Well, there it is, 50 days in (roughly) and I'm still doing pretty well. I came into the week at 289.2 pounds, which was down 25.8 total since the reboot began. As of today, I am down to 286.8 or, as I like to look at it, 2.4 for the week. I couldn’t be happier with the progress so far, but that led me down the path of something a bit different. I weigh myself daily to keep tabs on my progress, but this isn’t something many people should do. In fact, I know that many weight loss programs really try to get people to start looking at NSV's or non-scale victories, so that's what I want to focus on this week.
Non Scale Victories: These are the points that you will hit during a diet that don't count on the scale. A NSV could be something as small as getting your original wedding band on your finger or something as large as replacing a wardrobe. It might be an accomplishment like walking a mile a day or playing a round of golf without needing a cart. NSV's are not part of a diet, they are part of the goal of dieting. From looking better to shopping a normal clothes rack, NSV's set the tone for your life.
The Scale Lies: One of the most common NSV's that I see in most people is definition that wasn't there before. As fat comes off, the weight begins to drop. As muscle builds, our weight can go back up. This is what many would coin "Fake News" and is something that could be detrimental to just about any dieter's psyche. Imagine losing 10 pounds, then walking more, hitting the gym and playing more golf. The next week, you weigh in and you're up 5 pounds. Building muscle mass slows weight loss, but in the long run, you're far better off.
Clothes Speak The Truth: When I started this journey, I was wearing a size 44-46 pant and 3XLT shirts. Most of the time, I would cram into a smaller size just to avoid having to go to the big and tall stores to find something to wear. During my first run down, I made it back down to a 40-42 pant, but kept my somewhat baggy t-shirts around. Well, just 50 days into the reboot, I'm actually back in a size 38 jeans and I'm down to a 2XLT shirt. Again, my journey is just starting really, but for those struggling with numbers on a scale, remember, it's not about what the scale says if all the clothes are getting loose.
My personal journey will be longer than others, but that's OK. I understand that I won't drop my 100 pounds overnight, nor will every week tally up a loss like this week. It may take me 6 months to reach a goal or maybe even 6 years. Either way, I'm taking each day one by one and each drop with a smile. I know there will be days when drops don't come, but that doesn't mean my pants won't fit a bit looser than they did the week before. Non Scale Victories are just as important as the actual number on the scale, and that's the important thing to remember.
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