Tip 19 - Motivation and mindset, tip 20 - good food

19 Use a tape measure, not the scales to track your progress

A little extra weight, as long as it is through better hydration or increased muscle density, can help you lose body fat which unfortunately is shown as a gain on the scales.....but not on the tape. In the first 4-12 weeks of commencing an exercise program, you'll experience the fastest and most dramatic improvements in muscle density. Your muscles don't get bigger but they weigh more as they store glucose to fuel your new activity. So use a tape measure to track your progress.


.....Sounds sane to me

20 You don't have to count cals but be aware

Let's face it, counting cals isn't anyones idea of a good time (Side note....that's why i love CK as it counts them for you ) Even if you don't want to count cals it is important to cut back on them. So to cut back you need to be aware of what is high and what is not.

Start by getting to know the rough cal content of the foods you eat regularly. You don't have to calculate exactly how many you've eaten everyday but try to eat mostly foods with a lower cal count. Plus use nutrition tables on the labels to help choose the lighter options......

I'm not going to type in the rest as it just mentions portion control and common sense. I'm not sure about this one, i prefer to count cals at the moment which is probably the same of most members here at Ck but i do agree the above paragraph comes in handy for the times we have small breaks....due to hols, chaotic times and general just need a break to stay sane plus when we begin - hopefully, maintaining. There again, the counting cals now is what helps us become aware of what is in our fav foods for said times.

Have a good one.

P.S Do you know how much easier i am finding it to drink water at the moment. The funny thing is i am now 1 year and a few weeks old in CK years and everything was soooo easy to start with. Then summer came and i found it hard to drink my water quota. I just didn't want it. Now with the cold weather again i am drinking it easy. Weird