Let’s face it. We can all get way too caught up in the numbers game. Perhaps no digits are regarded with more dread than those reflecting our age and our weight. So on this Motivation Monday, I’m here to remind you of two important realities:

1) Age IS just a number. Considering the alternative, is blowing out an extra candle on your birthday cake every year really such a big deal?

2)  The scale is NOT always your  friend.  You give up wine and cupcakes for a week, and the number staring back at you hasn’t budged or had the audacity to creep up a digit or two. Well, that’s when you need to literally step off and take stock of the non-scale wins you can see and feel because of your efforts to follow a healthier lifestyle.

Think back to when you started working out. Whether it was last week or last year, don’t dismiss any of the gains you’ve made:

• Can you do five more push-ups today than the first time you hit the gym last month? That’s a win!
• How about my favorite exercise, the plank. You’re already able to hold that position for 30 seconds? Kudos to you!
• Did you walk up the stairs from the train platform today and not feel winded by the time you hit the street? Major win!
• Didn’t even blink carrying your kid on one arm and a bag of groceries on the other for 10 blocks? Win and win again!

Now think about what’s changed thanks to adding healthier food choices to your daily routine:

• Are you getting more daily servings of fruits and veggies thanks to the 30-minutes you put aside to prep containers of grab-and-go produce? Win!
• Do you have more energy during the day because you’re focused on eating every few hours instead of waiting until that one big meal at night? Good job!
• Can you concentrate better at work or on that never-ending to-do list thanks to steadier blood sugar levels? Mental victory!
• Feel like you rocked those “skinny jeans” or that outfit you’ve been saving for a special occasion last weekend? Chalk up another win for “Team You.”

We can be so hard on ourselves that we forget to stop and take note of the positive things that happen when we exercise and eat well. Whether it’s sleeping better or being a more attentive colleague, spouse or friend, we can help our bodies and our minds function as close to 100 percent as possible by making healthy choices. Remember, sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference when it comes to staying on track with your goals to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!