How do you know that you are making progress?

Starting a fitness journey is an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it can be difficult to know if you are making progress and reaching your goals. Many people get discouraged or give up because they don't see immediate results, but progress in fitness is not always visible on the surface. In this blog, we'll discuss how to know if you are progressing in your fitness journey, and how to stay motivated and consistent to reach your goals.

1. Improved performance: One of the most obvious signs of progress is an improvement in your performance. If you are able to run faster, lift more weight, or complete more reps than when you started, this is a clear sign that you are getting fitter and stronger. Keep track of your performance and celebrate each new milestone, no matter how small it may seem.
   

2. Consistency: Consistency is key to progress in fitness. If you are consistently exercising and making healthy choices, this is a sign that you are on the right track. Don't be discouraged if you miss a workout or have an unhealthy meal - the most important thing is to get back on track and keep going.
   

3. Increased energy: Regular exercise and a healthy diet can improve your energy levels and overall well-being. If you find that you have more energy and feel better in your daily life, this is a sign that your fitness journey is making a positive impact on your health.
   

4. Changes in body composition: While weight is not the only indicator of progress, changes in body composition can be a sign that you are making progress in your fitness journey. If you notice that your clothes are fitting better or that you are losing inches in your waistline, this is a sign that you are losing body fat and gaining muscle.
   

5. Clothes fitting: How our clothes feel on our skin and its fitting is one of the first thing one can notice with respect to physical changes in the body. Body can loose fat arbitrarily from different parts of the body which can be missed out during measurements. But how clothes feel, will be much easily perceived.
   

6. Better posture: You stand up straighter and sit straighter and move more fluidly. Not only does good posture reduce pain and improve motion; it can simply make you feel better too. With better posture, there is a huge influx of confidence and charisma to the personality.
   

7. Improved mental health: Exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and improving mood. If you find that you are feeling happier and more relaxed, this is a sign that your fitness journey is having a positive impact on your mental health.
   

8. Improved flexibility and mobility: Regular exercise can improve your flexibility and mobility, making it easier to perform daily tasks and reducing your risk of injury. If you find that you are able to move more easily and with less discomfort, this is a sign that you are making progress in your fitness journey.
   

9. Increased knowledge and confidence: As you progress in your fitness journey, you will learn more about exercise, nutrition, and healthy habits. You will also get to understand what your body needs and can handle. This increased knowledge can give you the confidence to make informed choices and stick to your goals.
   

10. Better sleep: Moderate exercise improves sleep quality, moving more reduced the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, which disrupts sleep and increases health risks. So if you find yourself sleeping longer—and better—it might mean you’ve found a solid balance in your workout routine.

Remember that progress in fitness is not always visible on the surface, and that small changes can add up to big results over time. Celebrate each new milestone and keep pushing yourself to reach your goals. With consistency, hard work, and dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.