Non-Scale Victories: Celebrating Success Beyond the Numbers

Forming a healthier and more nourishing lifestyle habits can be a challenging and long journey. It can be frustrating to see the number on the scale stay the same, even when you feel like you're doing everything right. This is why it's important to celebrate non-scale victories, or successes that go beyond the numbers. By focusing on these victories, you can stay motivated and encouraged, even when the scale isn't moving.

What are Non-Scale Victories?

Non-scale victories are successes that aren't measured by the number on the scale. These are positive changes in your body, mind, and lifestyle. Celebrating these victories can help you stay motivated, especially when you hit a plateau or feel discouraged.

It’s normal to feel discouraged or extra emotional some days.

Focusing on non-scale victories can help you maintain a positive outlook, stay motivated, and turn your health journey into a lifelong pursuit of making better and more nourishing choices for yourself!

5 Non-Scale Victories to Practice

Take Pictures

Taking pictures of yourself and observing your body's changes can be a great way to track your progress and celebrate the milestones that you have achieved on your health journey. By looking back at old photos, you can see how far you have come, even if the scale hasn't moved as much as you would like. This can be a great source of motivation and can help you stay committed to your health goals over the long term.

In addition, taking pictures of yourself and seeing how you have visually changed can be a powerful way to boost your confidence and self-esteem. When you start to see positive changes in your body, it can be a huge confidence boost that can carry over into other areas of your life. By feeling better about your physical appearance, you may feel more confident in your personal and professional relationships and be more willing to take on new challenges and opportunities.

It's important to remember that taking pictures of yourself should be a tool to help you stay motivated and track your progress, rather than a source of self-criticism or negativity. Instead of focusing on flaws or areas where you feel like you haven't made progress, try to focus on the positive changes that you see and the progress that you have made.

More Energy

One of the most significant non-scale victories of a more nourishing lifestyle is the increase in energy levels that you experience. When you start making more nourishing food choices for yourself, you are reducing the burden on your body, which can make it easier for your body to function efficiently. Additionally, when you increase movement, your body releases endorphins, which can help you feel more energized and focused.

With more energy, you will likely find that you can accomplish more throughout the day. You may be able to complete tasks that were once difficult or challenging, and you may feel more productive overall. You may also find that you are less likely to experience fatigue or feel sluggish throughout the day, which can have a positive impact on your mood and overall quality of life.

To celebrate this non-scale victory, try incorporating new activities into your routine that require more energy. For example, you could try hiking, taking a fitness class, or joining a sports team.

Improved Mood

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through better food choices and increased movement can provide an enormous boost to your overall well-being, including your mood. Research has shown that regular movement and incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help decrease feelings of stress and anxiety while boosting feelings of happiness and positivity.

Incorporating enjoyable activities into your daily routine, such as spending time with friends, taking a relaxing bath, or indulging in a favorite hobby, can help you stay committed to your healthy lifestyle goals by providing a source of positive reinforcement and pleasure. By celebrating your non-scale victories in this way, you can stay motivated and committed to making the healthy lifestyle changes necessary to achieve optimal physical and mental health.

Healthier or More Nourishing Habits

When you begin to prioritize your health, you may start to pay more attention to the foods you eat and the way you prepare them. For example, you may begin cooking more meals at home using fresh ingredients, rather than relying on pre-packaged or processed foods. Alternatively, you may start snacking on fruits and vegetables instead of reaching for convenience foods.

To celebrate this non-scale victory, you can try new healthy recipes or experiment with new fruits and vegetables. This can be a fun and rewarding way to incorporate more nutritious foods into your life, and to keep things interesting as you continue on your health journey. You might also consider sharing your new healthy habits with friends and family, or joining a community of like-minded individuals who are working towards similar goals.

Increased Confidence

As you achieve non-scale victories and become more fit and healthy, you may notice an increase in confidence. You may feel more comfortable in social situations or more confident in your appearance. Celebrate this victory by doing something that challenges you, like speaking up in a meeting or trying a new workout class!

Takeaway

Remember, the journey to living a more nourishing life, is not just about the numbers on the scale! It's about the positive changes you make in your body, mind, and lifestyle along the way. So celebrate your non-scale victories and use them as motivation to keep going. What non-scale victories have you achieved recently? Share them in the comments below!

Angela Houlie, MS, RDN, CDN, LDN

Angela Houlie, MS, RDN, CDN, LDN is a NYC based dietitian and founder of My Fruitful Body Nutrition.

https://www.myfruitfulbody.com/
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