The best way to monitor your progress

Although measuring your weight seems to be the most logical way to track your progress, weight alone is an unreliable measurement.

Your weight may fluctuate several pounds over the course of a day, depending on how well hydrated your body is and on what's currently passing through your digestive system.

Weight loss is a gradual process. So if you do weigh yourself, we recommend doing so not more than once or twice a week.

Some diet plans make target weight recommendations based on your height, age, and sex. A target weight may be a good motivator for some people, but don't get too hung up on that particular goal. Most weight recommendations are based on your Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a ratio of your weight to height. BMI recommendations may be appropriate for the average person, but they don't take into consideration a person's bone structure and muscle mass, and are especially unsuitable for athletic people.

Unless you're trying to qualify for a lower weight class at a sporting event, weight isn't what you care about, anyway. We talk about weight loss, but what you're really interested in is fat loss. You'll know when you lose that extra fat, simply because you'll look and feel better.

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