Results can be measured in so many different ways. If a person is looking at the scale, exercise physiologist and NASM-certified personal trainer Krissi Williford, MS, from Xcite Fitness said they should see the numbers going down week after week, as long as they're eating in a calorie deficit.
Granderson added that if an individual is participating in a strength training program, she may lose body fat mass and gain muscle mass. Though there has been a decrease in fat mass, the increase in muscle mass may make the number on the scale seem stagnant. You will slim down, but the number may not change on the scale for a period of time.
If a person is using the way their clothes fit as a gauge, it could take several weeks to see a difference depending on how fast the person is working to lose weight. Williford said, "one clothing size is about 10 pounds, so you'd need to lose somewhere between five and 10 pounds for clothes to fit better."
If the way you look in the mirror is the measure for results, then it may take longer — usually at about 15 to 20 pounds of weight loss, the person will see a difference in the mirror, said Williford. She added that a good tool to see results is to take pictures. Most people are reluctant, but if you take them every one to two weeks, they're a great way to see changes in your body. McGreer said that within a month or two of strength training, a person will start to see muscular changes.
Williford noted that consistency is key for exercise. If you aren't consistent, then you absolutely won't get any results. It's also important to be patient and recognise that body change takes time. Dr. Huether said the person will most likely see results before other people notice and will also feel better almost immediately.