Why Non-Scale Victories Matter

Losing weight is one of the best things you can do for your health. Being at a normal BMI will improve your health, increase your energy level, and put you on the path to a longer, happier life. That means more time to spend with grandchildren and even great grandchildren.

However, in the quest to lose weight we can become overly concerned with the number on the scale. To be thinking about your weight 24/7 is neither healthy nor is it the goal of the Slimband program. We want you to be able to enjoy life's adventures free of the burdens of obesity. Eventually you may not even think about your weight anymore because it's no longer an issue in your life.

But if you're still tracking the downward progression of the number on your bathroom scale, this is a great time to talk about the importance of Non-Scale Victories. These are just as important as losing pounds because they speak to the joys of being human.

As a Bond villain says to the hero in one of the more recent 007 films: "There's no point in living if you can't feel alive."

With that as our starting point, let's dive into the wonderful world of Non-Scale Victories! This will be a special 3 part series, with this issue being first in the series. Each issue will feature an idea for your own Non-Scale Victory Challenge.

Feel free to modify the challenge or create entirely new ones suited to what you enjoy most in life. Consider making a list of 10 of these and tacking it somewhere where you'll see it every day. That can be your starting point – feel free to be creative and think outside the box!

Without further ado, our first challenge. This one involves throwing on your boots and getting outdoors for an adventure:

1) Moving Right Along – The Outdoor Exploration Challenge

This is a challenge for explorers and adventurers at heart. Leave the car keys at home, partner, we're going on foot for this one. Ask yourself? "What places / secret trails have I not explored in my neighbourhood that I've been meaning to discover for ages?" Now, put a plan together. Make a day of it – pack all the supplies you need into a knapsack and set out on foot.

You might want to bring a pedometer to track your progress. That way, when you get back home, you can record how many steps you took along the way. You might also bring a small notepad to record things you notice along the way (or just to make doodles in, if you're so inclined)

When you get back home, ask yourself these questions:

Was I able to climb any stairs I encountered without being out of breath once I reached the top?

How was my energy level during the journey? Was I able to go farther than I would have been able to go before my Slimband procedure?

How do my legs feel? How does the rest of my body feel? Did I experience any unexplained aches or pains along the way?

We bet you surprised yourself in some way during the journey. Congratulations! Make note of your accomplishments during this expedition.

Again, these ideas are just guidelines. Feel free to create your own Non-Scale Victory Challenges or modify the ones we provide. No matter what you do, you'll be sure to notice some benefits that aren't directly tied to a number on the scale.

This concludes Part 1 of the series. See you again in a couple weeks!