Yesterday was quite a challenge for me - work wise. I had planned on doing Bikram after work, but by 5:00 pm all I wanted to do was check out, pick up some wine and hit the couch. I was tired, grumpy, negative, sad, pissed, frustrated - you name it. Bad day all around.
As I headed home, I was in the turn lane toward my 'hood. It's a long light that I usually have to sit through 3 times. There was a definite internal battle as to whether I should go home or do yoga. At the last minute, I pushed my thoughts to the more positive of the decisions. Then I left it to fate. I didn't have water with me so I would have to buy one. So IF there was $3 in my wallet (I NEVER carry cash) then I would go to yoga. If not, I would hit the liquor store with my ATM card and get wine. And guess what, there was $13 in my wallet.
The light turned green and I skidded across 2 lanes to change directions toward the Bikram Studio. The moment I walked in, I started to feel better. As the first bead of sweat dripped from my arm off my elbow, I knew I made the right decision. Class was hard, but I kept thinking that with every drip of sweat, I was rinsing away all the stress and negativity that found itself in my body.
I walked out feeling like a new woman. I felt so amazing and mostly proud for making a good decision.
Then my mom, who has been struggling with her weight, called me while I was driving home. She shared a non-scale victory with me too. She went for a 3 mile walk and turned down and invite to go out for ice-cream. I was really proud of her and just KNEW that today's topic had to be NON-SCALE VICTORIES! (Don't you just love when blog ideas get laid your lap like this?)
You might notice that I removed the "digits" section in my side bar where I accounted for my weight. Since I've managed to stay in maintenance mode (between 128-131) for a while, I have decided to remove that bar. You know my crazy ass will still weigh myself every couple days, but there's no need to post it unless things enter into the danger zone again.
Right now, I'm going to revel in non-scale victories and I urge you all to do the same. Share one in the comments section. I swear it feels really good!
Song of the Day: Don't Know Why (remix) by "My Fitness Music" on iTunes
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43 comments:
That's awesome! I've had that exact same exchange with myself, and I always feel better when exercise wins.
That's so great! Good for you and for your mom.
Nicely done! The comment about each bead of sweat is so true! Great idea about sharing non-scale victories too.
whoohoo - it's always working up the motivation to do it that is the hardest part. way to go! (and your mom too!)
Congrats on the non-scale victories!!!
We are living parallel lives. I was recently having a hideous day at work when it dawned on me, "Wow, I REALLY need to go running." As soon as I left the house I started to feel better, and by the time I was a mile into it, I was no longer thinking about the person who was making me so mad.
It's a great feeling, isn't it?
so much of staying healthy is a mental battle. congrats on winning that one.
i fought the snooze alarm this morning and won a non-scale victory by rolling out of bed at 4:15am and on the trail by 5. it's SO awesome to get back to the trailhead and still have your car as the only one there, or seeing people JUST getting started.
awesome job!!! sometimes it is SO hard to get there but once you are there its SO worth it. especially on those bad days when you can let all the negative go through exercise.
My biggest victory lately was FINALLY going to a speedwork session. I never went to one last year -- too scared of all the "real" runners that would be there and laugh at me behind my back.
Last week I finally sucked up the courage and it was not bad at all!
I liked it so much I did some more on my own & was really looking forward to the session last night.
Now, after refusing to go for almost a year, I wish that we did it more often.
Yea me!
And yea to you too!
Great job and outlook.
I had a similar NSV on Monday - I had plans to go to the gym after work, went home, changed into my gym clothes and then sat down feeling like the gym was the LAST thing I wanted to do!
I told myself to suck it up and I went. I had the best workout I've had in a LONG time!
I've actually been following the PT's advice for developing core strength to support my knee-- and it's working! I tend to think results should happen instantaneously, and it's been a big victory to be patient and actually hear the PT when she said "it will take about a month for any results to show."
Way to move the focus from the numbers to being healthy and making decisions that make your body happy.
Congrats on making a choice that made you FEEL better!
Non-Scale Victories!!! What a great concept! It's a good thing I developed 100 goals other than my weight goal. (My blog is about that particular journey.) I'm going to be spending the next couple of years achieving non-scale victories, so I won't be obsessing about my one "scale" goal. Obsessing just doesn't work for me; I'm way too contrary.
Fate is disappointed in you. The remainder of the $13 was supposed to be used on a cheap bottle of wine.
Don't listen to Vanilla. LOL.
Good for you. I so would have opted for the couch. And yay for your mama too...tell her that blogland is proud.
What a great concept!
I dragged my ass to the gym this morning even though I totally didn't feel like it. That's so much more important than any number on a scale.
So...did you stop for wine on the way home?
That's great and so positive and uplifting, good job!!
NOooo - I didn't stop for wine. I also promised myself NO drinking for the week leading up to my 21 miler. Plus this weekend in Vegas I will make up for lost drinking time.
You've motivated me to have a non scale victory of my own. After a late open house last night and the first day of school today, I was considering hitting the couch. Now I think I'll force myself to go for a run . . . I know once I get started I'll be glad I did!
