Weigh-In and Non-Scale Victory

Another Tuesday, another weigh-in... As of this morning, I have dropped another 3.9 lbs, bringing my total loss to 14.7 lbs. I am ecstatic about that, but today the majority of my excitement comes from my non-scale victories. For those of you who are unfamiliar with that term, it simply refers to victories that cannot be measured by the scale. My NSV comes from the way my clothes fit, newly found strength and stamina, as well as an increase in the amount of energy I have. These victories, combined with the weight loss accomplishments, give me hope that someday I will lose the desired amount of weight that I want to and can, for once, say that I did it!

This weekend I attended a birthday party for my godson. Prior to the party I kept thinking about what I could wear (nothing in my closet fits any more), so I grabbed a pair of pants that I bought this time last year. I dreaded the attempt to wear them but decided that I might as well. Just a few months ago I "wore" these pants to take family pictures. I use the term "wore" loosely because, unbeknownst to everyone else, I could not even zip or button the pants. I basically just had them on-- thankfully my sweater was long enough to cover the embarrassing site. I remember thinking that day just how despicable that was. I posted my family picture. I look so HUGE and notice the pants (that did not fit)!!

On Saturday, when I put those pants on and could actually ZIP and BUTTON them, I was beyond elated! It felt so good to know that my hard work these last few weeks was paying off. That was just the beginning of my happiness though. Not only were my clothes fitting once again, but I have also noticed that I can make it a little longer through aerobics and can run just a it further. I can squat longer and as the days go on, I add more push-ups to my total count. This feeling is truly amazing and I cannot wait until I have accomplished so much more! Scale victories are fantastic, but I must admit that lately I long for those non-scale victories. Weight may only be measured by the scale, but success is measured in so many other ways. Until next time, Happy Counting! :)

I stand for positive self-image at all sizes...

I saw this posted on Facebook not too long ago and I must say that I totally agree with what it says. I later learned that this picture is from a series of posters created by Marilyn Wann. The poster stems from a campaign started in response to the "fat-shaming" ads that are posted in Georgia. You can see those ads on the blog: Fat Girl Posing (the author's name is Heather). I have seen the ads shaming kids for being fat posted on billboards throughout Atlanta and I do not agree with the way the state of Georgia is trying to raise awareness about childhood obesity. I believe that, no matter what some one's size is or what they look like, one should ALWAYS have a positive self-image and not be ashamed of who you are. Having confidence in yourself is the most important factor when it comes to being successful. Without that self confidence, it is hard to excel at much of anything. In today's society, individuals are ridiculed and judged for not being at what some consider the "ideal" weight. This is something that I know from a firsthand experience. I will admit that it is funny to me that the skinny girls who made it a priority to point out my weight when we were in school are now just as big as I am, if not bigger. That is beyond amusing to me. Maybe I am wrong for being amused by such things, but I would like to welcome them to the fat girls club. ;) I will digress to my original point... Size does not determine one's worth, nor does size exemplify the wonderful characteristic that an individual may possess.  When will people wake up and see that the young lady in the picture may not look like what some of society thinks she should look like, but why do her looks matter? Why does her size matter? If she is happy with the way she looks, let her be!
If you wake up everyday and feel that you are just the way you want to be, whether that be fat or skinny, then You Rock! and no one has the right to tell you otherwise. I am far from skinny mini, and I am not, by any means, ashamed of who I am. My decision to lose weight has nothing to do with how I feel about my body or for that matter, how others feel about my body. I am on a mission to lose at least 87 pounds, but not because I do not feel pretty as I am, but because I want to. I have my own reasons for wanting to drop the weight, admittedly mostly for vanity reasons, but also for health reasons. Whether someone chooses to lose weight or remain curvaceous, I support the decision wholeheartedly. A person's weight is just a number, nothing more, and the sooner others are able to realize that, the better our society will be.

Slow and Steady

I had another weigh in this week and I lost another two pounds. In a matter of three weeks I have lost about 11 pounds. I am not really sure how I feel about that number. Part of me feels like I should be losing so much more than that, but the other part of me feels like I am doing good by doing it this way. I account for everything I eat/drink, and I log all of it and my daily exercises on myfitnesspal account. Before, I was on a 1200 calorie diet and lost so much more within a short amount of time and now it seems like it is taking me forever to lose just 10 pounds. I guess I will be okay with losing it this way-- hopefully that means I will keep it off this time. *fingers crossed* I remember saying before that my ultimate goal is to work out, in some manner, at least once everyday. I have since changed that to just six days a week, realizing that my body has to rest at some point. I don't want to over do it, but I am anxious to see results. I repinned this picture onto my "Workout Ideas/Health & Happiness" board Pinterest...

I have to look back at this picture quite often to remind myself that results are coming. It may happen slower than I would like, but they are happening and that is the important factor. I have noticed some improvements, like my balance is a lot better, I can run just a few seconds longer without getting (as) winded, and I can do a few more push-ups than before. Those are all pluses in my book.

Although my weight loss appears to be slow and steady, I am just happy that I am losing. I will continue what I am doing, maybe even revamp/add to my routine, and pray that it all pays off.

Until next time, happy counting! :)