NSV's = Non-scale Victories
Replies
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I was on the leg press doing my workout when a coworker walked by. After I finished, he asked how much I was lifting and how many reps. My trainer answered. My coworker made a slow whistle.3
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I was on the leg press doing my workout when a coworker walked by. After I finished, he asked how much I was lifting and how many reps. My trainer answered. My coworker made a slow whistle.
That's a nice one!
I sometimes get guys at the gym to high five me on my leg press and dead lifts.......LOL3 -
I was on the leg press doing my workout when a coworker walked by. After I finished, he asked how much I was lifting and how many reps. My trainer answered. My coworker made a slow whistle.
That's a nice one!
I sometimes get guys at the gym to high five me on my leg press and dead lifts.......LOL3 -
I get young firefighters walking through during my deadlifts and saying 'holy s$&t, aren't you 60?'5
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I get young firefighters walking through during my deadlifts and saying 'holy s$&t, aren't you 60?'3
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I actually had exactly this discussion (argument!) with a college-student personal trainer who subbed for my spin-class instructors during the 4th of July holiday week.
I'd lightly called myself a "li'l ol' lady" - I'm trying to reclaim the term, which I consider a positive - and he said I was not. When I asked why not, he mimed someone hunched, doddering, shaky! I insisted that the terms should be redefined with fit, lively people as exemplars, but he still quibbled.
Finally, I told him that I'm a cancer survivor, so "old" is a victory; and that 18 months ago, I weighed 50% more than I do now, so "little" is also a victory.
I Just. Do. Not. Understand. why our culture thinks "young" is equivalent to "good" and "old" is something one ought to deny. Jeesh, the true alternative to "old" (someday, for all of us) is "dead", plus I wouldn't be 18 again for *anything*.
But I'm all for mold-breaking!2 -
I agree Ann. When someone "younger" than me tells me I look good for my age I tell them they do too!
I'm proud of my 66 years and my choice is to be a fit old lady as opposed to a hunched over one. I think a lot of us think in stereotypes when it comes to age and to be honest after spending so many hours in doctor's offices the past 3.5 months with my husband I can kind of understand why.
My goal is to encourage others our age to become, stay or enjoy being fit. It changes everything!
The reason I'm so active on my newsfeed is because I have a lot of older friends here and I think it's important for them to see what they might be able to do if they put their minds and bodies into it and quit making excuses because of age or aches and pains. Sure, some injuries and illnesses prevent exercise to some degree or even altogether but a lot of it is attitude IMO.
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At the risk of sounding trite, it seems like "old" is a state of mind. I'm in my early 50s and have a passion for life. About a year after I divorced, I decided to start dating. Silly me thought it best to look for women around my own age. Imagine my shock when I discovered most of the ones I met were "old" and the one who wasn't old was crazy. I decided to spend a bit more time getting comfortable in my skin and stopped dating.
I think I will follow the example of my paternal grandfather's sister who, at age 97, still lives independently. She's young at heart. Clearly, she's doing something right. This picture is from a year ago when I visited. I stopped to say goodbye as I was headed out on my Harley.
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She looks great! I had a great aunt who lived to 105 and was still driving at 95......LOL.
I'm hoping I take after her a little!2 -
At the risk of sounding trite, it seems like "old" is a state of mind. I'm in my early 50s and have a passion for life. About a year after I divorced, I decided to start dating. Silly me thought it best to look for women around my own age. Imagine my shock when I discovered most of the ones I met were "old" and the one who wasn't old was crazy. I decided to spend a bit more time getting comfortable in my skin and stopped dating.
I think I will follow the example of my paternal grandfather's sister who, at age 97, still lives independently. She's young at heart. Clearly, she's doing something right. This picture is from a year ago when I visited. I stopped to say goodbye as I was headed out on my Harley.
