Non Scale Victories

For those of us trying to lose weight, sometimes we lose sight of the fact that the number on the scale is not the "end-all" of being healthy.

I thought it might be fun to list some of our NSVs (non scale victories) that show that we are becoming fitter and healthier even though the number on the scale is not exactly where we want it.

I will start - please join in! :)

Some of my NSVs:

I can now fit comfortably into my size 8 jeans.

I was picking up a 50 pound bag of cat litter at the back of the local pet store and the store clerk came over and asked, "Do you need any help?" and I replied, "No, I can get it" and proceeded to pick it up and carry it to the cashier at the front of the store without any problem at all.

I was driving my car with my left hand on the wheel and my right hand resting on my right thigh. As my right foot came off the gas to hit the brake, I could feel my right quadricep bulging through my pants. Pretty cool!

During another car ride, when I had my hand on the steering wheel, I glanced at my arm and saw a new muscle popping up between my wrist and my elbow. I didn't even know I had that muscle, and there it was, popping up and saying, "Notice Me."

I can run 5 and 1/2 miles without stopping, swim a mile in under 30 minutes, and bicycle 100 miles. I can also swim, bike, and run back to back when I compete in my triathlons.

I can downhill ski all day without my quads complaining. And I can ski people who are much, much younger than I "right off the mountain."

As I lose weight and tone up my body, my husband of 30 years thinks I am getting sexier every day and he can't keep his hands off of me. :o

I was bending over at school the other day, helping a student, and another teacher whispered in my ear, "Your butt looks so small!"

I now have "oblique defintion" in my abs, and I am on the way to getting a "six pack" - I already have a "two pack."

My waist has shrunk 5 inches since I started eating healthy and faithfully exercising .

I sleep like a baby every night, and have flown through menopause with hardly any symptoms at all. My ob/gyn attributes this to my healthy lifestyle.

I have normal blood sugar levels in a family where my grandmother died of Type 2 diabetes, my father died of Type 2 diabetes, and my brother has Type 2 diabetes. My grandmother was obese, my father was obese, my brother and sister are obese, and I am at a healthy weight. I am beating my genetic history! :cool:

And I can't forget that I am in the category of "one tenth of one percent of women over the age of 50" that has completed an unassisted pull-up from a dead hang. :D

A Very Determined Lynette

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Originally Posted by Over50Newbie

I am in the category of "one tenth of one percent of women over the age of 50" that has completed an unassisted pull-up from a dead hang. :D

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Way to go! I love that statistic, where did you find it (I just have to keep going for another year and a half :p)! Great job on all your fitness achievements!

Oakleaf,

Thanks.

It was a statistic that I read in a physical fitness training book a few years ago. And, just to let you know, I worked on pull-ups for 2 and 1/2 years before I was able to do one. I used the assisted pull-up machine at the gym where I was able to put the pin lower and lower until I could finally pull up my own weight. It seemed to take forever, but I didn't give up until I could do one on my own.

A Very Determined Lynette

Way to go, Lynette!!!

One of the first things I noticed was that my belly didn't stick out as far as my boobs any more. (I have a big bust, so that's not saying much.)

Another thing is that I'm curvy, not round. My waist is actually narrower than my hips again.

I had a big lump of fat on the outside of my right thigh that I could cup my hand around. It's gone.

My face is very slender. I have a jaw-line again.

I can cross my legs at the knees, and line my calves up together.

I can wear a size MEDIUM, in SHORTS! (What?!)

People really don't believe me now when I say I'm a grandma.

A recent change that I've noticed--I can do boot camp in the morning and go for a long fast group ride in the afternoon, and I'm not exhausted and I don't have to eat a lot afterwards.

I can't do pull-ups or push-ups (haven't been trying), but I can run a mile and before I couldn't. I can do 50 full-length sit-ups (which I hear is the "new"/old way to do them, now).

Hard physical labor doesn't tire me out. I'm not begging for help lifting heavy boxes. I can move the 30 heavy cases of soda in the concession stand at the ball park by myself. I can shovel a lot of dirt and mulch in the garden without hubby's help. I actually want to push the lawnmower.

