Non-Scale Victories!

Non-Scale Victories!

I’ve been pretty blessed, so far, on my quest to become healthy. I’m beginning to recognize that my goal is truly “health”, and in my case, weight-loss is one of the by-products of becoming healthy. I know this because not all thin people are healthy! Regardless, I want to be healthy not only physically, but also spiritually, emotionally, financially, and relationally…need I go on?! HEALTH is the goal! Because it is, there are so many things to celebrate as I travel this road to health. Yes, it’s great to see those numbers going down on the scale, but there is so much more!

Priorities! – As a result of this “COVID Season” and being home, it has forced me to consider my habits and disciplines (or lack thereof!) I started off by making a list of what I wanted to accomplish in a day, and then I made a schedule with those things on my calendar. The truth is, it took a while to actually work the list and follow the schedule! After guilting myself for a while, I finally realized that I had put on the list what I thought I “should” do vs. putting on the list what I really “wanted” to do. When we “want” something, we make a way for it to come to pass! Now, did I start out “wanting” to do everything on the list? No! But we have to start somewhere, sometimes, and I figured out that I needed an attitude adjustment. What I did was go back and take another look at the list. I made sure to schedule the things that were important to me, and make sure that I prioritized my list based on the “why” behind what I was doing. I asked myself if the things I had scheduled truly lined up with and would propel me forward toward my goals. For instance, the things that lined up with my health goals took precedence…time in the Bible and with God first thing in the morning is vital to not only my spiritual health, but my overall health! The Bible tells us in Proverbs 3:5-8 to “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be health to your body and refreshment to your bones.” Yes please! Clearly, time with God is an absolute must for me on this path that I’m on, as it is in total alignment with my goals! I also began to pay more attention to the things that were monopolizing my time and creeping into the schedule (like Facebook and playing games on my iPad first thing in the morning). These things are time-sucks, and they don’t necessarily add value to my life, or anyone else’s, which was another big part of my “why”. Priming myself with a positive video to keep me motivated, reading a book, and writing are all also other priorities for me. I challenge you to look at your schedule, and if you don’t have one, think about your “why”, and create one! It may help you to create some disciplines that will pay off far more than a number on a scale ever will!

Self-Talk - This one has been a challenge for me! I caught myself one day, as I was stepping out of the shower, talking to myself and saying things I would NEVER say to anyone else! I had no idea how disrespectfully and downright mean I could be to me! Again, I would never speak to another person that way, so why did I think it was okay to talk to myself that way? Well, the good news is, that once you have an awareness like that and then purpose to do something differently, the change can come. Today, as I stepped out of the shower, I first saw something to complain about, but I caught myself and replaced the thought. I interrupted the thought that said, “Wow, Carrie, this gut…” and quickly looked for a positive change. I replaced it with, “Good job Carr…your arms are starting to firm up-getting stronger!” Something so simple, but we have to be more kind to ourselves. God’s Word says that, “…I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” I am God’s wonderful creation, so how dare I speak wrongfully toward that which He has created. That’s just rude! Find the good things, and sometimes you may have to dig, but I promise there are good things about you that you need to call out to yourself, rather than the negative all the time. I’m getting better at it, so I’m calling it a victory!

Closet Purge – So recently, I was able to get in my closet and I literally tried on every piece of clothing that I own. I was surprised at how many things I had to release because they were literally too big! The good news is that in the past, I hung on to everything, so I still have clothes that fit, but I am currently wearing my smallest sizes! Once these clothes become too big, I’m going to have to shop! I’ve decided, however, that in order to serve my financial health, I’m consigning what I can of my wardrobe that’s too big so that I may have the funds to purchase some second-hand clothing in a size that will fit. Why spend money on brand new clothes that I won’t be able to wear this time next year? Once I’ve met my scale goal and have maintained it a while, then I will consider buying brand new. In the meantime, my clothes are shrinking, not just the number on the scale! Score!

Crossing My Legs – Okay, can we be real?! For most of my life, my inner thighs have been heavy, and if I’ve ever been able to cross my legs, it’s been a forced effort that I couldn’t hold for long. Anyone else know my pain? The struggle is real! It may not seem like a big deal to most, but I feel prettier when I can cross my legs somewhere other than my ankles. I’ve always felt like crossing my legs at the ankles felt very much like a grandmother thing, but for years, it’s been my only option…until now! Yay…I’m feeling young and feminine these days…much better than a number on a scale!

Endurance – let’s face it, I’m no spring chicken anymore, but I’m feeling great! It’s so nice to not get so worn out when I run my errands, but it’s even more exciting to feel strong when I do cardio and work out. I remember that when I started this leg of my journey, I was making myself get on my mini trampoline to run and I was pushing myself to stay on for ten minutes. Now, I do thirty minutes and feel strong all the way through! I’m also working out with my daughter right now at Orange Theory, and it feels good to be able to keep up with a twenty-six-year-old on the treadmill and be motivated to push myself. Incline and duration…those are the numbers I’m interested in these days!

Power of a Plan – So I’m loving this new way of living where I take some time on a Saturday morning and plan my meals for the coming week. Using my Carb Manager as a tool to set myself up for success with my eating, and then making a grocery list from that plan has really served me, not only in my health goals, but also in my financial goals, as well. I make my grocery list based on my meal plan, and then do not deviate from it. I’m not making spontaneous purchases at the store, which has kept my grocery bill in line, as well. Planning…who knew that having a plan could be so rewarding?!

Encouraging Others – One of my greatest discoveries on this journey has been recognizing that this is not all about me! We are human beings, which means we all have issues and hang-ups, and we all have our own “vices”, if you will, for coping with them. I’m loving the opportunity to possibly help someone else who may struggle with my same hang-ups, by sharing my story and what I’m discovering is helping me to overcome, along the way. Stepping outside of ourselves and loving others is what Jesus said was one of the greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-39, “…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself…” As I’m learning to love myself more and care of this life that I’ve been so richly blessed with, I’m finding more of a desire to share my journey with others and not just keep it all to myself. I’m recognizing potential in others and want them to experience the joy I’m truly finding in this journey. The thought that I can help, even one, makes it all worth it! Though the scale numbers going down are exciting, there’s nothing more rewarding than walking this road with someone else and possibly influencing their journey for the better!