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Awwwww Im so glad I came here.. Vines, Kathy... You both have encourging words Thank You so much! I still want to see that scale go down, just like you all do to.. but now I know I will NOT be ashamed if it doesnt and I know I can come on here and give great NSVs and you will be happy for me either way. Thank you for your support I just love you guys!!!

Michelle, I don't think you qualify. I don't your awesomely skinny little butt has 5 pounds to spare! I firmly believe you are well within the 25-35% body fat that is suggested for women our age. In fact, after having met you, I don't believe you were ever fat to begin with! (You or Jenna! So there! Hah!) Yea! Letha's in, especially since you need support to maintian. Okay, here's our very own Holiday challenge. One new NSV per week until Thanksgiving. These can be as simple as taking the stairs for the first time, reducing medication (as needed of course), to something complex like being able to look at your self naked, or letting your SO see you naked without you freaking out. My NSV this week is that you can see muscle definition in my forearms and calves. Today I did 85 crunches of various flavors.

Non scale victory - NSV congrats, sweetie. Take your measurements and record them. Our journey results are not always reflected on the scale. Way to go. Keep up the great work. Joyce

Hi all, it's been a while since I posted on this thread. I went back a couple of pages and it look like everyone is doing great. I'm down 34 pounds since my surgery and going for fill #3 on Wednesday. The NSVs are adding up. I can actually wrap a large towel around my waste and do that tuck thing. I flew coach last week without needing a seat belt extender. I've been reading up on plastic surgery and figure I will be signing up for it by year's end.

I was laying down and yelled at my husband to run over because i thought i had a tumor in my abdomen................I grabbed his hand and put it on the hard spot of my abdomen........he laughed and said "those are your ribs"! HAHAHA!! The other nsv is: When I went home for thanksgiving, I raided my sister's closer and took everything she doesn't use. I grabbed a size 16 jacket and thought well someday. I put it on this morning and don't look like a total sausage! It doesn't quite button all the way, but hey definately an improvement compared to those size 28 shorts i had to wear this past summer!!!

All the NSV's are so nice to read. I am glad my post caught on.

I had an NSV just today. I've had previous MRI's on my knees and they've been unable to fit my leg comfortably in the knee coil....until today!!! I had an MRI today and my leg fit perfectly in the coil! No pinching, or having to stuff the fat down to get the coil to strap on. It was such a little thing, but a HUGE deal to me!!!

I had a NSV a couple of days ago when I went shopping. I live in Korea and as you can imagine it's almost impossible to buy plus size clothes here. We go to one store usually which we call the fat store. I went there last week and everything was too big! Then on Friday I went to H&M and was able to buy a pair of jeans and a top. I'm not plus sized anymore. Also I'm getting a lot more attention from guys. Not sure how to take that though. Having some issues...

vines honey! it must be going around because I also am soooooo freakin bummed and sad and discouraged! You name it and I'm feeling it. I'm starting to realize your frustrations with tickers vines because everytime I lose a lb and get soo excited about changing my ticker a few days later that pound shows back up - sometimes 2-3lbs and I can't get my scale back down. my ticker says 281 but for the last week I've been back at 284...........aaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh. I am starting a food journal - something's gotta give!!!! I just had a fill 2 weeks ago - I have good restriction - I'm not eating alot but still the scale doesn't move. I eat a whole lot less than I did pre-band, yet still no weight loss or NSV's. I'm sooo sad and yes sick of everyone else whining about how they're not losing when they've lost so much more than us! A girl who was banded the same day WITH ME and had a lot to lose like me admitted she doesn't excercise or drink as much Water as she should and she's lost 45lbs and is all upset and here I am fighting for 11lbs (((((( I really just want to scream F*CK THE WORLD! and I am totally not that type of person (well to at least say it out loud lol). So many frustrations today - one just leads to another. I'm mad at my boyfriend for telling me I need to eat lite and drink more water - and he told me to do excercises while I'm at work! I told him I was not going to excercise in front of my co-workers in my uncomfortable work clothes and he says oh God forbid that! How can I be mad at him when really he's only telling the truth I already know..............it only re-inforces how I should be further along than I am. I was just hoping that the weight loss would bring the motivation needed for more excercise. I'm sad and discouraged - I've got to change some things because like I said I'm at a good level of restriction now so I can't say its because I haven't hit the sweet spot.

