Hey everyone,
I've recently started following a diet and exercising regularly to improve my overall health and fitness. However, I'm not sure what to expect in terms of results or how long it will take to see them. I'm hoping to lose weight and gain muscle, but I'm not sure what signs to look for to know if I'm making progress towards my goals.
A little background on me: I'm in my mid-30s and have always struggled with my weight. I work a desk job and have a sedentary lifestyle, which has made it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Over the years, I've tried various diets and exercise routines, but haven't seen much success.
Recently, I decided to get serious about my health and started following a low-carb diet and going to the gym three times a week. It's only been a few weeks, but I'm already starting to feel more energized and less bloated. However, I'm not sure if these are signs of progress or just random fluctuations.
So, I'm reaching out to this forum to see if anyone can share their experiences about how soon they saw results from following a diet and exercise routine, and what signs they noticed along the way. I'm looking for any tips or advice on how to track my progress and stay motivated on this journey. Thank you in advance for your help!

Hey there!
It's great to see that you're taking steps towards improving your health and fitness! I have been following a diet and exercise routine for several years now, and I would say that results can vary widely depending on a number of factors.
For me personally, it took several months of consistent effort to start seeing noticeable changes in my body composition. However, I also noticed many other positive changes along the way, such as increased energy levels, improved sleep quality, and reduced stress.
One thing that helped me stay motivated was setting both short-term and long-term goals for myself. For example, I would set a goal to run a 5K within a certain timeframe, or to do a certain number of push-ups or pull-ups. I found that having measurable goals like these helped me stay focused and motivated, even when progress felt slow.
Another thing that helped was finding a workout buddy or accountability partner. Having someone to exercise with or share healthy meal ideas with can make the process more enjoyable and help keep you on track.
In terms of tracking progress, I found that taking progress photos and measurements was helpful, as it allowed me to see how my body was changing even when the scale didn't reflect it. I would also recommend focusing on non-scale victories, such as increased strength or stamina, as these can be just as important to overall health and fitness.
In summary, results from following a diet and exercise routine can take time, but the benefits in terms of overall health and well-being are worth it. Keep setting goals, find a support system, and celebrate your progress along the way!