stimulants like caffeine before bed should help you drift off easier.

How we start our day, is just as important as how we end it.

What about mood? Your mood is closely linked with healthy eating and fueling your body.

If you’re in a good mood, that’s great! It can be a reflection of good health. But on the other hand, if you’re feeling a little low, or you’ve got a short fuse, this can be a sign that it’s time to make some lifestyle changes.

Losing your temper can happen when your blood sugar is low, so eating balanced meals is key. Also adding more exercise into your week can help as movement releases those feel-good chemicals.

How your skin looks can also be a good reflection of what’s going on inside your body. Especially as it’s the biggest organ in the body.

With hundreds of different skin problems, there are multiple signs that your skin can indicate that you’re not experiencing peak health. Two of the most common signs are paleness and itchy skin.

So pay attention to how radiant (or not so radiant) your skin looks, and switch up your lifestyle habits if need be.

At the end of the day, the most important question to ask yourself is “What are my real goals?”. What do you want? Not what you’ve been told you want.

The scales don’t measure how strong you’re becoming, how much better you feel, if you can walk the stairs without losing your breath, or if you can play with your grandkids for hours.

Don’t let the number on the scale rule your life. Judge your progress by “health” instead and you’ll learn how to listen to your body and your efforts will pay off.

If you have questions about how to make better decisions about your health, call or text one of our PTs at 623.486.3333.

Nick Hunter, PT, DPT
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