Non-Scale Victories for February
 

My apologies if someone else started this thread, but I hadn't seen one yet for February, and I LOVE reading the NSV threads.

My February NSV is that even though I'm not even close to goal, I can't believe the changes I'm seeing in my body! I feel like a little kid discovering something for the first time -- I have bones jutting out of places I didn't even realize there were supposed to be bones and muscles popping up where there were once just layers of fat. My husband has even started to jokingly complain about my "bony butt."

I don't know where that "paper towel theory" went to, but it really is SO TRUE. The first 15 pounds, I could barely tell. The next 30, lots of changes, but oh-so-slowly. Now every 5 pounds seems to make a huge difference in the way I look and feel. It's very exciting & I just thought I'd share!

Smiley Jen! ------> :D

I totally agree with you on this theory. Even with a 35 pounds loss (out of my 100 goal), I can really see a lot of changes:

When I get up in the morning I can Jump out of bed, not drag myself out of it

As I mentioned in Howie’s thread about Superbowl meals, my body is now refusing large amounts of Fast food. Even if I wanted to I could not overeat anymore.

I’m floating in my clothes.

Much more stable on my skis

As for morphological changes, still got a lot of work to do on the belly, but it’s going down slowly. My legs and my face are changing rapidly however.

Ok... so I've only lost 17lbs and have a very long way to go but I have a nsv that I'm kind of embarrased to share but here it goes anyway :^: :o :^: When I meditate before bed I lay on my back under the covers with my hads on the very upper part of my thighs and I used to feel my "apron" flop over my hands well last night I was getting comfortable and ready to start my meditations and I realized something felt funny.... there was no fat to flop on my hands... I was so excited that I jumped out of bed and scared my husband to death. :lol:

Way to go guys!!

My small but fabulous NSV is that I had a pair of size 26 jeans that needed about 2 more inches to button up...but they are on my butt today and I am wearing them without having to stuggle for breath. So needless to say, I am a happy girl this week :)


-the other Jen

Great NSVs all. I hope to have some this month as well :)

I don't really have a NSV but lately I have been trying to get things in order by purging. I have gone from having 70 pairs of shoes (I used to be a major shoe and clothing addict) to having 8 because I can no longer wear size 10.5/11 because they are too big. I am now a 9.5/10. I have also been having to purge a lot of my clothes and today I am wearing a pair of size 28 pants because of nostalgia more than anything. They are so big that it is almost funny but oh well. My underwear drawer is still full of undies that no longer fit but I am trying to hold on to them for some reason. I am planning on throwing them away tonight. (I give away clothes but not undies....)

Sometimes it feels like you are stepping into a brand new life as the weight melts away. I find myself holding onto some things but I'm trying just to accept the changes that are happening.

YAY for everyone's NSV!!!

Ivanna - wow. You have made alot of progress!

Great job, everybody! :cp:

Jen, here's a link to The Paper Towel Theory. I'm so proud of you for the progress you've made!! Your pic and stats look great, and I'm really happy for you. :cp:

Well, it's early in the month yet, so I fully intend to return later to post some more NSV's -- but this is what I have to report right now:

• I'm one sixth of the way done with my chemo (based on what we think at this point I'm going to need to get to remission. :crossed: )
• I haven't let cancer kill my positive attitude.
• While I've gained weight since the diagnosis in December (16 pounds, a full 7 of which I've gained in the last month from a steroid they give me to fight nausea) it actually could have been a lot worse, and hopefully I've reined it in before it got too, too out of control.
• I am exercising again! So if ChemoGirl can do it, ANYBODY can!

I hope the cancer and chemo talk doesn't bum you guys out -- it's pretty much my whole life right now. :^: Just hope it's not a buzzkill! ;)

Not a buzzkill at all, Sarah! Those are huge victories. we miss you around here. I wish I knew something encouraging to say, but I can't really find the words. I think you know, though! you're the best, truly.

It sure is good to see you posting Sarah.

My NSV is I went to Wal-Mart tonight and I'm finally able to buy new shirt sizes. For me shirt sizes go down so much slower than pant sizes. I was so happy I found a 2xl NASCAR shirt and it fit. I love being able to buy the print shirts. I have always been jealous of people being able to buy sports team shrits and I could never find them to fit. Well not anymore. I was jumping up in down in front of the mirror looking at my new NASCAR shirt.

Jennifer I know just how you are feeling Kimberley just the other day was pointing out some new found muscles in my arms. It is such a good feeling.

Sarah posted! Sarah posted!!!!!!! Dancing bananas for all! :cb: :cb: :cb:

So good to see you here, Sarahgirl. I totally agree with Dana, you're not a buzzkill at all... if anything, you're a buzzmaker! Hmm... that doesn't sound right, either -- you're hardly vodka! :lol:

I'm so glad you're getting through the chemo intact and have even started exercising. Does it help your energy in the long run?

I too really am bad at finding words to say, but just know that it's NEVER a drag for you to post here... in fact, it's made my day!

Jen

p.s. Thanks for the link to the paper towel theory!

Always good to see you here, Sarah! I've been over to your blog, but was unable to post a comment for some reason :?: I'm glad to see you're enjoying some great days and finding the strength to deal with the not so great ones. My sweetie (having experienced living on a cancer ward for several months) got a kick out the article you reprinted about the cowardly cancer victim. I know some might find it macabre, but I'm just glad you "special people" can keep a sense of humour through it all.

