Losing fat is the fitness goal for many, and it needs sustained and comprehensive effort to make it worthwhile. The objective is achieved by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and if one is new to it, it may result in some unexpected changes, especially in the initial phase.
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Taking to Instagram on May 31, Arijeet Chaudhry, a fitness trainer with seven years of experience, listed out seven signs which might come as a surprise, but reinforce the fact that one is on the right track to losing weight.
1. You feel bloated
Bloating might appear to be the opposite of what one wants to achieve while working towards fat loss, but it is a common occurrence, according to Arijeet. “When you start training harder and eating better, your muscles hold more glycogen (which holds water). So you might feel a bit puffy, but that’s not fat,” he explained.
2. You’re hungrier than usual
While it might freak out people who are trying to go on a calorie deficit for the first time, feeling hungrier is a good sign. “If you’re in a deficit and moving more, your body pushes hunger up to get energy. Doesn’t mean you’re messing up,” noted the trainer, “it usually means things are working.”
3. The scale randomly spikes
If one has a habit of weighing themselves every day, they might see the scale fluctuating quite a bit over the days. However, there is no need to be immediately concerned, according to Arijeet. “That’s water, salt, hormones, stress, sleep… all of it. You didn’t gain actual fat overnight; your body just fluctuates like that,” he noted.
4. Your workouts feel better/stronger
If a person feels that the workout is getting easier over time, that is definitely a good sign. In the words of Arijeet, “You’re lifting heavier, pushing more, maybe recovering quicker. That usually means you’re keeping (or even building) muscle — which makes fat loss look way better over time.”
5. Waist size reduces slowly
The reduction in weight size while undergoing sustainable weight loss is slower than most people expect. “Your waist is slowly going down, not every day, not even every week, but zoom out, and it’s trending down,” noted Arijeet. “That’s the progress people miss when they obsess over the scale.”
6. You’re more consistent than before
Consistency is the key to success in many things in life, including weight loss. According to Arijeet, no one has to be perfect. They just need to show up more, stick to the routine and put the work in even when they do not feel like it. That is what actually gets results.
7. You feel colder than usual
This might seem very random, but it is a real thing, noted the trainer. “When you’re eating less and dropping body fat, your body has less energy and insulation, so you might feel colder more often. annoying, but it can come with fat loss,” he explained.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
