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@@azsqwurl kept weight loss records took my measurements frequently list of all my NSV's took pictures monthly kept better track of my food (MFP) weight loss problems, plateaus had known you can make/use emoticons there are so many many wonderful people on this board knew that my memory would be effected by weight loss I can't remember other things to say had kept a "private" blog containing all the above info for posterity kathy

I should also add that yes, the scale didn't tell a story I wanted to hear but my clothes continued to feel looser. NSV is your friend!!

Today I had to have an MRI of my shoulder. It was so nice to hop on the table and slide into the machine without worrying that I would get stuck. Something that would definitely have been a concern 126 lbs ago!

New make -up Now that I have a new face to put it on Toe nail polish now that I can reach my toes Hubby and I had a couples goal gift. Went to Victoria secret. Walked out with a size small. NSV Just living life and doing the things I was not able to do at my high weight. Kayak, Travel, Concerts...you name it. I'm up for it for goal rewards.

@@Essence46 how is everyone, how is everyone personally i'm a little mift at you "forgetting" to invite me Must have been an oversight - so all is good with the two of us variety is the spice of life I think that's the right expression being on vaca- a bite here and there (not overduing) i think is fine looking and feeling good in your bathing suit that's a great NSV glad you enjoyed your vacation welcome home, see you on the board kathy

So, I was sleeved exactly one week ago. I am back at work (desk job) and doing fine, other than fatigue. My big excitement, however, is that I have two pairs of shorts that I wore before surgery, and they are literally falling off now- going straight into the Goodwill pile. I'm so excited. I haven't weighed myself and don't plan on it until my post-op appointment. This recovery is not easy, but it feels good to see a difference!

I am so happy for your NSV! The "invisible issue" always made me so angry when I was back at my highest weights. I've been married to a great guy who luckily loves the real me and has been my biggest support, but I found that many, many people of both genders looked "through" me like I wasn't there, like I was an affront to their skinny world. And now, 94 pounds lighter, while I'm still a big woman I find all kinds of people "seeing" me again. It's a little bewildering but ultimately gratifying to feel present in the world again. I'm happy for you @@CowgirlJane and for all of us who have stepped back into the light as part of our tough journey.

Great story! It's NSV's like that that really remind us not to focus so intently on the scale. Congrats!

Some of you know me well as I have been around a long time... but for back story I was pretty hopeless about losing weight and especially maintaining it when I began this sleeve journey. I had "failed" with the lapband in an epic way and by the time I revised to the sleeve I was well over 300# (although down from my lifetime recorded high of 332# while banded). I was super morbidly obese and spent a lot of years there. I felt aged beyond my years and besides feeling physically miserable, I was certainly NOT an object of attention from the opposite gender. Hell, i never even had a chubby chaser interested in me. (I did have a serious relationship, I have never been a loner, but my point is I have always been one to focus on intelligence and personality, not looks or body) Because of my active lifestyle, I have mostly had slender friends even when I was obese. I never went out for girls night with them, never went dancing, I felt like I didn't belong in those settings. So, after losing a bunch of weight, I had plastics and am now maintaining. I social with lots of people now and feel like i fit in many places, but am still sometimes surprised at my own preconceived notions. Currently, I am about 5# over my goal and about 25# over my lowest weight - I am 3.5 years post sleeve so this is frankly pretty typical. It can get a little discouraging as I am having a heck of a time re-losing this weight. I am fine at my current size, but i was finer thinner haha... so it is still something I want. You know how your state of mind is when your favorite jeans are too tight.... that is where i am! Okay, now my NSV Story! I went out to the racetrack on the 3rd for a big girls day of races and fireworks. I went with 3 very attractive ladies who are all naturally very trim. They range from tiny cute as a pixie (Which also makes her look really young) to that tall blond skinny model look (two of those, one fairly boyish looking the other more curvy - both very very attractive). Anyway, all 4 of us are unloading the cooler, doing stuff getting ready to go in. I was applying sunscreen. this really really really attractive man - probably about 40 (we are all about 50) walks by and looks right at me and smiles and says "need any help with that?". All of us freeze as it processes... he is talking to ME! What? I smiled at him as he walked away (it was only later I thought I should have said "YES") and one of the ladies said "this is going to be a good day". I don't spend alot of time comparing myself to others, I really don't. But after a lifetime of obesity, super morbid obesity - you never expect to be the one in your group of attractive friends to get the notice. Looks don't actually matter that much - one of the ironies i have learned in this journey, but it still felt good and my friends were all very happy for me too... That also makes me feel good that they are so pleased with my successes.

