Non Scale Victories

[shootingstar]

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.

[jesvetmed]

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!)

I can walk around the house naked 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!

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!

[teigyr]

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

[Tabby]

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.

Teigyr,

Isn't it great to just feel better!! 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

[CATWOMAN]

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?