Here are 4 ways to tell your your nutrition plan is working, even if the scale isn’t cooperating.
You feel satisfied after meals.
Your nutrition plan shouldn’t have you knawing at cardboard to get through the last few hours before sleep. Some discomfort is inevitable, and if you’re on a rapid fat loss plan there will be considerable hunger, but a plan that has you dropping 1-3 lbs a week is ideal.
You have more energy.
Are you slogging your way through the day? Midafternoon, you need a caffeine and sugar hit to keep your eyelids propped open and the only bar you’re getting under after works is the one in your basement that holds the liquor.
Your clothes feel just a little looser.
Adding muscle is a big priority in my programs, and for good reason. Muscle looks great, building it can help raise your BMR and help your clothes fit better. That old t-shirt doesn’t fit, because your chest and arms and shoulders and back are now too muscular for it. The shirt is still flapping loose in one area, though: your trimmed waist.
You’re Sleeping Better.
There can be many reasons for poor sleep: stress, aging, hormonal changes, being a new parent, getting too much light late at night, jet lag, and so on.
But nutrition and exercise can play a role. For instance, if you over-eat heavy meals late at night, it can cut into your sleep. I usually recommend one of my client approved meals 2-3 hours before bed and one of the small snacks only if needed.
Alcohol and caffeine can have a negative impact. I usually recommend caffeine be eliminated before 5 pm (some people metabolize it slower than others and I push the deadline up) and alcohol no more than 2 hours prior. You know those nights where you drift into an alcohol-induced slumber and feel partially awake all night? Deep sleep is compromised.