NSV: Non Scale Victory

NSV. I see these posted all the time on the Keto FB page I belong to. Non Scale Victories. Whenever we do something that we couldn’t do while overweight, but now can because of the weight loss, we celebrate it and share our NSV. One of the first ones was bending over and tying my shoe without feeling like I was going to pass out. No, really, that was a huge one for me because you do feel like passing out while doing a simple thing like tying your shoe.

So onto today’s NSV. I ran. I ran so fast and hard.

Backstory: I used to love to run. I was a really fast runner. Loved short distance running. Then I blew out my knees, gained weight and running became something I didn’t do anymore. I didn’t even attempt it anymore. Why? Well, my legs would hurt. Sometimes the muscles would hurt so much that it would take days to recover. I actually pulled both my calf muscles once while trying to run. But the worst part was the “lonja”. That’s Spanish for the stomach fat. You know, when you’re so overweight that your stomach hangs. The “overhang” is what I’ve heard it’s also called. So when you’re so fat, when you try to run, the “lonja” slaps against you. First time I felt that, it was so mortifying. Embarrassing. As a former athlete, I was like “what did I do to myself?!”. So I didn’t run anymore. If for some reason, I had to run, I would hold onto my lonja so it would be supported and wouldn’t slap against me. I can’t believe I just typed that sentence out. But yes, it was a reality…an ugly reality.

So today I realized something at work and took off in a mad sprint to stop someone from doing something. I was down the hall and around the corner when it hit me: OMG I’m running. I felt like Forrest Gump. “And I was RUNNING!”. It was great. I haven’t run that fast in ages! And then it hit me….no lonja hitting against the top of my thighs. Oh wow. I got to my destination and was so dang proud of myself.  I ran. Fast. And while I was winded (hey I hauled butt!), I wasn’t overly winded and I wasn’t in pain.

So there’s my NSV. I actually enjoyed it so much that I’m thinking of taking up running again. Last time I remember running for enjoyment, I was pushing my son in a stroller while jogging. My son is now 21 so it’s definitely been a while…actually a couple of decades, when I think about it.

Wonder what NSV I’ll have next?

Excuses, excuses aka lying to myself…

For years, I lied to myself. I convinced myself that I was happy with the way I was. I was ok with being overweight. I was big boned. I was busy. I was….(fill in the blank). Now that I’ve lost so much weight, I realize that I was just making excuses and lying to myself.

And that was an eyeopening moment for myself. I hear people telling themselves the same thing and I have to bite my tongue to not go off on them. I want to say “there is a better way! Invest in yourself and you can do it!” .  But we all have to get to that point ourselves. I just tell them that when they’re ready, that I’m here for them and will help them get started on their own journey. Ultimately, it’s our OWN journey.

Here’s my excuses…well, a small list of my excuses. It could go on for days if you get me talking.

How did I do Keto-wise in August?

Well…. good…and not good. The beginning was hard but it got better after my fall off the keto wagon. Pick myself up, dust off the carbs and back at it!!!

So no more actual pound goal. Now I have a weight area to hit. Check out my update to hear about it. Any tips for me if you have been doing keto long term?