(repetition of wonderful photo snipped, for length)
Single life is pretty darn good, though, so I definitely endorse that solution. I've lived alone for 18 years now (after being widowed at age 42). It took a bit to grow into it, but I think I've figured it out now, and I'm probably the happiest I've ever been.1 -
LOL, my youngest daughter started weight lifting about a month ago and is really enjoying it and finally understands why I love it so much.
She just texted me that she dead lifted 100lbs................congratulated her and didn't mention that I'm at 140 lbs on my way back up to 185.....hehehe. I'll save that bit of news for another day! She's 6' tall and outweighs me by about 40 lbs too.2 -
I actually had exactly this discussion (argument!) with a college-student personal trainer who subbed for my spin-class instructors during the 4th of July holiday week.
I'd lightly called myself a "li'l ol' lady" - I'm trying to reclaim the term, which I consider a positive - and he said I was not. When I asked why not, he mimed someone hunched, doddering, shaky! I insisted that the terms should be redefined with fit, lively people as exemplars, but he still quibbled.
Finally, I told him that I'm a cancer survivor, so "old" is a victory; and that 18 months ago, I weighed 50% more than I do now, so "little" is also a victory.
I Just. Do. Not. Understand. why our culture thinks "young" is equivalent to "good" and "old" is something one ought to deny. Jeesh, the true alternative to "old" (someday, for all of us) is "dead", plus I wouldn't be 18 again for *anything*.
But I'm all for mold-breaking!
I agree! I am much more comfortable calling myself the little old lady now. We boomers are redefining expectations. Age is just a number. Wisdom comes with experience, and you don't have much of either at 20.2 -
At the risk of sounding trite, it seems like "old" is a state of mind. I'm in my early 50s and have a passion for life. About a year after I divorced, I decided to start dating. Silly me thought it best to look for women around my own age. Imagine my shock when I discovered most of the ones I met were "old" and the one who wasn't old was crazy. I decided to spend a bit more time getting comfortable in my skin and stopped dating.
I think I will follow the example of my paternal grandfather's sister who, at age 97, still lives independently. She's young at heart. Clearly, she's doing something right. This picture is from a year ago when I visited. I stopped to say goodbye as I was headed out on my Harley.
(repetition of wonderful photo snipped, for length)
Single life is pretty darn good, though, so I definitely endorse that solution. I've lived alone for 18 years now (after being widowed at age 42). It took a bit to grow into it, but I think I've figured it out now, and I'm probably the happiest I've ever been.
There is a double-standard when it comes to age differentials although it's becoming less relevant (or so I'm told) since the boomers hit their 60s. When I did the online dating thing (ugh!!) I put my age at the centre of the range but I recognize that is not as common. The reason I say "ugh" for online dating is my experience was quite negative. I used current pictures of myself and I was honest in describing my age and so forth. Again, it appears that is not common. Deception or even dishonesty seem a strange way to approach potential relationships.
Faced with a choice between remaining single vs. getting into a negative relationship, I will be single. I got divorced for a reason and I have no intention of jumping from the frying pan into the fire.2 -
I feel for you Mac., it can't be easy to find someone at our age. Like many here, we don't fit what the expectation is for old folks. Just today I had a Captain ask me 'Holy REDACTED, when did you turn 60?'. I told him May, but I don't act my age. I'm one of the lucky ones, with a great marriage that has stood the test of time and raising three kids. I don't expect to outlive my wife (heart thingy) or to give her any reason to dump me now, but if I did find myself single I don't think I'd be looking to be married again. I'm past the point of changing who I am to meet a new mate half way. For better or worse, I am what I am and it's a take/leave situation at this point. If I had to find someone new, she'd have to be right some tolerant.1
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I feel for you Mac., it can't be easy to find someone at our age. Like many here, we don't fit what the expectation is for old folks. Just today I had a Captain ask me 'Holy REDACTED, when did you turn 60?'. I told him May, but I don't act my age. I'm one of the lucky ones, with a great marriage that has stood the test of time and raising three kids. I don't expect to outlive my wife (heart thingy) or to give her any reason to dump me now, but if I did find myself single I don't think I'd be looking to be married again. I'm past the point of changing who I am to meet a new mate half way. For better or worse, I am what I am and it's a take/leave situation at this point. If I had to find someone new, she'd have to be right some tolerant.
