The scale continues to move for me... slowly... Meanwhile, every fourth week I see a gain regardless of what I do. (literally, every 4 weeks; it's that predictable.)
While I don't believe that "everything happens for a reason", I do believe that you can find meaning in anything. For me, I think the slow movement of the scale is there to help teach me to find success in less superficial things then that number.
So, here are some of the things that I have found success in:
- My clothes fit smaller. In fact, I'm back at a weight that I've been at before. It seems to be one of those pivotal weights that I've passed many times and have paused at many times. I have a pair of pants that I have worn many other times at this weight and they've been tight. This time they are loose. So, while I'm revisiting the same weight, it's at a smaller size.
- When I started exercising in January, I set the resistance on my stationary bike at 2, and found that a challenge. I now do high intensity intervals, setting it at 4 for the low intensity segments and 7 for the high intensity segments.
- At the beginning of February, I discovered that I was once again able to do squats and lunges. At that time, I was pleased to be able to do a few without my knees screaming in pain. I now do 3 sets of 8-10 with weight on my back. That's 3 sets of squats, 3 sets of lunges, and usually 3 sets of step ups or deadlifts as well.
- Running to catch up with one of my children no longer leaves me puffing for air.
- I don't have to take a break while walking up the big hill near my house.
- My healthier eating is wearing off on my children and husband. My children ask for fruit for a snack more often then they ask for crackers. My husband has reduced his sugar intake and is choosing to eat more whole grains.
- My arms are noticeably tighter then they were before and there's some definite muscle definition.
- I feel better!
So, yeah, that stupid scale isn't moving as much as I'd like, but fact is, at some point the scale will stop moving. At some point I will be at my goal weight. If the scale is the only thing I am counting on to motivate myself, I will end up riding the yo-yo back up to start the process over. Instead, I am looking at other measures of success. There will always be things I can work towards and see continued success in. That is one of the keys to changing my life.
What are other ways you measure your success?
Great post! The scale is stuck for me right now, and this is a good reminder to focus on other measures of success.
ReplyDeleteWhat you've mentioned, IMO, is so much more important than a loss on the scale. The fact that you can do things that you couldn't do before is amazing and must feel so good. I too used to have knee pain so I know where you are coming from. You really appreciate it when you can do something that you were unable to do before you changed your lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping that you have many more of these "gains" to report in the near future.
You've accomplished some great things, Deb! Especially being the example for your kids. That will impact their whole lives!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am stuck at a familiar weight, but it's so much better than the weight I started at ten weeks ago. And, my pants are looser than they were last fall, which makes me happy!
So, let's tortoise on!