The top 5 signs you are reaching your fitness goals

The top 5 signs you are reaching your fitness goals

We should always set ourselves fitness goals whether it is to drop a dress size, gain more energy or build our strength.

So when it comes to tracking your fitness progress, we often rely on the mirror, progress photos or even bathroom scales to measure how far we’ve come. But sometimes it can be hard to spot any physical changes and it’s easy to feel like your progress has stalled. But this doesn’t mean you’re not moving forward – there are some other really important signals to look for that show you’re winning and becoming fitter and healthier. Read my top 5 signs that you are heading in the right direction.

1. Clothes fit better

As I mentioned in my previous blog about throwing out the sad scales, how your clothes fit is one of the best ways to measure if you are losing fat.

On the other side, don’t despair if your pants aren’t getting looser, you may actually fill them out a bit better. Though you may feel your pants or shirts getting a bit tighter, it’s not because you are gaining weight, it is because you are putting on muscle and have better definition and shape.

2. Your friends comment on how good you look

If you friends and family are asking whether you have lost weight or whether you have bought a new outfit (when you have had those jeans for years), then your shape is changing and people are starting to take note. You see yourself every day and it is hard to gauge if anything is changing. So when people who haven’t seen you for a while comment on how good you look, then trust me you are getting closer to your goals.

3. You are sleeping better

If you’re carrying extra pounds, especially around your tummy, losing weight and some of that muffin top may help you get better ZZZs. Research has shown that a reduction in belly fat was the best predictor of improved sleep. People who exercised at least a couple of hours a week slept better and felt more alert during the day than those who didn’t exercise as much.

4. You are less stressed

Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to Pilates can act as a stress reliever. If you’re not an athlete or even if you’re out of shape, you can still make a little exercise go a long way toward stress management.

Regular exercise can increase self-confidence, it can relax you, and it can lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. All of these exercise benefits can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of greater control over your body and your life.

5. You have more energy

When we exercise, we increase blood flow which helps deliver more oxygen throughout our bodies. We need that oxygen to create energy. As more oxygen is being delivered throughout our bodies, more energy is created which is why after a workout, you are likely to find that you feel much more energetic.

Also, exercise releases endorphins in our bodies. Endorphins released in our bodies will give us a “feel good” sensation. In addition, working out gets us in better shape which in the long run means that we don’t get as tired as quickly, which is much like having extra energy.