Non Scale Victories

[Crankin]

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.

[redrhodie]

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.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

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.

[Goldilocks]

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

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

[Tabby]

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

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

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

PJ

[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?

[Pedal Wench]

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.

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.

[Tabby]

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.

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

[GLC1968]

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!!

[Over50Newbie]

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

[Number 7]

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.