Little changes started 5 years ago (eliminated Diet Coke, the rest are too numerous to list). Real efforts towards weight loss started in December, 2006. 42 lbs so far. 30 or so inches.

Karen

Although I have experienced much of what y'all talk about, I still want improvement. Sometimes I fear that I am never happy; but that's not it because I am happy, just not done.

When I go out with my friends my age (47) I feel young. They dress older, look older, and act older than me. They don't understand my 3 new tattoos. I love them!! My son's girlfriend, who waited on a group of us in her restaurant said, "You don't look like you belong with them!" It was a great compliment.

I went to my brother's for my niece's HS graduation and didn't recognize his wife:eek: She had become middle aged-whatever that is.

Everytime I look at a pair of pants that I used to dread trying on at the start of a new season I'm sure they will be tight, but they aren't.

My tops are getting tight across the shoulders and upper chest due to increased muscle:p

I had a complete hysterectomy last December 14th. Two weeks later I was in the gym doing cardio (It took awhile before I could get on a bike seat). When I went in for my checkups at the GYN the nurse kept saying, "Man you just bounced right back!" They attributed that to my lifestyle.

At the beginning of summer I shop for new tops--cami's and tanks. Most women my age don't wear these anymore, or at least they shouldn't:p

I like the way I look when I look in the mirror! That's not bragging, that's a lot of f***ing hard work at the gym, mountain, and bike path.

I love every minute of exercise, both self imposed, and through a day of hard work in the yard/house.... The last 4 days I was painting and made sure to do a lot of squats, shoulder work, and ladder climbs. I got 4 days of leg work and my downstairs looks awesome. I rewarded myself with a 20 mile ride.

My kids say I have had tastebud surgery. Actually I have come to enjoy no or low sugar food, whole grains, and grilled dry meat. One day they too will endure tastebud surgery. I think it happens during sleep:)

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I like the way I look when I look in the mirror! That's not bragging, that's a lot of f***ing hard work at the gym, mountain, and bike.

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Holy crap, YES!!!

Don't look at me and think I had it easy. It's simple, but not easy!

Karen

Just to add to the thread.

Sometimes, I feel selfish or self-conscious about my new look. I don't want it to get in the way of what I do. Yesterday, the person who does our league shirts (I'm youth baseball president in my town) offered me a XL shirt. She always fixes me one up with something a little special. I said, "No, I take a medium now." She looked at me funny, like what difference does it make? I explained to her that I worked hard for "this" and she said, "so you want to show it off?". No, I just want to dress like a woman again. Sometimes I worry about the guys I work with in the league, whether they think (or their wives think) I'm dressing too provocatively. (I'm not! T-shirts that fit with no midriff showing, no tank tops, reasonable length shorts.) They all know me so I don't worry about it too much--but I can't help that I was born to be built like a brick-house (I was when I was younger). I'm a woman, and I'm going to act--and dress--like one.

Karen

Count me in here, the waist receding, muscles appearing, able to lift a bike over my head and put it on the car rack.
Challenging coworkers to pushups, a year ago I did my first one; now I can do 12 or more at a time.
Lynette, I'm still working on that pullup, and unfortunately I don't sleep like a baby even on days with heavy exercise.

There is a spring in my step, old clothes fit again, I am often mistaken for someone much younger as i bike my way home.

My legs aren't like steel, but they are well defined and SO SO different than what they used to be.

I really believe that exercise has oxygenated my brain because my art stuff is taking off like gangbusters. I tell myself that I bike to paint.
it's all good!

Tuckervill, Catwoman, and Mimitabby - these are GREAT!!! :)

Very, very motivating.

C'mon everyone, join in...

Lynette

Ok- I'll join in, great thread!

Putting on a pair of pants that were tight 4 months ago, and now they are loose.

Starting to run again a few months ago after 30 years, and realiizing that I actually like it.

I love getting up at the crack of dawn (4:30 AM) to get in a hard, sweaty, workout before going to work. Best way to start the day.

