Friday, August 28, 2015

NSV: Finding Success Where I Can

The scale and I have a mutual agreement: I hate it, and it hates me. It's not the ideal relationship but it's not messy or dirty. Simple. Clear cut.

The relationship has become more defined as I try to navigate this whole post-baby body bull shit. I workout, I track my food, I try to eat things I should and avoid the crap. I try to trust in the process. Yet, when I step on the scale it gives me a big middle finger and displays the same number time after time after time. Or, when it's feeling especially sassy, the number goes up.

I hate it. It hates me.

On the rare occasion, after a few weeks of unacceptable numbers from the scale and me on the verge of going all "Office Space" on it, the number jumps down 2 pounds.

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"Ha, ha, lady. Just playing. You can put the Tiger Tail away now."

The challenge of losing the weight would be enough to drive even the sanest of people crazy but add in sleep deprivation and hormones and ... well ... it's been tough.

Thankfully, I've found solace in the NSV – non-scale victory to those who haven't spent hours in a Weight Watchers meeting room.

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Like finally fitting into one of my favorite pre-baby dresses. I'm not talking like "OK, I can sort of slide this down over my taco pooch" but "Hey, you can't see the rolls." I was very happy and, appropriately, took a bathroom selfie to celebrate. Note: Aren't you glad there's a biohazard box on the wall? Just in case we need to do a rogue appy after lunch.*

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And then there's the fact that I can wear a couple pairs of running shorts that were too strained against my hips and too snug on the legs that my thighs ate them and I looked like I was running in a bikini ala the Bugaboo ad. To those in Fort Wayne who witnessed that sight, I am sorry.

There have been some ever satisfying comments from friends who compliment me and tell me they can notice a change – even if the scale is still on my bad side.

Maybe, though, the most rewarding has been checking myself out in the mirror when I teach class. I can see my muscles – the definition in my shoulders, the biceps pop when I curl. I might not ever be skinny-skinny the way I was at my lowest weight two kids ago but damn if I won't be strong.

So the scale can suck it. I might be losing weight at a snail's pace but I'm taking back my old self piece-by-piece.

*Obviously, I have been watching far too much "Grey's Anatomy" while I nurse.

4 comments:

  1. I think you kit is on the head when you mentioned hormones and sleep deprivation. Because, seriously - your body just GREW A PERSON and is continuing to FEED THAT PERSON (hi Si!!) so the scale should have ZERO to do with your measure of a successful self.

    But it does. And it is an asshole.

    Because I for one think you are amazing :)

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    1. hit it, NOT kit is. sigh. the keyboard hates ME haha.

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  2. This was good for me to read as I enter the "I feel lumpy" phase of postpartum. The first 6 weeks I feel small and awesome (I had a baby! I'm so much smaller not pregnant!) And now it's "why do I still look a little bit preg? Why so loose and squishy, midsection?" *sigh*

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  3. This was good for me to read as I enter the "I feel lumpy" phase of postpartum. The first 6 weeks I feel small and awesome (I had a baby! I'm so much smaller not pregnant!) And now it's "why do I still look a little bit preg? Why so loose and squishy, midsection?" *sigh*

    ReplyDelete