Picture this scenario: You take up a new exercise routine and you immediately start to drop the pounds. Then, two months into your new routine, your scale stops moving, even though you’re still putting in the time and effort to work out. What’s going on?

First of all, there are more ways to measure results than by the scale. Feeling stronger and having more energy are two good signs that what you’re doing is working. Don’t get sucked into determining your success by what the scale says, especially in those first few weeks. When you first start a new exercise routine, your body tends to shed excess water weight, so it appears as though you are really trimming the fat easily and quickly. But these “easy” pounds are the only ones to go fast. After the water-weight loss, your body builds muscle while also burning fat. So, although you may not see a change in your weight according to your scale, your workouts are still facilitating many beneficial changes for your body.

Attain Health Goals without the Help of a Scale
When the calories you burn are equal to the calories you eat, you reach a plateau. Using the same approach that initially worked may maintain your weight loss, but it won’t lead to additional slimming, if that’s your goal. Want to continue to see and feel results or just want to pick up some healthy habits? Here are some suggestions:

  • Instead of giving yourself a weight goal, strive to feel good in your favorite clothing
  • Opt for taking your body measurements instead of weekly weigh-ins. As you build muscle, the scale may not move, but you will be losing inches as you tone up. By recording your measurements, you can gauge your success in the gym. Be mindful to only measure yourself once per week, as your body can slightly fluctuate every day.
  • Build a positive body image and healthy relationship with food with intuitive eating, a self-care framework that ditches diets and integrates instinct, emotion, and rational thought into eating.
  • Add more activity into your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work, parking further away from stores when running errands, or dancing to music while you clean house.
  • Substitute fruits and vegetables into your diet in place of foods that are high in fat and do not provide essential nutrients.
  • Mix up a regular workout routine by adding intervals into your 30-minute run, increasing speed during your bicycle ride or adding an exercise class to your weekly workout schedule.
  • Add strength training to your workouts, which will boost your metabolism, help your body burn more calories and build muscle.
  • Be realistic. If you can’t further decrease the calories you eat or increase your physical activity, you may have hit your “minimum” weight. It is important to still appreciate the goals you’ve made and work to retain your level of fitness. If you think you’re capable of further weight loss, consult your physician about other strategies.

Whatever you do, don’t let a weight loss plateau cause you to give up exercise and nutrition altogether. Because you’ve already improved your diet and increased your physical activity, you’ve already improved your health.