Hey there. If you’re on a weight loss journey, you’ve probably felt like progress is too slow. No matter how much you lose, it never seems like enough. That feeling is completely normal. The problem isn’t your results—it’s your expectations.
What Weight Loss Actually Looks Like
Let’s break it down. If you follow an eating plan to the best of your ability, exercise regularly, and drink plenty of water, you will likely average 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss per week. That means over the course of a year, you could lose anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds.
This includes water weight at the beginning, calorie fluctuations, and the ups and downs that come with real life. But if you stay consistent, that’s the expected average.
Yet, even when you’re losing weight at a steady rate, it often doesn’t feel like enough. That’s because if you’ve spent most of your life identifying as someone who “needs to lose weight,” you will always feel like progress is too slow.
Stop Obsessing Over the Scale
Your weight will fluctuate. You could be in a calorie deficit and still see the scale go up some days. That’s why weighing yourself every day is often a bad idea. If you’re putting too much emphasis on daily numbers, you’re creating unnecessary stress.
Here’s a better approach:
✅ Weigh yourself every 2 to 4 weeks instead of daily.
✅ Take progress photos and waist measurements along with your weigh-ins.
✅ Focus on your consistency, not the number.
The scale is just a data point. It’s not the most important part of your journey.
Your Expectations Are Being Shaped By Social Media
The weight loss industry thrives on making people feel like they’re not doing enough. It’s designed to make you chase quick fixes and believe that results should happen overnight.
You see massive transformations on Instagram. You read captions that say, “I’m proud of my progress, but I still have so far to go.” The message is always the same—you can’t be happy with where you are because you still need to improve.
But you can be happy now while working toward your goals. The mindset that tells you to wait for happiness until you reach a goal is the same one that will keep you feeling like you’re never enough.
Final Thoughts
Weight loss is a long game. If you’re losing 1 to 2 pounds per week, you’re right on track. If you want to stay sane in the process, shift your focus to what you can control—your habits, your mindset, and your consistency.
I want to hear from you! How are you shifting your mindset around weight loss expectations? Reach out through Your Level Fitness and let me know.
Join The YLF Experience
If you want to build consistency without stressing over unrealistic expectations, join The YLF Experience. Let’s make this a sustainable journey.