Congrats! I was able to go down 1 jean size last week and it was so exciting so I know the feeling! Great NSV!! PS - have you taken measurements? THAT is a motivator in and of itself, I promise!

I am only six weeks out from my VSG and I was having second thoughts too, right up to the minute they wheeled me into the surgical suite. Now, I'm so glad that I did it. I've already lost about 30 lbs counting pre surgery liquid diet. My blood pressure (which was out of control and very high) has now stabilized in the normal range. I no longer have the threat of becoming diabetic. My knees have stopped hurting. There are so many NSV ( non scale victories) that weight loss is secondary ( though I look forward to that too!) I feel more energetic with this weight off. Anyone who says this is easy is a fool! It requires paying attention to eating habits, food choices, exercising, just as any diet, but it does give you restriction in the amount and type of food you eat. I also think it takes a lot of planning in order to be successful with VSG because if you just eat like you've always eaten, you will gain weight back. I researched, talked to other VSg patients and looked at a lot of utubes to find out what the ups and downs were. Like any surgery, results vary and it should be a carefully thought out decision. I practiced my diet long before the surgery too, just to get on the right track. Hope you have a great success with your WLS!

Woo hooooo! I had my RNY on March 19, 2015. I've lost 62 lbs so far. I am disabled, so I won't lose as fast as many people. I've been wearing my same size 5X tops forever! When I was feeling optimistic a few months ago, I ordered my same style trapeze tank tops from Roamans in a 2X. I set them aside for a long time because they just looked too small. Last night, I realized all of my pajama tops were all in the laundry basket, so I grabbed a 2x tank top for the night, and it fit!!!!!!! I'm not even close to being confident enough to wear something snug around my hips and belly, but now I feel like I really did lose some weight! I know that many of us wear loose, stretchy clothes, and I probably will for a long time, but at least its a smaller size! Most of my weight is around my middle, so I just wasn't seeing a big change there. I really needed this victory!

All well said by everyone. I've nothing to add other than to say - @@MarceMonster - You're headed in the right direction so keep on moving forward. Remember to Celebrate any and all non-scale victories (NSVs), i.e. inches lost, a smaller size slack/jacket/shorts, lessening of shortness of breath when exercising/walking/hiking, etc.

So..most of you know I'm headed on my dream trip to London shortly. This is miraculous to me as only 2 1/2 years ago, I was barely able to walk a block and was only weeks away from going into a wheelchair. In preparation for a bike tour through St. James and Hyde Parks that I signed up for, my friend and I rented bikes and will ride in Central Park this afternoon. I've been practicing at the Y but I need to make sure I can ride a real bike and not just a stationary one. So...for those who focus too much on the scale and the numbers, think of me and others like me who note success as not just a number but in how we've regained our lives. In fact, I've climbed above 115 lbs. this week and while I'm not thrilled, I'm not obsessing. I've been eating out alot recently and this is likely the cause. I'll be a little more aware of how much I'm eating and the few pounds I've gained will come off. Or they may not come off. As long as I don't put on more, I'm OK with it. I'm way more focused on the bike ride today than what I weighed this morning. Think about that when you get pissed or depressed because you didn't lose enough weight this week. Or why didn't I lose weight if I'm starving myself? Don't starve yourself. The body doesn't like it. Have a great day today and a great holiday weekend. Eat well and eat smart. Enjoy all your non scale victories and enjoy your friends and family. I want to hear about all the holiday NSVs after the weekend. I hope to see lots and lots of them. Liz

I would add a scoop of Protein powder to that coffee you are drinking. A lot of docs don't want its to continue w/ protein supplements after 3 mths but as long as most of your protein is from food, you should be fine. If you are a cream in the coffee type, a vanilla flavored protein powder can replace the creamer. Just liquidfy the powder before adding it to your coffee. Perhaps consider dropping from 2 cups of coffee to 1. Dark green leafy veg also contain a but of protein so if you're eating veg, reach for those first. ETA: The scale is not the most accurate method to monitor the changes in your body. Take your measurements. I do boobs/chest, neck, waist & hips. I retake them every 3 months. On those days when the scale doesn't move, this will give you a more accurate view of the changes occurring. BTW, I only weight myself once a month. I am focusing more on eating well and exercising so I don't want to be ruled and/or disappointed by the scale. Another NSV (non-scale victory) is the reduction of your medications. Those are fair more important that just some numbers on the scale.