Not sure what I will do if I outlive my husband. I'm not much of a loner but I could live alone. I can't imagine finding a mate again but I wouldn't mind having companionship. I suppose I would move to CO and hang out with my kids but I would try to find an independent group of friends and reenergize some of the hobbies I've given up along the way.
Weird to think about really. With everything going on here I have to admit I have thought about it, somewhat frightfully...........ugghhhh. We've been together for 38 years so it's kind of difficult to imagine anything else really.
I definitely wouldn't want to be hanging out with "old men" or "old women" in the stereotypical sense of those words.0 -
I feel for you Mac., it can't be easy to find someone at our age. Like many here, we don't fit what the expectation is for old folks. Just today I had a Captain ask me 'Holy REDACTED, when did you turn 60?'. I told him May, but I don't act my age. I'm one of the lucky ones, with a great marriage that has stood the test of time and raising three kids. I don't expect to outlive my wife (heart thingy) or to give her any reason to dump me now, but if I did find myself single I don't think I'd be looking to be married again. I'm past the point of changing who I am to meet a new mate half way. For better or worse, I am what I am and it's a take/leave situation at this point. If I had to find someone new, she'd have to be right some tolerant.
I have no-one to blame but myself as I spent too long trying to make a bad relationship work. One of the fundamental problems was I played along as she tried to change who I am instead of telling her to take or leave. The other fundamental problem was the woman I married didn't exist... "the bride" was an illusion; a mask designed to attract and secure my love & loyalty. The person behind the mask wasn't pleasant, regardless what she looked like...
As mentioned earlier, there is a double standard so I could be looking at someone younger. So far, I've chosen not to do so but that might change. The freedom of being out of that dysfunctional relationship likely earned me an extra couple of decades of life. If some lady is lucky enough to end up sharing part of the journey with me, great!! If not, I'm going to enjoy the ride regardless.
Not planning ahead won't make things easier, lulu. Even if it's not an easy discussion... or if you just choose to explore the notion in the privacy of your own mind, it's far better to have the groundwork in place and never need it than to need it and have nothing.2 -
I have been married 45 years. If anything happened to that I would be ok being single. Don't think I could manage another human being after training the present one so well, lol. On the other note, I don't feel old and I don't think I look old. In fact, I prefer young people, most old people annoy me, talking about their aches and pains. Most don't take me for as old as I am. I try to keep fit, so I don't end up in a scooter like my mom. Unlike Lulu, I am not a fan of weights or any exercise for that matter, but I do it any way. I am not going to be fat again, lol.2
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I feel for you Mac., it can't be easy to find someone at our age. Like many here, we don't fit what the expectation is for old folks. Just today I had a Captain ask me 'Holy REDACTED, when did you turn 60?'. I told him May, but I don't act my age. I'm one of the lucky ones, with a great marriage that has stood the test of time and raising three kids. I don't expect to outlive my wife (heart thingy) or to give her any reason to dump me now, but if I did find myself single I don't think I'd be looking to be married again. I'm past the point of changing who I am to meet a new mate half way. For better or worse, I am what I am and it's a take/leave situation at this point. If I had to find someone new, she'd have to be right some tolerant.
Not sure what I will do if I outlive my husband. I'm not much of a loner but I could live alone. I can't imagine finding a mate again but I wouldn't mind having companionship. I suppose I would move to CO and hang out with my kids but I would try to find an independent group of friends and reenergize some of the hobbies I've given up along the way.
Weird to think about really. With everything going on here I have to admit I have thought about it, somewhat frightfully...........ugghhhh. We've been together for 38 years so it's kind of difficult to imagine anything else really.