There have been lots of NSV's for me lately, but the number one right now is not turning to food when I get stressed, which I was a bit, and didn't do, so I was happy.
In Re your comment on my blog, I've become a little to addicted to the scale, as to where it affects my mood, so putting it away, helps. I'm still weighing, but it will just be on a once a month basis. We'll see how month one goes and reevaluate if necessary.
Congrats on the victory. I have to admit, while I don't put the "digits" out there for everyone, I'm just as obsessed as you with my own. I think when you have been overweight, it's just something you fear - getting back to it.
If you or anyone you know ever needs some extra motivation - check out this website: www.fitpics.com
It is a new business that my husband is developing, and while you certainly wouldn't need the main product (motivational weight loss picture), there is a piece you might like. My husband has created a motivational e-course, that is free, you just need to sign up for it. I've been getting his emails and have to admit how impressed I am. While I'm not using the course to loose weight per say, they've helped me with my racing goals -
anyway - I'd love to hear what you think!
AWESOME JOB!
My NSV - According to the doc today, I can start wearing matching shoes this weekend! :) After 2 months of wearing out only the right shoe of my new flats (who wears flats anyway?), I'm pumped!
Hey, thanks for the link! I just noticed!
I talked myself into running at 4 a.m. last week. It was the only possible way to fit it in, and it would have been easier to skip it. Empowerment comes in many forms...and an NSV is one of them! Yay you!
Oh...and Bikram Studio???? Color me insanely jealous. I have to leave town for yoga. Boo.
Passing up that extra glass of wine on Saturday night so I could be rested and hydrated for a nine mile hill run... nine gruelling mountain miles....
And yesterday, I replaced Tuesday night snacking with an extra run so I got in ten miles instead of five... wooot!!!
My size four levis fit this morning with no zipper struggle so I wore them to work.
And today, passed up craving for a croissant and ate quinoa and then took a walk during lunch- will hit gym and Nike run tonight...
The scale has not been my friend lately... so these victories are...
That is great for your Mom. I know you have talked about how much some of her choices affect you. Anywhoo you too on hitting that Bikram class after a long day.
Ohhh now I get to add my NSV fitting into a skirt this past week I bought 5 years ago waiting to lose weight. I know it is not so much the didgits on the scale but how exercise is molding my body.
Alright chica!! Sweetness! You've been doing killer with the weight. Way to maintain!!
You did good, going to Yoga and getting it in even though it was a sucky day. Exercise always makes me feel better.
Glad to hear you made it to Bikram. :)
Congrats on maintaining, that is a huge accomplishment! I love that you took down the sidebar as a "sign" of moving into a new phase! Keep it up!!
As for my NSV....I think inviting the Pepsi Guy to Happy Hour was it!
p.o.m. my NSV is doing my running streak and getting up each morning really looking forward to my run. Tomorrow is day 25!! Thanks for being so inspiring!!!
M
Had a couple NSVs today. At the mall, avoided my favorite Thai fast food. This was really hard because I hadn't eaten yet due to a weigh-in I had in the morning. But I just left the mall & went home & ate my on-plan meal. Also tonight, went to a GFs house for coffee. She had some low-cal treats (rice krispie squares and one-point brownies). I'm not really eating sugar, so I just had coffee with Splenda. I'll take 'em where I can get 'em.
Hi BTW! I'm a new reader.
Good for you! This post cheered me up, for some reason!
Thanks!
Girl, you are awesome!!!! That is very exciting, and the weirdest thing is that I had a very small NSV today...I didn't have any chocolate, no pudding cup and I said no to the chocolate cookies in my pantry!!! Small thing, but huge for me.
Well done!
I love it.
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I love it.
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I love it.
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I love it.
good bye hunk of metal---at least for now huh?
Here goes: Instead of freaking and throwing out my whole plan because of a few bad (stress-related) days, I woke up this morning and got back at my routine. I mean seriously, what good will throwing in the towel do? I can undo the minimal damage done if I get back at it now... three weeks of destruction because of a guilty conscience will do absolutely NOTHING good for my body. I can't tell you how long it's taken me to realize this! :)P.S. LOVE your blogs always POM!
Good for you! It's amazing how that one decision can make such an impact in how you feel. You could've gone home and ate cake- think of the difference yoga made! Thanks for such an uplifting post!
Catching up on my blog reading...one thing...you mentioned you took your "digits" down and I wanted to mention that when I happened on your blog I noticed your "digits" first hand and it helped motivate me to get back to my prepregancy shape...and then some. Perhaps you would consider modifying and adding a "maintained for this many months". I just found in inspirational and perhaps it would inspire others (I put my "digits" on my blog but I did pay ohmage to you!! My two cents.
Forcing myself to go hit the weights again...even though I am still soo sore from last time. Ugh. Pain.
Congrats on your victory!! :)
Great job! You're inspiring me!!! :)
My victory was getting my lazy ass off the couch today for a 4 mile run after feeling sad and sorry for myself all week and not running.
One small step for most people, one giant step for me.
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