Embarking on a new fitness routine this year? If so, you’re in good company. 71% of Americans set a goal around their health in 2022 and fitness resolutions accounted for 91% of the resolutions made in 2021. Weight loss is often the goal of exercising, but a focus on the scale can prevent you from noticing other important changes to your health. Celebrating fitness wins beyond the scale helps to lock in the new habits in more powerful ways.
Better fitting clothes
One of the noticeable benefits of exercise is its ability to change the shape of your body. The truth is, it’s not the best way to exclusively lose weight, but has many other benefits including cardio health, loss of fat, and building muscle. Relying on the scale may be more disappointing than motivating. In addition to its many other benefits, exercise tones and shapes the body, especially strength training. Noticing that your pants aren’t so tight or the new draping of your shirts is one of the most fun fitness wins beyond the scale.
Renewed energy
On the list of fitness wins beyond the scale is the renewed bounce in your step. A good workout will give you energy, not deplete it. Your cardiovascular health will get a boost that helps you feel better. This extra energy can lead to better engagement and quality time with your loved ones because you are improving your holistic health. Having energy for a walk with the dog or trip to the playground with kids or grandkids will help you appreciate the work you’re putting into your fitness routine.
Improved sleep
Exercise leads to a better night’s sleep. If you have also changed your eating habits and lost weight, you are even more likely to notice the change to your sleep. According to Healthline, a 2018 study found that people who successfully lost around 15 pounds also improved the quality of their sleep. The change in your waist circumference has a positive impact on sleep quality, too. Among the fitness wins beyond the scale, this one may be one of the most significant because of how important it is to your overall wellbeing.
Mental clarity
Brain fog and fatigue lift with a good exercise routine. Your brain functions better when you include fitness in your daily routine. Notice improvements in your memory, information retention, and ability to focus. Celebrating fitness wins beyond the scale are possible when you feel sharper, perform better at work, and bring your best self to the world around you.
Reduction in stress
Exercise reduces cortisol and adrenaline in your body and stimulates the production of endorphins. Endorphins are a feel good hormone that’s a natural painkillers and mood elevator. Exercise reduces the hormones that cause stress and increases the ones that make you feel better. Reducing cortisol, which is also known as the stress hormone, will lead you to feel more relaxed. It’s another of the significant fitness wins beyond the scale.
Whether you committed to a new exercise routine this year or are continuing one from last year, continue to keep these fitness wins beyond the scale front-of-mind as you measure your progress and condition of your overall wellbeing.
