It can be easy to fixate on the number staring back at you, but there are plenty of things the scales just don't know.

So you’ve been working your cute behind off, done everything by the book (saint-like even) and confident that you’ve lost a kilo or two. But when you jump on the scales your heart sinks. Why? Because the number staring up isn’t as impressive as your efforts. Before you go into panic-mode, know this: scales will never know you like you do.

Sure, they can be useful sometimes in knowing whether your weight-loss plan is working, but there are plenty things it can not (and will not) tell you. Nope, the scales won’t tell you. . .

1. How much muscle you've gained

Whether it’s muscle or fat, a kilo is still a kilo. So the reason you may look and feel great but the scales haven’t budged is because the density is different. Muscle is generally about 18 per cent more dense than fat, so one kilo of muscle will use up less space than one kilo of fat.

2. How your clothes fit

The scales will never tell you how amazing you look in those skinny jeans. If you’ve lost fat and gained a little extra muscle, chances are your clothes will feel and fit better.

3. How your body fluctuates

Depending on whether you’ve just worked out, eaten, how much sodium you’ve consumed or what time of the month it is, these things can affect your weight. So don’t let a kilo or two send you into a downward spiral, fluctuations are real.

4. How happy you are

Nope, the scale will definitely not tell you how happy you are. And because exercise = happiness, let this be the guide of your health.

5. How healthy you eat

The number staring back at you won’t share how healthy you eat, and eating the good stuff is what counts.

6. How much you can lift

OK, so there’s no competition with how much you can lift, but it’s a good gauge at how strong you are. And we like strong.

7. How devoted you are

No number will tell you how committed you are to eating healthy and exercising regularly. Nope, not at all.

8. How far you can run

The scales won’t ever tell you or pat you on the back for the 5km run you just finished. There is more to health than just a number.

9. How much you've learned

Whether it’s being mindful about the foods you eat to generally just nailing all aspects of life — knowledge is everything. And you got it, the scales won’t tell you this either.

10. How flexible you are

Don’t let the scales hide the fact that you’re incredibly bendy! Flexibility can improve circulation, reduce stress, help with performance and even aid weight loss. High-fives for flexi!

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