What's Your Most Recent NSV

I had some family in town. In the past, all of those shared meals and treats always sent me into a tailspin of cravings and overeating. This time I simply did not participate in any of the eating, and continued with my regular meal plan. I did non-food stuff with everyone, including a visit to the pool, sitting around chatting, helping with cooking, and board games. And now that they have all left, I'm happy and slimmer, instead of bloated and full of cravings and regrets like I used to be after family visits.

Also today I swam for 20 minutes straight, which is the longest I've ever gone. Felt awesome and people even commented that I looked comfortable doing it

Baked some cookies yesterday “for the kids” haha. Had 3 throughout the day and noticed a definite difference of feeling hungrier/less satisfied than on the days when I am prioritizing protein as I have been. Feeling motivated to continue minimizing straight up sugary snacks not because I can’t have them but because the quality nutrients just aren’t there. Before getting into trying to achieve a protein goal for the day I probably would’ve had 5-6 cookies throughout the day.

I’ve been absent for a while and I can’t remember if I’ve already added some of these in or not so sorry if you’re reading this from me for the second time 😂. I guess the major NSV was leaving a very toxic, emotionally & mentally abusive relationship at the end of November. I fell off the wagon big time afterwards as I turned my attention more to healing my emotional and mental wounds that I acquired during the 3 years I was with him. I turned my life around completely. Finally took a job that I love doing and that’s in the line of what I’ve always wanted to do but the relationships I was in never supported the work I wanted to do (I wanted to work with horses and cattle which would have meant living away from home during the work swing and the 2 partners that I had over the years (separately- not at the same time!) would not have dealt well with me being away from them. I’ve found a happy medium though where I get to live in town but still get to work with horses and cattle everyday.
I had a 3 month relationship recently with an amazing guy who helped me realise I had a lot of inner work still to go. Unfortunately, we were both of insecure attachment styles (myself being anxiously attached and him being avoidant- these attachment styles barely work out without a lot of work from both parties, I am currently working on becoming more secure in myself and my attachment style so that next time an amazing man comes into my life I don’t torture myself and him with my insecurities)

I joined a gym. I had a lot of anxiety about going and I was actually a member of it for 6 weeks before finally forcing myself out of my comfort zone and going to a class. It has been up & up since then, I go to the gym most days, the days I don’t go I either go for a gentle stroll or take myself on a 5K jog (another NSV is getting back to my jogging- I have missed it)

I bought some shirts online. I got medium (AU10) and smalls (AU8). I’m currently about a M/L (10/12) so I got the smalls as a goal to fit into. When they arrived I looked at them and thought they looked like a big make. I tried the non-stretch ones on (as I didn’t want to stretch out the stretchy ones) and they all fit and look great. One of the mediums is actually too big, I’m hoping I can get it altered because I really like it.

I’m catching up with an old friend tomorrow that I haven’t seen for 5 and a half years. We were originally going to catch up for drinks but I asked if he would like to join me for a hike at the local mountains instead, he agreed. He sent a snap the other day after seeing one of me at the gym that simply said “You’re gunna kill me on our hike” I was probably close to my heaviest when I last saw him, so I’m down close to 30Kg (66 pounds). He’s seen photos of me and has told me I’ve done amazing, but I still look forward to seeing the look on his face when he sees me in person.

DownsizingSam88 wrote: »

I guess the major NSV was leaving a very toxic, emotionally & mentally abusive relationship at the end of November. [...] I turned my life around completely.

This is the best thing I've read on here in a while, and I've read some pretty awesome stuff. I hope you're super proud of yourself for getting past all that fear and anxiety, and finding your strength and happiness in so many different ways. Hope you have an amazing hike with your friend, and nothing but good things coming your way. I don't know you, but I know what abusive relationships can do to people, and reading your post makes me so happy I could cry. Actually, I am crying (but happy tears!).

I accidentally touched my leg, and now I can't stop I hadn't noticed until just now, but my skin has gotten super soft! Amazing what decent nutrition can do for the body lol

Not there yet, but very much looking forward to my tummy not poking out of the bath water when I take a bath. Also looking forward to not having my tummy be in the way if I try to bend over.

I joined a small, gentle aerobics class for older women and I love it. It makes me feel sooo good.

Ran 5 miles on treadmill and completed via nose breathing. 0% mouth breathing. Was testing myself.

takinitalloff wrote: »

DownsizingSam88 wrote: »

I guess the major NSV was leaving a very toxic, emotionally & mentally abusive relationship at the end of November. [...] I turned my life around completely.

This is the best thing I've read on here in a while, and I've read some pretty awesome stuff. I hope you're super proud of yourself for getting past all that fear and anxiety, and finding your strength and happiness in so many different ways. Hope you have an amazing hike with your friend, and nothing but good things coming your way. I don't know you, but I know what abusive relationships can do to people, and reading your post makes me so happy I could cry. Actually, I am crying (but happy tears!).

Thank you so much! That means more than you will ever know. I am super proud of how far I’ve come and the obstacles I’ve gotten over in the last 8/9 months. It hasn’t been easy at times but I just kept reminding myself to put one foot in front of the other and keep my gaze fixed forward because as my good friend said yesterday (a quote from his mother) “All looking back does is give you a sore neck”

Oh and the hike was amazing, such a beautiful place and felt so good to be out and about in nature breathing in the fresh air and getting grounded

For 15 years, I worked out regularly until my life took a turn for the worse 4 years ago. I went through a separation from my wife, lost my dog, and my job, and had to relocate to three different countries in less than three years. I felt homesick and struggled to adapt to my new life. When I finally returned home a year ago, my first priority was to start working out again.

I began by exercising at home before joining a gym and trying to rebuild my life. I also took online courses in my field of study and found new employment. I set my life on track and decided to adopt a healthy lifestyle. I now engage in intensive daily activities five days a week, including weightlifting, cardio exercises (elliptical, treadmill, and indoor cycling), and cold/heat exposure, which involves taking a cold shower and using a sauna and steam room. I end my day with a 35-minute swim. I changed my eating habits and began practicing 18-hour intermittent fasting.

As a result, I lost 15kg while building muscle. I hope my story inspires anyone who thinks it's impossible to start over. All you need is the right mindset and dedication. Remember, nothing is impossible! Here are 2 photos I took today after my swim, showing my progress.