My weight isn’t moving…not up; not down; not even laterally.  It’s stuck and quite frankly it’s testing my patience.  The number on the scale has been a big indicator of how my health is doing when I am eating well and exercising regularly.  Now I’m relying on non-scale victories (NSV) as evidence of my commitment to health. 

Non-scale victories are everything from choosing vegetables and hummus for snacks instead of my favorite chips to having to wear a belt with my favorite pair of jeans because they’re getting loose.  These are little things I can see as improvements in my health, fitness and well-being without obsessing about the scale.

One big NSV I’m revisiting motivated me on my original weight loss journey: the towel goal.

I have two sizes of towels for my bathroom.  At my happy weight I fit into my regular bath towel.

For now my big blue towel keeps it all covered.  It’s too big but I can handle it.  I don’t want to put on a show while getting ready in the morning. *Yes I’m wearing my t-shirt…the blog definitely isn’t a show. *

My goal is to fit into my funky lime green towel comfortably by my birthday.  For now it’s a works in a pinch but I’m holding on to keep it all in. 

My birthday is mid-January…feel free to remember .  I think three months is a fairly conservative goal to continue seeing my body shape change even if the size and weight is not.  I’ll be happy with progress as I continue to adjust to the challenges of my body with my current health situations. 

Last Week’s Goals

• Finish two books.  I said it was easy…and it kind of was.  I finished my two easy books and picked up a YA book while waiting for my next book to come in inter-library loan.  Also super driving this week I’ve almost finished another book on CD.   
• Go back to Zumba.  My old Zumba class does not fit in my schedule.  It was always hit and miss.  This week I tried the other Zumba class in the area and loved it.  Bonus they have multiple class to try throughout the week.  So fun! 
• Cook ahead.  I cheated. Several meals I planned to eat this week went straight to the freezer and we ate eggs, chili and leftovers.  So technically I’m stocking the freezer but need to get more of my planned meals in there so we have our favorites when we want comfort food after a long day.
• Work hard.  So much work done…my ear is tired of the phone and I don’t want to type another letter.  Upside I didn’t open my email all week…well that could be a downside because Hunni said there are over 100 non-junk emails in there as of Thursday.  Eek!
• Plan my holiday posting schedule.  Adding a posting schedule and editorial calendar to my blogging was the best idea ever!  I don’t have November and December completely scheduled but I am comfortable with how far ahead I’m scheduled and planned.  Makes it so easy to write when the stress pops up.
• Work on my Facebook Page.  I have journals of ideas and randomness to share but don’t know how to fit it all in.  This week It All Changes on Facebook was hopping with some of these ideas, questions and even a giveaway.  I enjoy having a separate space to share unique ideas not shown here.  Be sure to like It All Changes and check it out and join in.

This Week’s Goals

• Big writing.  I have a few guest posts, longer posts and writing ahead to do.  Not to mention writing for work.  My “free” time this week will be writing time.
• Day off fun. We don’t have many true days off so Monday is nice.  We’re going to live it up.  Okay we’re seeing a matinee movie but that’s big for us.
• No eating out.  Money leaks out of our pockets like water.  We know simple meals but choose eating out for convenience at least once a week.  This week we don’t need to eat out and we need to save some cash.
• Start vacation planning.  Our vacation next year is a doozy.  Instead of our little bitty here and there vacations we want to travel to see friends who live a bit further south.  That means starting planning now.  First step…pick the time frame. 
• Balance workouts.  I’m back to regular workouts but I need more balance.  Cardio is great but focused strength is important too.  I have strength routines…now I need to take them to the gym.
• Recipe Perfection.  I have a few recipes that need some tweaking.  This week is tweak perfect timing.  Monday, Friday, and Saturday have open time and Hunni and I love taste testing.