I definitely wouldn't want to be hanging out with "old men" or "old women" in the stereotypical sense of those words.
Everyone's different, so your mileage may vary, but I have to say that I was wasting any time I spent pre-widowhood thinking about how I'd want to live post-widowhood. I'm a very, very different person than I would ever have imagined I'd become.
Once we knew my husband was, in fact, dying, the most valuable return came from time and energy invested resolving any minor still-open issues between us, and re-appreciating the value and high points of the 20-odd years together. In retrospect, spending energy on those things was what most helped me move forward more sure-footedly later. It was a great gift to have talked about his hopes and wishes for my future, as well.2 -
Ann, Those talks you had about the past together and about your single future were among the biggest gifts you probably gave each other. 'So lovely to hear about how two people lived that time by listening and being open.1
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I feel for you Mac., it can't be easy to find someone at our age. Like many here, we don't fit what the expectation is for old folks. Just today I had a Captain ask me 'Holy REDACTED, when did you turn 60?'. I told him May, but I don't act my age. I'm one of the lucky ones, with a great marriage that has stood the test of time and raising three kids. I don't expect to outlive my wife (heart thingy) or to give her any reason to dump me now, but if I did find myself single I don't think I'd be looking to be married again. I'm past the point of changing who I am to meet a new mate half way. For better or worse, I am what I am and it's a take/leave situation at this point. If I had to find someone new, she'd have to be right some tolerant.
Not sure what I will do if I outlive my husband. I'm not much of a loner but I could live alone. I can't imagine finding a mate again but I wouldn't mind having companionship. I suppose I would move to CO and hang out with my kids but I would try to find an independent group of friends and reenergize some of the hobbies I've given up along the way.
Weird to think about really. With everything going on here I have to admit I have thought about it, somewhat frightfully...........ugghhhh. We've been together for 38 years so it's kind of difficult to imagine anything else really.
I definitely wouldn't want to be hanging out with "old men" or "old women" in the stereotypical sense of those words.
Everyone's different, so your mileage may vary, but I have to say that I was wasting any time I spent pre-widowhood thinking about how I'd want to live post-widowhood. I'm a very, very different person than I would ever have imagined I'd become.
Once we knew my husband was, in fact, dying, the most valuable return came from time and energy invested resolving any minor still-open issues between us, and re-appreciating the value and high points of the 20-odd years together. In retrospect, spending energy on those things was what most helped me move forward more sure-footedly later. It was a great gift to have talked about his hopes and wishes for my future, as well.
Thanks for the good advice. My husband has been trying to talk to me about my future but I haven't wanted to yet although we do reminisce about our life a lot. We've been very happy together and raised 3 wonderful kids. We're sort of just hanging onto each other for dear life right now.
I don't want to really imagine him gone, and since we don't know that yet, I prefer to not spend too much time thinking about a future alone. I agree I might be a completely different person but I won't know until I get there I suppose.
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I feel for you Mac., it can't be easy to find someone at our age. Like many here, we don't fit what the expectation is for old folks. Just today I had a Captain ask me 'Holy REDACTED, when did you turn 60?'. I told him May, but I don't act my age. I'm one of the lucky ones, with a great marriage that has stood the test of time and raising three kids. I don't expect to outlive my wife (heart thingy) or to give her any reason to dump me now, but if I did find myself single I don't think I'd be looking to be married again. I'm past the point of changing who I am to meet a new mate half way. For better or worse, I am what I am and it's a take/leave situation at this point. If I had to find someone new, she'd have to be right some tolerant.
Not sure what I will do if I outlive my husband. I'm not much of a loner but I could live alone. I can't imagine finding a mate again but I wouldn't mind having companionship. I suppose I would move to CO and hang out with my kids but I would try to find an independent group of friends and reenergize some of the hobbies I've given up along the way.
Weird to think about really. With everything going on here I have to admit I have thought about it, somewhat frightfully...........ugghhhh. We've been together for 38 years so it's kind of difficult to imagine anything else really.
