Confession time, collegiettes. As I’ve been following the SELF Drop 10 Diet and happily weighing in on the Lose the Freshman 15 DietBet as the pounds tick off the scale, I’ve fallen into the habit of forgetting one of my most important health philosophies. That is, that the number on the scale is just that—only a number. Sure, it’s one way to track the changes your body is going through, but everybody (and every body) changes at a different pace, in different ways, and that change might not be apparent on the scale.
So, I’d like to dedicate this blog post to Non-Scale Victories. Even if you don’t know them by name, chances are, you know what I’m talking about when I talk Non-Scale Victories. NSVs are those markers and milestones that remind you that all your hard work is worth it, even if the number on the scale isn’t budging. NSVs can come in all forms, from improved mile times to just noticing that your butt is looking just that much finer in the mirror.
Here’s a list of my favorite NSVs:
- Pulling on your Skinny Day Pants and finding out that they fit no problem, no jumping and wiggling into the required.
- When your stomach starts its midday grumbling, you find yourself craving fruit and veggies, not chips and candy.
- Not getting winded on your Oh-crap-I’m-late sprints to class/work.
- Walking past the mirror and stopping—what’s that? Muscle definition?
- Having to notch your belt down a size in the morning.
- Venturing into the weights section of the gym and not feeling like a total noob (even if you still kind of are).
- Those “Have you lost weight?” compliments. Even if you haven’t, you’re definitely looking fitter and people are noticing.
- Finishing your normal workout and feeling like you could keep on going—so you do.
- Finding yourself having to resist the undeniable urge to run around your apartment in only a bra and panties. Or, you know, not resisting said urge. (Unless my roommate is reading this. In that case, I totally don’t do that when you’re not home, Jack.)
- Feeling generally more energetic, happy and confident. It’s happening to me—is it happening to you?
Moral of the story: While I hope everyone is having fun Dropping 10 and shedding 4% of your body weight for DietBet, but that’s not all that matters. Celebrate all the victories, collegiettes, because they are everywhere! What are your favorite NSVs?