Non Scale Victories

[Tuckervill]

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.

Holy crap, YES!!!

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

Karen

[Tuckervill]

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

[mimitabby]

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!

[Over50Newbie]

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

Very, very motivating.

C'mon everyone, join in...

Lynette

[bambu101]

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.

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!

[Over50Newbie]

Bambu - you go girl!

Lynette

[Trek420]

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.

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!

Do we work together? 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.

[Tabby]

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!

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......All of you ladies, "JOB WELL DONE, LET'S KEEP IT UP!"

PJ