I definitely wouldn't want to be hanging out with "old men" or "old women" in the stereotypical sense of those words.
Everyone's different, so your mileage may vary, but I have to say that I was wasting any time I spent pre-widowhood thinking about how I'd want to live post-widowhood. I'm a very, very different person than I would ever have imagined I'd become.
Once we knew my husband was, in fact, dying, the most valuable return came from time and energy invested resolving any minor still-open issues between us, and re-appreciating the value and high points of the 20-odd years together. In retrospect, spending energy on those things was what most helped me move forward more sure-footedly later. It was a great gift to have talked about his hopes and wishes for my future, as well.
Thanks for the good advice. My husband has been trying to talk to me about my future but I haven't wanted to yet although we do reminisce about our life a lot. We've been very happy together and raised 3 wonderful kids. We're sort of just hanging onto each other for dear life right now.
I don't want to really imagine him gone, and since we don't know that yet, I prefer to not spend too much time thinking about a future alone. I agree I might be a completely different person but I won't know until I get there I suppose.
Exactly - why spend mind-share on it now. It will be both difficult and interesting enough to give him what he needs, and to get what you need, In the complicated and precious present. Of course, that's always true; we simply don't always realize it.
(Wishing you strength and energy . . . .)
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Thanks Ann!
I have a small NSV this morning.............new running shoes and my feet love me for it! Has anyone else lost weight or size in their feet? I can't believe I can wear normal sized shoes again! Just like with clothes, it's really fun trying shoes on again.2 -
I've not experienced a change in shoe size yet... or at least not that I noticed. I tend to wear loose fitting shoes as my feet are very flat.0
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I did Lulu. At my heaviest I was as much as an 8-1/2' now I wear 7-1/2. New shoes, yay!2
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Huh, never thought about shoes changing size too...but I guess it makes sense.0
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I had an interesting morning yesterday, as well as a couple of NSV’s.
I had just finished my workout and was sweating like crazy, wearing my workout clothes that show every bump and bulge, when I heard a knock on the door. People rarely come to my door out here in the country and normally I probably wouldn’t have even answered it considering how I looked. But I opened it and there stood a young man telling me he had been out running and saw a couple of horses standing in a field where there’s no fence. He said one was a Paint and wanted to know if they were mine. I have a Paint and he has escaped to a neighbor’s field in the past, but all our fences are in good condition right now. Nevertheless, I took off with this kid, and literally ran to where the horses were. I haven’t run in years! At first, I was certain the Paint wasn’t mine, but then when I came up to him, he had the exact same marking (a polka-dot) on his side that mine does. I didn’t have anything with me, so I ran back to my house to get halters and lead lines. As I ran back to the tack room, out of the corner of my eye, I saw my horse. His name is Cookie Monster. He was standing in the run-in shed looking at me like he was wondering what that crazy lady was doing running around. I was thankful it wasn’t him, but the two horses were now running down the street and the speed limit is 55 mph on this road so I knew I had to do something. Luckily, a girl driving by had stopped and she had lead lines in her car. Between her and the young man, they managed to get the horses over to a neighbor’s barn. We put them in the barn and called Animal Control. Turns out they were from a farm a few houses down the road. They made it home safe and sound.
So, my NSV’s were:
• Ran for the first time in many moons without even thinking about it and kept up with this 19 year old kid whom I later found out was a cross-country star (my daughter went to school with him).
• Went outside in my workout clothes without caring what people thought about how I looked. I don’t care if I’m fat and bulgy – I know that I’ve been working hard and when it comes to animals, I would rather be a little embarrassed about how I look than have them be in danger.
• I realized that in an emergency, I can do what needs to be done.
• From all my running around, I had logged over 5,000 steps before 10:00 a.m.
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carolemaryrosslaura wrote: »
(Great story snipped to reduce quote length)
• I realized that in an emergency, I can do what needs to be done.
Now there's a powerful motivator for any of us!4
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