In all the years I’ve taught my exercise camps, I constantly try to find better ways to help my students monitor their weight loss progress. I don’t believe in weighing yourself daily. Your body can lose 5 lbs. of water in a day and that’s not fat. Daily weigh -ins may give you a false sense of accomplishment in your weight loss program. Instead, I prefer to use two other types of measurements: the waist measurement or the “ honesty jeans” method.
The waist method is simple. Measure your waist at the beginning of every month and mark that number on your calendar. At the end of the month, measure it again. As long as you keep that number as close to the number 30 as possible, you’ll probably maintain a healthier weight without knowing your exact weight. (This is because some people with big bones or who are more muscular will weigh more but can look smaller). Numerous studies also have shown that a mere waistline measurement is a good predictor of diabetes and heart disease.
For instance, if your waist as a female is 36 inches and it should be 30 the waist measurement method is easy to follow and chart. If you’re 34 inches, petite and should be 27 inches then bring the number to 30 or just below. These goals ARE attainable. They just take time. If you’re a male and your waist is 40 inches, then keep trying to get your waistline measurement down slowly to 38 inches, then 36 and probably a healthy 34 inches.
The “honesty jeans” method is one I coined many years ago, in the 1980’s in my gym in Maite. I tell all my students not to bother weighing themselves frequently but to find a pair of jeans that they Should be wearing. I’m not talking about wearing your high school size but something as an adult you used to wear that looked good on you. We all have a pair of those back in a drawer somewhere. Jeans by the way, are the most unforgiving garment we own.
Now put the jeans on and mark on a calendar the day’s date and where on your body those jeans fall. For example: You put the jeans on and they come as far up as my knees only. On the calendar put “ up to my knees”. Two months or so later, try the jeans on again, and mark where they hit you now. It may be “up to my thighs”. Repeat this periodically going to “over my hips” to “on but can’t zip” to “6 inches to closing” to “can zip but can’t breathe” to “can zip but can’t button” to “ zipped and buttoned with two fingers comfortably fitting inside”. Congratulations. This process may take 8 months or a year but you did it.
Now keep these jeans handy. Every now and then try them on and use them as a guide. When they start getting tight then put the brakes on the eating. Go back and figure out what you’ve been eating that hasn’t been as lean or may be too rich in sugar or more. Or, maybe you started to slack off on your daily exercise routine. I have found that this system of monitoring your measurements really works.
By the way, stretch jeans with elasticized waists don’t count. They must be a pair of real jeans by any manufacturer. Try it and let me know how you’re doing. I’d love to have you blog me on your progress. Good luck.
