celebrate the victories

I am encouraged today. Weight is something I have always struggled with, at least as long as I can remember. In the last year or so I have really been motivated to do something about it, but it was different this time. Every other time I tried to diet it was in vain. I just wanted to look thinner to get the guy or fit in the dress. This time it has really been motivated by my desire to be healthy above all else. Sure, I still want to look good. Yet, somehow that’s not my main focus. Sometimes it’s hard to realize how far you’ve come. The change comes slowly. Too slow for you to see it all at once. Or the fact that I didn’t meet my year end goal can be discouraging. Today, I am celebrating the victories, however big or small they may be. Let’s go through a few!

1) I am a runner. If you would have told the high school Courtney that one day I would be a runner I would have laughed at you. When I was an intern I completed a 10k (it was mandatory, or else it would have never happened, ha!) When I first started running I couldn’t run for very long and my mile time was upwards of 18 minutes. Now my mile personal record is around 13 minutes (I might feel like dying afterwards, but I made it). This week alone I have run nearly 10 miles. I feel so accomplished when I run. I love beating my own goals. ((and i’ll confess, even the spaghetti noodle legs the next day make me feel good))

2) i fit in my smallest pre-pregnancy jeans. WHAT?! thats right. this morning I was brave enough to pull them out and try them on. They fit, and they fit well. i remember nearly crying the first time i tried on my pre-pregnancy jeans after having Payton. When they say “you’re eating for two” they don’t tell you the weight that you gain doing that doesn’t fall off when you deliver the baby. but its encouraging to know that i’ve made it this far. now on to the weight that was there before the baby!

3) i’ve learned how to cook and use healthier foods. putting spinach in smoothies or other sauces (like spaghetti sauce). using whole wheat flour as opposed to all purpose in certain recipes. occasionally using lean turkey instead of ground beef. trying new recipes like spaghetti squash lasagna. its all about trial and error.

4) i’ve lost 3 inches in my waist since the last time i’ve measured. yes, 3 inches! its been a few months, but today i pulled out the measuring tape and realized i’ve lost 3 inches in my waist and another 2 inches in my hips! that was SO encouraging. While the scale might not show huge drops in numbers, the measuring tape doesn’t lie. i felt like a million bucks!

so, here are to the small victories, hip hip hooray!!

what are some small victories you can celebrate in your life?