POPSUGAR

Screw the Scale! These 15 Women Share Nonscale Victories That Mean So Much More

Dec 9 2018 - 7:47am

The goal of eating healthier and exercising is usually to lose weight. But along the way, whether you've lost five, 50, or 100 pounds, the number on the scale starts to mean less when you experience nonscale victories that greatly improve your health, your abilities, and your level of happiness. These women have amazing transformations [1], and hopefully by sharing their nonscale victories, it'll be a source of inspiration for your own journey.

Danielle Found Food Freedom

Danielle Doan didn't count count calories or carbs and dropped 50 pounds [3] in over a year. She not only feels freedom in being able to keep the weight off, but Danielle also said, "I am finally finding food freedom on my journey. I have energy I never had in my 20s. My knees don't bother me like they used to. I have gained a community of people through this incredible journey, and I have become closer to God as I have learned to care for my body better."

Jess Has More Confidence and Energy

Jess Dukes followed the Portion Fix Meal Plan [4] from Beachbody (the one with the color-coded containers) and lost 75 pounds [5]. The biggest nonscale victory Jess has noticed is confidence [6]. "It is an incredible feeling to wake up each day and just feel good in my own skin and actually like what I see in the mirror," she said. "I no longer feel sluggish all the time and actually have energy to take on the day!" Jess has gone from a size 16 to a size two, and she loves being able to wear whatever she wants and finally fit her calves into cute Winter boots!

Ali Can Deadlift Over 300 Pounds

As a CrossFitter, Allison Lamay felt like tracking calories just made her eat whatever she wanted, so she switched to counting macros. Other than achieving a 141-pound weight loss [7], Allie has done things the 311-pound version of herself would never have been able to do four years ago.

"I did my first strict pull-up [8], handstand push-up, and bar muscle-up [9]. I now deadlift more than my previous bodyweight and have competed (and podiumed!) at several local CrossFit competitions [10]," she said. She ran her fastest 5K this Summer (27 minutes!) and even ran a leg of a local state marathon.

Allie is now able to shop at any store she wants to and no longer feels out of place shopping with her friends. "Shopping is a victory for me because at my previous weight, I knew that most stores I went to weren't going to have my size (which was 24 at my heaviest). I recently bought my first pair of single-digit-sized jeans, and that was a huge nonscale victory for me!"

Olivia Is So Much Stronger

Olivia Rebenstorff shared that by following Beachbody's 80 Day Obsession [11], she lost 15 pounds [12]. "You really get to see yourself get stronger, and that feeling is empowering," she said. She added that being able to fit into clothes she couldn't wear before is another victory.

Danielle Has the Confidence to Wear a Bikini

Danielle Rivoli lost 40 pounds [13] and experienced these nonscale victories:

Jen Loves Herself Again

Jen Wagner implemented intermittent fasting [15] throughout her entire nine-month journey, and here are some nonscale victories [16] Jen experienced from losing 85 pounds [17]:

Jessica Can Now Do Traditional Push-Ups

Jessica Field wanted to make some changes and "set a good example of what it means to be happy, healthy, and confident" for her daughter. She had a history of yo-yo dieting, and after being tired of the ups and downs, she started counting macros [18] and lost 15 pounds in 10 months.

"For so many years, I let the number on the scale dictate how I felt about myself and that's just absurd; I'm more than a number," she said. One of her biggest nonscale victories is finally being able to do traditional push-ups [19]. She's also increased her box jump [20] to 30 inches and can now deadlift [21] and bench press [22] with a barbell.

Melissa Has a 6-Pack For the First Time Ever

Melissa Leto was all about ditching sugar [23], meal prepping for the week on Sunday, and eating healthy to fuel her workouts. She was able to lose 52 pounds [24] in two and a half years and completely transform her body. Melissa proudly shared that she has "six-pack abs [25] for the first time ever." She also has the strength and energy to play with her kids, and now, as a Beachbody coach herself, she loves inspiring others to start to make a change.

Jordan Doesn't Fear Exercise Anymore

Jordan Watters followed the 80/20 rule [26], lost 75 pounds [27], and experienced these amazing nonscale victories:

Arielle's Mindset Has Completely Changed

Arielle Lorre made nutrition her focus, she eliminated foods that didn't agree with her [28] like cane sugar, and now she feels much better and much less bloated. "The major victories I have experienced have been nonscale-related; in fact, from the start to where I am now, my weight has only fluctuated about five pounds. Those victories have been almost entirely in my mindset: how well I treat my body, my newfound patience with the process, and understanding that this is not a race to a finish line," she shared.

For Arielle, feeling good has truly become the goal, and doing the things that make her feel best result in physical changes as well. "A lot of us don't realize how good we can feel if we take certain actions," she said.

Dana's Clothes Fit Better

Dana Stemrich used to drink two to three cans of soda a day but ditched it for unsweetened tea instead. Within a year of giving up soda [29], she went from a size 12/14 to a size 10/12. This is an example of how one simple choice can have a huge impact on your health.

Reghan Loves Fitting Into Cute, Stylish Clothes

Initially, meal prepping was extremely difficult for Reghan, but once she made it a habit, it helped her make healthier choices, which resulted in losing 80 pounds [30]. Feeling strong, having more confidence, and being able to fit into cute, stylish clothing are just a few of her nonscale victories.

Tina's Health Greatly Improved

Tina Adams began controlling her portion sizes; focused on lean meats, veggies, and whole fruits; drank one gallon of water a day [31]; and lost 52 pounds [32] in eight months.

Through this journey, Tina was able to lower her blood pressure, put an end to her chronic headaches [33], and walk up stairs without being short of breath. Her clothes became too big, her wedding rings needed to be resized, and links needed to be taken out of her watch. "I had a leather jacket that I struggled to zip up," Tina shared. "I remember one day I put it on and zipped it up without even realizing. I was so happy, I couldn't believe it!" It made Tina feel proud when friends and family noticed her weight loss.

Tina shared, "This may have started as me wanting to lose weight, but it has become so much more. I'm happy with myself and who I've become. I'm not just slimmer, I'm healthier, and that's the most important part."

Kim Loves Being Seen as an Inspiration to Others

Kim Dye lost most of her weight — 100 pounds [34]! — by simply walking and tracking everything she ate on a free app. Some of Kim's favorite nonscale victories include:

Lexi Has More Self-Love and No More Acne

Lexi Lowther was all about using portion-control containers and was able to lose 50 pounds [35] in eight months. Apart from being able to move from a size 14 to a size four, "I have more self-confidence and self-love," Lexi shared. She's more positive, and her glass is always half-full now. She has energy to do anything, and her sleeping schedule has improved dramatically.

Another bonus? "No more acne! My face has become so clear." What's more, the issues she had with her digestive tract are no longer there — all amazing things!


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Women-Share-Favorite-Nonscale-Victories-45561403