An NSV past year three...

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: NSV’s (or non-scale victories) are hard to come by at 3.5 years post-op. Hell SCALE victories are hard to come by. My approach? I try to appreciate the little things. But today I have something BIG (for me) to report.

 

I can stand on one leg for a loooooooong time without losing my balance.

 

(WTF?)

 

Ok, back story. In the beginning of my journey I used to like the Biggest Loser workout DVD’s a lot. They had people who looked like me who were obviously struggling with the workout like me and that was comforting. If I’m going to exercise, I don’t wan to do so along perfect people who make it look like it SHOULD be easy. It’s hard!

 

Anyhoo, Bob (I love Bob…) said in one of the first videos I tried that being able to balance on one leg is a sign of a stronger core. He encouraged folks to practice while doing things like waiting for food in the microwave or while alone on an elevator. He also encouraged us to do things like squats and lunges on one leg (alternating legs) to improve our core strength.

 

Well I took that advice to heart. It seemed easy enough. And it created some pretty funny moments in my life. I took to practicing the tree pose wherever I could. At first I had no balance at all. I’d grab on to the nearest thing for dear life (even though sometimes the nearest thing was no more stable than I was). Once I fell on one of my kids (she took it in stride and was not hurt. Once the elevator door opened unexpectedly to a crowd of people wondering what the HELL I was doing. (I was in the zone!)

 

But I’ve kept at it, alongside other workouts, and I’ve gotten better. Well the other day I was walking and my leg itched. The mosquitoes, they eat me alive, you see. Bug repellant seems to excite them even more, but I digress. Well I stopped on the sidewalk to scratch my leg. You know how that is. Scratching feels soooooo goooood. Stopping? Does not. So I’m scratching and scratching and scratching and it occurs to me. I’ve been standing on one foot for a good three minutes!!!!

 

I was so excited I fell over.

 

Since then I’ve been like a friggin’ flamingo. At Body Pump class they did a stretch where we grabbed one foot and balanced on one leg and I did it EXTRA long…because I could. And I tree pose like a mofo! (Note: I’ve moved on to trying to master a far more challenging pose: the dancer pose)

 

So there you have it. A bonified NSV at 3.5 years out. I had to share it with you guys!

That really is awesome!  And, thanks for the tip on balancing - I've been taking a dance class and realized how weak my core is - I'm definitely going to try it.

This is great and oh so true! I teach a kids karate class twice a week and one of the things we tell the kids is to stand on one leg while they are brushing their teeth, watching TV, etc. It really helps.

I too was always frustrated with the pencil thin folks in workout videos that made everything look so easy.  You are right--just about everything IS easier when you have a strong core.  I've really built my core muscles up (core is from armpits to top of thighs....not just abs) and find yoga is so much easier now, and yes, my balance has greatly improved!

Congrats to you my flamingo friend!

Kim

I have had a very stressful year. I was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago and I am now 2.5 years post op. I was always stressing about my loose skin on my tummy and innerthighs and of course what little bat wings i had i was unhappy with too.
I had a procedure called DIEP where they gave me a double mastectomy and used my stomach fat for new breasts so that means I got a tummy tuck out of the deal too. This means i look awesome from the waist up but the inner thighs are still horrible looking.
I dont stress about it anymore. After losing all this weight i am content with myself saggy inner thighs and all. My brush with cancer made me realise that being alive and cancer free is much better than worrying about loose skin. I am happy for each day I have been given.

Amazing attitude!  You are an inspiration.  And there are always Spanx to control those thighs!

So true, Nora! You are my hero! 

Laura

Nikki, you totally crack me up!  You get on with your flamingo-copying bad self!  Right on...


tori