Looking around at my obese co-workers, who are in my age group, and listening to them talk about how they are going to sell their houses in the next few years because they won't be able to walk up the stairs anymore. :eek:

Realizing that I will turn 55 next January, and a lot of people would consider that AARP-senior-citizen time. Instead, I am either going to get a tattoo or go on a bike tour- maybe both!

Bambu - you go girl!

Lynette

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Originally Posted by bambu101

Looking around at my obese co-workers, who are in my age group, and listening to them talk about how they are going to sell their houses in the next few years because they won't be able to walk up the stairs anymore. :eek:

Realizing that I will turn 55 next January, and a lot of people would consider that AARP-senior-citizen time. Instead, I am either going to get a tattoo or go on a bike tour- maybe both!

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Do we work together? :D:D;);) I swear we work with the same people. ;)

Circling the building are two full city blocks of disabled parking spots. I don't want to say anything negative about my coworkers many of whom are really disabled but I swear many of those parked there ... could benefit by a little further walk.

Hearing their talk of diets "I'm on the frozen mango smoothie diet" "I take multi vitamins" "I count calories with this gizmo" ... I ride in ;)

Same day, same folks "I can't find time to work out" "I'm too tired to go to the gym after work" ... I ride in.

My manager compliments me "you're attendance is really good! :) How do you do it?" because she has a floor full of the above and aforementioned people. I credit the cycling ... that and luck of the draw on the genetics.

I used to take horse-pill sized prescription levels of Ibuprofin for the arthritis. Now I just ride.

OMG, Lynette, thanks for starting this thread!!!

We sometimes forget to acknowledge those little things that have reinforced our new bodies, but we really do need to list them and share. Since Jan 1 2007 I have dropped 42-45 pounds. I started out only wanting to feel healthy inside and out. The weight loss was just a bonus. (5'4", 135, age 53) I started with resistance training for first year and the definitions (albethem small) became noticeable.

Gradually, I got rid of those size 16s, enjoyed the 14s. Then the 14s were too big and I got 12s. When the 12s were loose, I ended up at Talbots and even their 8s are loose, but I think they size different that other places. STILL, I'll take those 8s!!

I work in very small company (8 men and me) and they all noticed, couple said I was loosing too much weight. One who travels frequently was in yesterday and asked how much more weight I've lost ... "None, but I started mountain biking." "Oh, you're toning it up!"

I got rid of the frumpy baggy t-shirts and wear mediums. Some may be snug, but that's OK, it feels good to have the cotton snug across my mid-section.

I don't have the full part of my boobs pushing out from top of my bras, you know, those 2 extra boobs when you know it's not the cup size.

I will still wear one particular belt ... I've watch the notch go further and further back!

At group ride/ cookout couple weeks ago, one of the little kids wanted to arm wrestle with me, so we both showed off our biceps and by golly, I had one!!! His single dad looked at me and grinned, I grinned back;)!!

Definition in my calves.

Being able to button the bottom button of an oxford shirt and not have it tug and separate and not fit across the lower abs.

I love that muscle ache 36 hours after a good workout in the gym! It's a good ache and I feel energized by it.

My girlfriends all look so much older than me and they shake their heads when I tell them about my latest ride and/or crash:cool:!

My boys (twins, 25) who only knew me as heavy growing up are SO proud of me and tell me every time they see me. They say I look the prettiest they've ever seen.

Stop me now before I get carried away:D......All of you ladies, "JOB WELL DONE, LET'S KEEP IT UP!"

PJ

Then there are those of us who have been trying to maintain their good, fit weight for last few decades. THis also takes physical effort and food eating consciousness. It's not magical genetic predisposition nor natural fast-burning metabolism.

My victory is small compared to others...just to fit same clothing that I wore 15-20 years ago. I have to remember as I age,...to extend that goal...make it 15-25 years ago.:o

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Originally Posted by Tuckervill

I can cross my legs at the knees, and line my calves up together.


Karen

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Isn't this great, I know, I noticed this too! I am so proud of this seemingly small, yet very significant success! It's fun to cross my legs and have my calves line up so nice.

