Weight lossWeight loss can lead to improvements in many other areas of health. As such, it's important to keep a log of your weight. Studies show that a 3-5% reduction in body weight is needed to improve other outcomes, but don't forget that the scale isn't the only important thing to look at! In this section, we'll talk about other ways to track your health and progress.
|
Body fat percentage |
Body fat percentage is the amount of fat in your body in comparison the amount of muscle, bone, and other tissue. There are several ways to measure body fat percentage. Handheld monitors can be purchased online, caliper tests can be performed by physicians, and some local gyms even offer more advanced body fat tests.
|
Heart rate |
Heart rate is the speed that your heart beats. Lower heart rate is usually a good indicator of better heart and lung health. To measure heart rate, find the pulse in your wrist and count the number of beats you feel in ten seconds. Multiply this number by six to get your heart rate in BPM. Be sure to always measure your heart rate in the same position - sitting, standing, or laying down.
|
Blood lipids |
Blood lipid count is a measure of the amount of fat circulating in your blood. A normal blood lipid test will include numbers for LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) as well as triglycerides. These are great indicators of health, but are often difficult to test for and may require a doctor to perform them.
|