5 Non-Scale Victories You Should Be Proud of

Celebrating the small victories

There's no doubt in my mind that I am obsessed with scales and I can honestly say I get a real rush when I see that number decline on the scale.

But what if the number doesn't change or even worse... it increases? Well, I found myself in this situation last week, and it was very discouraging for me.

For months, I've eaten God knows what while completely neglecting my need to exercise only for my weight to stay the same. However, when I consciously put in the #undeniablework while watching what I eat, that's when the pounds pile on.

It's frustrating to say the least.

For this reason, I'm providing you with a short list of 5 non-scale victories that you can be proud of, both to encourage you and me.

1.) Being Able to Lift Heavier Weights

Weight lifters rarely start with heavier weights when pursuing the sport. Personally, I believe gradual is the best and safest approach. Lifting a couple of extra pounds each day indicates you're in better shape than you were before and your muscles are growing stronger. Keep up the good work!

2.) Your Clothes are Fitting Better

When you gain weight, one of the worst things is being forced to buy larger sizes that you vowed you would never wear. The fact that your clothes have become snug in some cases is embarrassing to say the least, so if you work hard enough to see them loosen up, that's a huge sign you are heading in the right direction. It is said that your pants can tell you if you're losing weight faster than the scale, so DO NOT LET THE SCALE DETER YOU.

3.) Experiencing an improved mood

The two best ways to improve your mood are to get more exercise and to improve your diet. Having a body that does not have to overwork in order to process unhealthy food will leave you with more energy to spend on your mood enhancing activities.

4.) Feeling Fewer Aches & Pain

To put it simply, the less pain you feel, the more you can accomplish. The more you can do, the more weight you can lose. If you lose weight you will experience fewer aches and pains when you exercise, and the cycle will continue.

5.) Improved Sleep

There is no doubt in my mind that this is true. Every time I workout, I sleep like a baby for the rest of the night. When I am able to sleep well, I am more likely to be energized throughout the day, which allows me to do more and continue to sleep better.