PJ

I loved reading these stories. Like Shooting Star, I have been maintaining my weight over decades, with a lot of hard work that you all described. It's no mystery, just a lifestyle commitment. The reactions you get from co-workers and others are things I have experienced since I was in my thirties (What? You just had a baby? How come you can fit in regular clothes? That was said to me on the way out of the hospital after having son #2. They weren't my regular sized regular clothes, but gee, I did exercise right up to my delivery!).
I am heading towards 55 and while I have some health issues, I still feel like I want to show off my body. I feel much younger than most of my friends who do nothing but complain about their bodies, but do nothing about it.

Great thread!

I looked down at my legs while riding the other day, and was so excited those gams were mine. I used to hate my legs. It's really cool to feel good about them!

This year, my nose, which had always run like crazy when I rode, has stopped running! I don't know why, but I suspect the runny nose was due to my aerobic fitness level.

I can now climb all my regular hills without getting out of breath. These are hills I used to feel like barfing on.

I have to eat all the time to maintain my weight. After having spent years watching my weight by dieting, it's refreshing to have to watch to keep from getting too skinny.

Catwoman I'm stealing your quote about all the hard work...

Lynette you are getting my a$$ to the gym to start working on pull ups. I have never been able to do one and hung it up a while ago.

You know that stupid number has such a hold on me sometimes, but these are the things I notice the most:

My boyfriend says "you don't look 190"

Pulling on a pair of pants just to see if they fit and wear them out the door

Dropping my fast blood sugar from 118 (uh oh!) to 83 (score!)

Having a doctor say "you have really muscular feet!"

Not feeling that 'neck rub'

Not feeling like your legs are connected mid thigh and not starting a fire in cordoroys

Sitting in an airline seat with PLENTY of room

and best of all...

Keeping up with the boys and not being the last one in line :)


OH and don't ever forget...like someone else said....calf definition!!!!

There are women at my work too that treat exercise like a curse. There are SO MANY that live 3 or so miles from work but when I say 'ride a bike' it's like I'm an idiot. There is one woman though that came up to me and started talking about riding and she said that she was 14 miles and it was too far and I said ...no 16 miles is too far and I do it...so she's thinking about it but has child care stuff as well, which is hard to juggle...so yeah I hear you about the selling the house bc they can't get up the steps.

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Originally Posted by Tabby

Isn't this great, I know, I noticed this too! I am so proud of this seemingly small, yet very significant success! It's fun to cross my legs and have my calves line up so nice.

PJ

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So true. Finding your collar and hip bones is another great bonus. Those three little things are what left the biggest impression with me.

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Originally Posted by Goldilocks

So true. Finding your collar and hip bones is another great bonus. Those three little things are what left the biggest impression with me.

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Oh my gosh, yes, I forgot feeling my pelvic bones, that's an awesome one!!! AND to feel them standing up, not laying down! :D

I still have that saddle bag paunch on the outter thigh, but bump by bump they are on the way out!

PJ

I think we're forgetting that alot of women in their 40's and up don't feel comfortable wearing short shorts or even shorts at all. Wearing shorts that show alot of leg, is something not to take for granted as time moves on.

Cycling regularily encourages leg-showing off ..with excellent reasons (ie. cooler, movement efficiency, etc.) I suspect that good cycling fit also slows down / reduces alot of other leg problems. Would like to know if all those problems of varicose veins plague regular cyclists much at all.

It was amusing when I had a picnic lunch with some other women who were probably in their late 30's and up. They felt it was inappropriate for a woman to wear shorts (probably at least 5-6 inches above knee) after 50.

I kept my mouth shut and said nothing. They don't know that I will be 50 next year. I think they sense that I'm around their age. Whatever that is.

I love this thread! Thanks for starting it, Lynette!

I love that I can go to the store and not think..."I'm only one size away from 16.. .then... what?"

I love that I can now think to myself... I'm only two sizes down to the 6 (I'm currently at 10 for the first time in 5 or more years).

My lower back only hurts on occasion, and usually after a hard ride.

I can run without pain -- and faster than ever before (unless you count that triathlon time I just posted!:rolleyes:)

I can walk around the house naked :eek: and not feel gross!

