Celebrating My Non-Scale Victories
As my birthday quickly approaches, only a few days left, I’m realizing that my goal of hitting 260 pounds that I set in early July was way off. Not only have I been in a weight plateau for the past several months but the summer has been far more challenging than I’d originally taken into account. Although the scale hasn’t moved much for me I’ve still had a number of other amazing non-scale victories that are worth celebrating.
My pant size has went down 4 inches … yes, you read that right. I started my new job at the beginning of summer and was in 44′s then. I remember because I purchased a bunch of new clothes for the new job. Well, a few months and only ~5 pounds later I’m down 4 inches to 40′s and I’m having to shop again because my pants are falling off. I haven’t been in size 40′s since like 1990, that’s 20 years folks … wow I’m getting old. Anyhow, while I’m going broke from buying all these new clothes I’m also celebrating a non-scale victory of losing inches.
It’s about progress, not perfection.
Remember that progress is measured in more than pounds on the scale. If your eating right and exercising then your body is changing. From recreating itself with the healthy food you eat to trimming and toning, your body is adapting to the stimulation you’re putting it through. The more it’s stimulated over long periods of time the more it’s adapting and recreating.
I’ve been battling with my ice cream cravings this summer but I’ve still been working out at least 6 days per week doing running, weight training, and lots of circuit training. While my final snack might have sometimes been less than ideal they were countered by all of my other meals being healthy and balanced. Moderation and consistent healthy eating won over bingeing and meal after meal of making bad decisions.
It’s about progress, not perfection.
I’m a runner now, well kinda. In the past 3 months I’ve went from being a non-runner to a wannabe runner. I’ve went from not being able to run for but a few minutes to being able to run for an hour and a half. I don’t expect to be able to run a marathon any time soon but it’s certainly in my goals to give it a shot.
Had you asked me four months ago if I’d be running three days a week I’d likely have said no. I would have probably said next year when I lost a bit more weight I’d give it a shot. Rather than put it off I decided to give it a shot and see how my body reacted. I won’t say it’s been easy but I will tell you it’s been rewarding and my body is stronger for it … another non-scale victory.
It’s about progress, not perfection.
I’m now more flexible, stronger, and have a much higher endurance. In the past several months I’ve been doing a ton of circuit training … it’s pretty much been my goto workout choice if I’m not running.
Thanks to circuits I can now bend easier than, jump higher, do actual pushups (actually quite a few), workout for over an hour without a break, and so much more. No, I’m not selling you on working out for over an hour, don’t take it wrong. I’m just saying that I used to have trouble making it 30 minutes let alone longer times. Since I always want to burn as many calories as possible I like to get about an hour in per day.
Being more flexible and stronger means I can play longer with my kids. I can do yard work without being in pain the next day. It means I can take the stairs without being winded. There are just to many things to list to be honest … a whole bunch of non-scale victories.
It’s about progress, not perfection.
As I’ve said, in my normal long winded fashion, it’s not always important what the scale weight change is. It’s about how you feel, how you act, and how your body and mind are changing along the journey. Sure the scale is nice and everyone loves to see it go down, just don’t get hung up on it being the only measurement of success.
Stop focusing on perfection and instead work on noticing progress.
Are you being too hard on yourself and focusing on the scale to much?
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And I love this because it works across so many meduims
for me it isnt the scale right now BUT focusing on other people’s measure of success.
SAME THING
different eval.tool.
I completely agree, these NSV’s and the focus on progress instead of perfection can be applied to just about anything in our lives. Whether it’s our careers or children or really anything we’re never going to be perfect but we can improve slowly. Thanks!
I’m currently writing “It’s about progress, not perfection” on the inside of my journal cover…well, I will be writing it when I’m done commenting here. I love it.
It’s so easy to fall into that perfectionist, all or nothing mentality and give up when things aren’t going like we think they should be. Thanks for the reminder.
.-= Stina @ Girl Can´s last blog ..187 Trust Your Instincts =-.
It’s been a phrase that’s really been a key to my success this past year. All to often I’d focus on that scale moving as the only measure to my success in the past. Not so this past year … I gave myself breaks from time to time and focused on other changes and improvements in my body and mind instead of the scale numbers.
Yeah congrats on your non scale victories. That is something I need to work on for myself. I am still too tough on myself though I wish I wasn’t.
Thank you … it’s always healthy to give ourself a break from time to time. NSV’s come in all shapes and sizes.
Great post! I think we need to stay positive through rough patches along our journeys to make it work. Recognizing NSV’s are very helpful!
you have come a long way! Congrats! 
Thanks! I agree, staying positive during thick and thin is a huge key to success. Negative energy will only enable failure.