Last night I went to class at the gym where I've been going for a few years. A guy friend was there who's been gone since February and when I walked in he asked the trainer who that was. Hello! How awesome is that?! I was never someone who turned heads but it seems to be happening enough that I'm starting to believe I do look different. Such a friggin head game this weight loss surgery!

Congrats! That's definitely a NSV...saying no at those types of events is really difficult. I had a family event last weekend and it was really hard for me to say no and set limits. I'm not looking forward to having to do the same thing again at the 4th of July! My workplace does pizza and beer every Friday for lunch, and so far, I've resisted it, thank god. They also do some salads and other items, but nothing that is too healthy.

Here's a new one. I went to see my parents at the end of April for the first time since surgery in January, when I was about 70-75 pounds down. My mother took one look at me and immediately burst into tears. She hugged and clung on for a while until she could get control of herself. Mom's always been very petite, and I had no idea how troubled she was by my size until that moment. I'm glad she kept it to herself, but it was also gratifying to see such a strong reaction. They just came to visit last weekend and were both amazed again at how different I look from April to now (about 105 pounds down in total). When they left, Mom took away 29 grocery bags filled with clothes in size 20-24 for her next garage sale. That's practically an NSV all on its own. Overall, there's nothing like family to give you honest feedback (for better or for worse) on how you're doing. At this point, I'll take it!

I can't wait to add to all of the NSVs that I have read about. THIS is a great thread!

I weighed exactly the same as surgery day on day 11 (that's the first time I weighed myself postop. I didn't step on the scale again until week 7 and I was down 17 pounds. Just concentrate on water, protein, healthy choices and learning new habits. Enjoy the NSVs and stay off the scale.

@@Rebeccaabrooks86 Sorry for the length of this post. I was the same. I felt like I would be judged for my size and being out of shape at the gym. The majority of people are concentrating on their own goals and not to concerned about people around them. The funniest things seem to happen to me at the gym and makes me laugh at myself every day. I know if this crap is happening to me. I know it has to be happening to other WLS patients. If you or anyone has a gym story I have to know about it. First I found my personality changed. I'm competitive and aggressive when I workout. I had to give my gym persona a name. Her name is holy hell girl friend Second. I seem to get lost in my music. It drives and motivates me. Before I knew it I was keeping up exercising to the beat of the music. Here is where my mind takes me at the gym. I was listening to a warriors call by Volbeat. I started picturing myself in camouflage and the added camouflage face paint. OMG had to chuckle at myself and hope no one knew about my twisted self at the gym Third..Here is one of my NSV. Three tread mills were empty. I stepped up to the middle one. I noticed two people on both sides stepped up at the same time. To my right was a young guy. to my left a guy about my age. I start jogging a song walking a song. The young guy wont be out done by the old lady next to him. He starts jog/walking. Now the guy to the left sees this and he begins jog/waling. In my twisted mind THE RACE WAS ON! Soon the young guy to the right is breathing heavy and can't quite keep up. In my twisted mind I hear a sports announcer giving me a play by play of this guy struggling. Soon he gives up stops the treadmill and hit the locker room. VICTORY! I was on the treadmill longer than the young guy. I finish my hour on the treadmill the guy to the left thanks me for keeping him motivated. ( instant shock for me) He introduces himself and he was a physical education teacher at a local high school. BIG NSV these are things that have never happened to me in my life time. Its been one of my biggest joys after my WLS. I hope it never ends.

Today brings a NSV! My husband got me boots for Christmas last year (extra wide calf) and I couldn't zip them up over my ankles even ????. Thought I would try them on this morning and they zipped right up!! Now if it wasn't summer I would totally be sporting them everywhere ????

Comgrats!! That's so awesome!! I totally understand the nsv goal of no pain while running. I yearn for the same goal . You can do it!!