I woke up and stretched in bed one morning recently, and put a hand on my quad -- it was muscular and firm... "Are those really mine?"

I can beat my old riding partner up hills.... hee hee!:D

People say, "Those pants make you look slim"... but I know, it's the hours working out, not the pants. They just help.

My entire family had diabetes, high blood pressure and all the health problems that go with obesity and lack of exercise. I love that I know I don't have to end up like them. I have made the other choice.

Good job to us all -- for putting in the time and effort to be healthy people!

This is an awesome topic.

I was always semi-athletic but kind of slipped by the wayside when I met DH. I think that (and age) did some things to my body that I didn't appreciate. While I didn't really go up size-wise, it just wasn't good.

Since we met (it's been several years now), we walked a lot. We rode sometimes. We hiked sometimes. This past year I decided to do triathlons and then decided to expand on the running.

I used to look at the scale. My first reaction was "omg, it must be wrong!". Even after months of major exercise, my weight didn't budge. It still hasn't moved much though my pants are getting looser. The clothes I had in the "some day" drawer started fitting. It isn't perfect but it finally happened. To this day, I believe I have lost 4 pounds from when I was not fitting into stuff. I weight 25 lbs more than I did 15 years ago though I am starting to fit into those clothes.

We saw DH's mother the other day. She remarked that I looked like I lost a lot of weight. I haven't. What's cool is my clothes fit better, I have a LOT more energy, my motivation (while not always perfect) will inspire me to work out, and it only gets better from here. Exercise gets easier and easier, even when I feel sluggish.

My body isn't where I want it to be but I don't want to be one of the "dunk one piece of lettuce gingerly into the salad dressing" people. The wonderful thing though is by work, it's getting there. Even if I "lose" 2 lbs a month (or the size equivalent), it's all good.

I was at work today and had the faint outline of tri numbers on my arm. Whatever marker they used, it would NOT wash off. So many people said they couldn't do what I do. I said that a year ago. Heck, I said that last week :D

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Originally Posted by teigyr

My body isn't where I want it to be but I don't want to be one of the "dunk one piece of lettuce gingerly into the salad dressing" people. The wonderful thing though is by work, it's getting there. Even if I "lose" 2 lbs a month (or the size equivalent), it's all good.

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Teigyr,

Isn't it great to just feel better!! :cool: Congrats on your healthy improvements. I enjoy eating and could never be a 'lettuce dunker'. I found leaving myself a 3 pound leaway to account for just body flucuations helped me to not freakout when I gained 1 pound. As long as I had a downward trend in my weekly weight I was good to go. There are a myriad of things to cause weight gain on a daily basis (fluids, time of day to weight, clothing, time of month, even constipation, etc). Planning ahead for that graduation party, holiday dinner, etc. keeps that 3 pound range ... on the downward trend.

PJ

I love hearing about how good everybody feels about themselves.

Yesterday, today rather, I am reminded of how good it is to mix up exercise routines. I decided to move from my toning and shaping routine to the next level in my trainer book--body sculpting. I did several sets on one muscle group, even including supersets. I left the gym feeling GREAT! Today I'm a little sore, but it's a good sore. That's how I know the training is working. I guess today I'll do a short ride to help get that lactic acid out of my muscles. So, here's to the next level of improved self-image:)

Since doing hills with my husband this weekend I know I can add that to mix up my cycling routine too. How do people function without exercise?

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

Then there are those of us who have been trying to maintain their good, fit weight for last few decades. THis also takes physical effort and food eating consciousness. It's not magical genetic predisposition nor natural fast-burning metabolism.

My victory is small compared to others...just to fit same clothing that I wore 15-20 years ago. I have to remember as I age,...to extend that goal...make it 15-25 years ago.:o

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I'm with you here. I know that I weigh more than I did when I started seeing my BF again 10 years ago. At that point, though, I was very depressed, and financially broke, so I was really, really thin -- never exercised, drank too much, ate too little, no muscles whatsoever. Too thin. But, I had bought a gorgeous dress to wear to a special event back then. I thought I would never ever fit into it again once I started riding. But, I just tried it on -- and it fit! So, I just finished a 430-mile weeklong tour and can still fit into my little dress. Life is good.

