MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE

Like many of us who are trying to break the habit of being made happy or sad by the numbers on our scale, I have decided to only weigh myself once a week. I know that I will lose, plateau as my body adjusts, then lose again. I lost 19 lbs. during the first month and 13 lbs. during the second. I thought I'd lose more month two, but as my husband says, "It's not a race." I measured myself on April 23rd and lost 12" including 3" each from my waist and hips. I measured tonight and it totaled a whopping 17" lost including another 3" from my waist and 5" from my hips! Even my neck lost weight - lol. Those 13 lbs. are looking much more significant to me now.

My point is that we are working to become healthier, lighter and SMALLER. If the only gauge we are using are the scales, then we aren't getting a true picture. The size of our clothes getting smaller - reduced size in our measurements - is what we ultimately notice and what others may comment on (hopefully in a positive, encouraging way). No one asks us what our weight was on the scale; they (we) see it in our appearance.

The NSVs (Non-Scale Victories) that members share need to be part of the criteria as does our increased mobility, the decrease in effort it takes us to accomplish physical tasks, sitting in a chair without feeling the arm rests against your hips, walking 5 km. and not feeling winded, and so on and so on.

I know I am winning everyday and will not be told that I am not by the scale on a day-to-day basis. Remember to take your measurements before surgery and once a month afterwards - you will be glad you did.

This is excellent advice.. thanks Linda. I know I feel sometimes a slave to my scale. I have managed to now only weigh every other week but it's so hard not to get on it every day. I have been keeping track of my measurements for the last couple of months.... Just measured again.. and i'm down about 3.5"... can't wait to see what the progress will be like after surgery.

Keep up the excellent work and I look forward to hearing even more.

Needed this today! I have gained 2lbs since Sunday somehow. Maybe it's because carbs have snuck in a bit more than normal lately and I went to a restaurant for lunch yesterday so the sodium is higher. Carbs and dairy seem to make me retain water but I have to have the dairy because of my protein shakes to get my protein up.

I just need to look at my clothes and that I'm wearing a size 14 in pants (and can get a size 12 on but it's too tight) and a size 12 in shirts now. I wore size 12 at my wedding for my dress and my shirts and I was 35lbs lighter then!! So my inches have come down A LOT!

I'm feeling better (except for the headaches I am getting daily probably thanks for the ever changing weather), clothes fit me better and I'm not afraid of running into people I know from high school and college anymore like I was 100lbs ago!

Thank you for posting this!!! :)