Okay lunch-time, I'd better get out there and exercise now that I've been shamed into it by "Chemogirl". ;)

Awww, THANKS, you guys!! You sure know how to make a girl feel good! As for the difficulty in posting comments on my blog -- well, that might just be the straw that broke the camel's back! I'm so sick of hearing that people are unable to post comments!! :?: I'm just going to have to delete the program -- the sad thing about that is that I'm going to lose all the wonderful and inspirational comments I've received, as I have NO idea how to archive them. Oh well, onward ho. (I can just hear someone out there now, saying, "Hey, who's she calling 'ho???'" ;) )

Thanks again for making me feel more at ease about the cancer talk -- I've been concerned about it. :^:

Sarah--You use blogger don't you? I think it should still save the comments if you just change your background or whatever. I'm not real good with that stuff by Kimberley might have some advice for you.

I have a NSV of sorts. I was laying the recliner last night (my about 10 minutes of relaxation) and Jeff came in and asked where I went to. My jeans were so huge, they were just bagging everywhere. He grabbed up hunks of material and still couldn't find me :D

Sarah if you are paying for a Haloscan account they have an Export feature that allows you to export your saved comments. Might be worth it to you to pay the membership price to be able to do that if you have not already. I don't think it's halo that is the problem though. I think there is something wrong with the way you have your blog set up. Not real sure what to tell you to look for though.

Great thread. I loved reading this. I love noticing the changes too, I feel like I'm getting my body back. Like it was lost and now I'm starting to see it again. And it's not the same body either, I actually have muscles :lol: (I never really did exercise before.)

Nelie, it's funny you mentioned the underwear. It seems like I noticed my underwear getting bigger before my other clothes. :lol: My winter coat is so big on me now I know I won't be able to wear it next year YEAH! My spring coat is ROOMY -- for a while it was so tight around my hips I felt embarrassed to zip it up. The clothes factor is really inspirational!

My NSV is that even though I've been on a plateau, I have lost inches as is evident from some clothes I wore yesterday that were too tight at the same weight but now fit comfortably. I'll take inches over pounds any day...

My NSV for the month is that as of today, I completed the 14-day Rapid Start Plan (Dr Phil) - 100% on plan, no cheating at all!!! I have never ever managed to stay on plan that long before ever, not with Atkins, not with South Beach, not with anything. This is a huge deal to me - and to top it off, I somehow managed to drop 14.5 lbs in these first 2 weeks! If only I could lose it all 7 lbs a week lol. But I will take what I can get, I only have about 10 weeks before my wedding dress goes in for alterations, then it's maintenance for 6 weeks. :D

WTG Raelynn. That is great!!! I'm glad you found something you can stick with.

I have one. Jeff and I celebrated valentine's day on Saturday night. I was a planned night over overindulgence. Well just to help make up for it, I did 10 miles of WATP tapes yesterday morning. I did a 2 and then 1 mile, stopped to eat a banana. Walked to the 3 mile tape. Made jeff breakfast in bed. Then did the 4 mile one. I had plans of doing tae bo that afternoon and pilates in the evening but I was just too pooped.

Cripes, Dawnyal!! You are outta CONTROL! Hope you had an enjoyable, romantic evening, and that you were able to walk ok!

Sarah--My feet were a bit sore but overall I felt great. It's funny because as I was into the 4th tape (the 4 mile one) it reminded me of Gretchen and those days I would read where she had already put in like 5-6 miles that morning and was still planning on 4 more when she got off work.

Way to go Raelynn that is awesome. You will be at 199 in no time.

You go Dawnyal that is one heck of a workout.

Well I finally have a great NSV, my apologies if my wording embarasses or offend any one. I am so very proud to announce...........

My Tummy No Longer Sticks Out Farther Than My Boobs! WOOHOO!!!!!

kkayp- woohoo!!! now that is a great NSV!

Dawnyal-you are awesome...and its so good to hear that all your hard work is paying off...40lbs gone!

Raelynn-you rock! Staying 100% OP is sooo hard, too much temptation (for me at least)

My NSV this time occured yesterday. I was trying on a sweater at the mall and realized that I no longer needed the 26/28 and the 22/24 looked much better....maybe it was more generously cut, but I was so happy anyways.

To everyone else, congrats and keep up to good work!

Congrats everyone on your NSV's!!

Dawnyal - you are one crazy gal! 10 miles?!? Woah! I'm in awe!

Raelynn - congrats! 14.5 pounds is impressive :)

As for me, mine is completely unrelated to weight loss. This morning I woke up with my familiar cyatic nerve pain, and I managed to stay strong (with a few lapses of completely tears, but only a few!). I was incredibly impressed with my lack of freaking out, usually I am screaming and crying for like an hour.. but this time it was all controlled in 40 minutes :) It kinda sounds lame writing it all down, but I'm pretty proud of myself :)

-Aimee

Aimee--that is a huge accomplishment. I had minor sciatic pain when I was PG and I couldn't imagine getting it that often so for you to get it under control in 40 minutes is indeed a great accomplisment. So what do you have to do to get it under control?

Dawnyal - I took some fish oil pills (can't remember why they work, something to do with protoglanden.. I can't spell either), and then I had a really really hot shower (my skin was red after I got out). Mostly I just breath, and try and focus on the now, like the sensation of the water, the sound of music.. little things like that. Unfortunately I don't have ibuprofen in my house, so I didn't have a choice about taking any pain killers.

-Aimee