Non Scale Victory Thursday!

Hey Heyyyyyyyyy!  It's Non-Scale Victory Thursday and it's been awhile since I posted; I've missed you guys!  I have news to share and of course I would want my NSV peeps to be a part of it!!

Let's get right to it:  This morning, I finished my last assignment for my first Grad class, Research Methods - MY. GAWD. YA'LL...so stinking excited to be done!!  My life has been muddled by it for the last 8 weeks, which is why you haven't heard much from me...but I'm officially done and I have 5 weeks off before my next class begins - wooohooo!  My next class is Statistics and while a lot of people don't like Stats, I really did well in my undergrad Stats class so I hope that will carry through.

My next victory is that last week I went to the doctor for my bloodwork followup and I received great news.  If you have been following me for a while, you'll know that I have been trying to get off my cholesterol medicine for a long time.  The lovely side effects of spending 20 years of your life being obese are many and one of my burdens was high cholesterol.  Not only was I too fat, but it runs in my family so I had a double-whammy against me.  I've been healthy now for more than 2 years, but my dang cholesterol is still being a little tricky so my doctor has wanted me to stay on it.  BUT...last week he agreed to lower my dose AND if I can keep it where it is now, he's going to take me off it at my next appointment in August!  You guys...this made me cry!!  It's so frustrating on so many levels to be a basically healthy person but still have to take a drug that is so controversial...I am beyond elated.  One of the things I love about my doctor is that he's very much into natural and holistic healing.  He gave me a list of things that I could eat or take to help in continuing to lower my cholesterol and I decided to start taking Krill oil.  Anyone else taking it?  I'm going to to really concentrate on more natural ways to keep my cholesterol in check and I hope that in August, which also happens to be my birthday month, I'll have something to celebrate - stay tuned!

Lastly, I wanted to talk about my weight - I know this is a NON SCALE post, but I think it relates well.  So when I was at the doctors office, they of course weighed me.  I was up...like substantially.  In fact, more weight than I've gained at one time during this whole process - 8lbs.  The old me would have freaked...the EFF...out.  But oddly, I didn't.  I'm still kind of in wonderment about this.  And I came to the conclusion that for the first time in my life, I have to believe that my body is changing and maybe I'm starting to build muscle?  This is by NO means any type of excuse and here's the reason...I cannot look back and recall ANYthing that I've done over the past 8 weeks to berate myself over.  I have followed a healthy plan with very little deviation, I have worked out and stayed within my calories.  Do I wonder what the Hell?  Um, yah.  But what can I do?  MORE than I've done??  No...because what more can I do?  I HAVE thought about the difference in my routine, and what has changed is that I lowered my cardio and I upped my strength training.  I also incorporated more healthy fats into my diet and am consuming less refined carbs.  The reason that I know that this is working is because I am down in inches and my clothes are fitting looser.  We've all seen the before and after pictures of the difference in how skinny and fit look.  I guess I am now at that point in my journey.  I know this won't last...the weight will eventually fall off.  Am I looking forward to that day?  YUP.  Am I a tiny bit disappointed?  YES, more than a tiny bit.  But again, how much can I beat myself up over it?

I won't.  Not anymore.  I am going to believe this little quote below.  I have printed it out and it hangs right above my laptop so that I can be reminded of it on days when I'm feeling frustrated.  This whole journey is not about a number anymore to me.  It's about living a healthy life.  And I am...and I will continue to.

I also wanted to say "Thank You" to everyone who continues to inspire me and support me.  I could not do this without you and I am amazed everyday at the love and support people show me.  I hope I can do the same for you.

Be well!