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

But, I had bought a gorgeous dress to wear to a special event back then. I thought I would never ever fit into it again once I started riding. But, I just tried it on -- and it fit! So, I just finished a 430-mile weeklong tour and can still fit into my little dress. Life is good.

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and a BIG WOOOOO-HOOOOO, geez, don't ya just love it when that happens!!!

This is a wonderful and inspiring thread to read. Thanks to Lynette for starting it and for all of you who have posted to it!! Truly.

I've had a rough couple of years in the weight loss, body image arena. And these years happened to coincide with starting to ride. It's been tough but I must say that reading this thread has totally inspired me to keep going. I've seen a few tiny improvements in the past 4 weeks or so, and you guys are totally making me feel that to keep plodding along is 100% worth it.

Thank you...from the bottom of my heart!! :)

Thanks to everyone that has contributed so far.:)

Even though I started this thread, even I am genuinely surprised at how motivating it has become. As a group, we are collectively INSPIRING!

And I love the comments about maintaining your fitness levels. That's the true test - to be able to continue to stay fit and healthy as we age.

So, if you are a lurker, instead of a poster, please don't be shy - keep the posts coming!

The energy here is amazing.

Lynette

leg definition seems to be a recurring theme here. my favorite change so far is that my achilles tendon on the back of my ankle is really defined now. i don't know why i love that little tendon so much, but it just seems to be a sign of an athlete.

I love this thread. I just started posting because I want to ride to lose weight. You are all very inspiring!:)

This season's biggest non-scale victory:
I now crave that burning in my legs, a good long ride at aerobic or tempo pace, pushing myself. It feels so good to open up the legs and lungs. I never expected to feel so positive and confident about moving my body. Makes me proud of myself and thankful my DP suggested we get bikes!

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I just started posting because I want to ride to lose weight. You are all very inspiring!

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MIGHTY MO: Welcome... and don't miss out on the Jul/Aug Weight Loss Challenge on this thread! We start a new challenge on Friday.
Jes

Number 7- you got it! I am slowly reforming the 'cankles' into 'ankles'. I was athletic up to the age of 21. Now looking back, I am in better shape even though I'm overweight, than I was then!

As for the eating like someone said about the 'dipping lettuce into ginger dressing' that is one of the reasons I have kept up riding, especially commuting. Moving out there, getting out of a car for the day, and eating for performance not dieting is a win win for me.

And yesterday I was in my glory. Two guys from work went mountain biking with me. They had to dismount and walk up a long hill. I just cranked on by. Loved it!

My biggest victory in the past six months was needing a second pair of new jeans!! I bought new ones because I lost weight, and then they were too big. That pair is getting snug now though...:o so I joined the weight loss challenge. I gave up on the scale a long time ago...my jeans usually tell me what I need to know..:p But I decided to do the weighins this time as part of the challenge (as opposed to personal obsession).

After 4 months of riding a road bike

1) colleagues always telling me i look like i lost alot of weight.
2) mother complimenting my healthier look
3) doctor tells me how healthy I look even though i was there with a flu bug and a fever.
4) parents of students I teach tell me my arms look slimmer (major victory, always had fat 'wing-like' upper arms), that i've lost weight.
5) clothes fitting better
6) cycling buddies (all guys) telling me I lost weight...

all despite being the same weight on the scale...

It really is something to be happy about...

now just to increase that base speed and catch up with the guys in my age group...

D

This thread is awesome. As for me, despite not losing weight in the past couple of years (still want to shed ten), I have gained muscle definition and strength. I can go faster and longer on the bike. My blood pressure which was high has gone down and I have decreased the medication I take. My depression is more manageable when I ride. I am probably in the best shape I have been in since I was sixteen (and I am about to turn 47). I look good in short skirts. I was at a wedding and the bride's brother asked if I was a runner. I said no, why. He said because my legs looked like they did something more than walking! I told him I cycle. Yay for all of us!