Discover what Non-Scale Victories (NSVs) are, why the scale doesn’t tell the full story, and how to measure real progress.

The scale. It can quickly become the most dreaded tool of your health journey. Sometimes it moves so beautifully, especially in the first few weeks of implementing a new set of macros. But more often, it is the source of frustration and discouragement and we become fixated on it, and unable to look beyond the scale to other markers of progress.

What Are Non-Scale Victories (NSVs)?

We always ask our clients to provide an NSV- a non scale victory- with their weekly check-ins, and one of the biggest reasons for this is because we can get hyper-focused on that old scale, and not see all of the other good things happening while the scale takes its sweet time to reflect change.

Just because the scale doesn’t move, or moves minimally, does not mean change isn’t happening!!! 

6 Non-Scale Victories That Don’t Lie (Even When the Scale Does)

• Recovery! A balanced diet contributes greatly to recovery and repair, which means you come back better, faster, stronger!
• Body composition. Take the pictures! Measure the inches! Try on those jeans that were too snug! 
• Strength gains. Record those reps and watch as you consistently reach for the next weight plate or heavier set of dumbbells!
• Performance! As you fuel your body in-balance for its needs and support it, your times on your walks/runs/rides will improve
• Habits: you find yourself prioritizing protein, drinking more water, and being mindful of your steps and movement
• Medical Markers: improved bloodwork, lower blood pressure, reduced medications. We’ve had clients come back from being pre-diabetic and back to a normal healthy range! You can’t put a scale weight on that!!! 

Things that make the scale move slowly, especially for women:

• Hormones and menstrual cycles
• Autoimmune disorders such as hashimotos
• perimenopause/menopause
• PCOS
• Thyroid disfunction
• Medications
• stress

These things are things to be AWARE of, but not be paralyzed by! So what if you tick the boxes on one or more of these listed items? It may take you a little longer than the girl in her mid-20’s with all the green lights of youth and great health- THAT’S OK! There’s no finish line on your health journey. This isn’t a competition; we are pursuing our health, longevity and chronic disease prevention.

How to Stay Encouraged When the Scale Won’t Budge

The scale will steal your joy in a hurry if you let it. Put it in its place, and focus on all the other good that is happening. Make a list of those NSV’s and post them on your fridge or bathroom mirror to encourage yourself when the doubt creeps in. Compare progress photos instead of numbers. Celebrate consistency not perfection. Remember that the scale measures gravity, not your growth. Keep your head down, put in the work and the scale will come along!