What's NSV stand for?

I accept the nomination for Leader of the Slow Loosers. I actually started to cry when I read this thread. At the rate I'm going, I will lose 2 more pounds by Christmas. Fill or no fill. Well, Kathy, You qualify. You were banded 4/8/05 and initally lost 16 pounds, followed by a 13 pound loss since then, right? If I give you 6 weeks to lose the 16 inital pounds, that means you've lost 13 pounds since 5/27; 18 weeks. Sorry. I really wanted to not let you in, really wanted you to be a rabbit.... As your leader, I want everyone to start making their list of NSVs, and create your own thread. Trust me when I say that your NSV list is vitally important to keeping your head held high, to keep yourself on track, to give yourself some recognition. Let me repeat that last part, "to give yourself recognition."

I've been doing the 5 day pouch test(finished yesterday) and haven't lost any weight, not even 1/2 a pound,granted it's TOM as well, so I'm not beating myself over it (last night, my last day i gave in to a glass of Rose and a piece of homemade wholemeal bread, the crusty bit dipped in aromatic olive oil ) So that wasn't a success for me, my own fault Yesterday afternoon however, we all went to the park, husband and 3 girls, and we had a blast! For the first time ever, I put my jogging bottoms on a sweatshirt, my trainers (sneakers) and felt really good about myself(I actually felt quite "cool" as opposed to fat, forty and frumpy) and I went on loads of "rides" with the girls. I've never done this before cause I always felt to old, fat, ugly . Yesterday I felt so young and carefree. My husband pointed out that I always used to just sit on a bench while they palyed. This is probably one of the best NSV in these five months since surgery. I am so happy (even though I cheated on my pouch test last night )

Hey Y'All... I have a minute or two today - thank goodness! Becky - Great job getting to the gym! It does feel great when we go. I don't know why we fight it so hard sometimes... Eileenie - I am surprised none of those photos shows the big ol' granny panties on their heads! Glad you had fun! Anne - sounds like your DH travels a lot. It's cool that you can pack up the kids and hang with your Sis. Fill us in on all the latest when you get a chance. Hugs! Kat - Stress is the worst for trying to maintain proper eating. At least if you are depressed you can just sleep - but stress! Yikes! It's like your hand moves with no msg from the brain... right into the cheetos - or the refried Beans, or whatever. I am still thinking positive thoughts for you and your DH. Try not too worry too much about what you are eating right now. HUGS! Patty - at least your insurance was willing to talk to you! Mine wouldn't even acknowledge my existence until 30 days after the request... Try to take a deep breath and count to ten or something. It will come. Hugs! Mary - have fun with the garden - and yes, Hoeing counts as exercise! Hugs! I am thinking good thoughts for a healthy band. Maybe you just have stress tightness - and aggravation from PB's... Hugs for the boys, too. Darcy - my thighs still hurt - but it's back to the battle with the Evil Eliptical tonight... I will not consider it a victory until I can go for 45 minutes without the thing going into "pause" mode because I am going too slow! It doesn't matter which gym you join, so long as you go. Hugs! Cindy - So glad you have the headache thing under control! You school must use that "bag-o-lettuce" with all the chemicals on it, huh? ick. Congrats on the 5 lbs! The scale is not cooperating with me right now - but I am not paying it any mind. I know that thigh muscle must weigh more than thigh fat... So long as it doesn't become a trend, I am not going to worry. Sorry you miss your Baby. Someday, you MAY look forward to those quiet moments, you know... And - since you no longer have that Headache excuse, maybe you could make your DH's night! lol! Hugs! Donna - what, is it something in the air? Just say "NO" to PB's people! :] I have come close a couple of times - the food moves REALLY slowly... it's just a little reminder from my band to slow down and chew... The latest for me is that I had a little NSV last night. I went to Walmart for some "stuff" and found clothes that I had to have - and they FIT. I got this long beach cover-up skirt - and some really cool hippy-girl shirts to wear with it. Now, I have been able to wear a few specific items from Walmart - but not SHIRTS. I was so jazzed! And I have had several compliments today on my fab new shirt! I will try and remember to have DH take a photo tonight when I get home. That's all the news that's fit to print... Pat? Where are you, Pat? I am starting to worry now... We miss you. Please stop by and let us know how you are. Hugs!! Well I have to run. I have lingered longer than I should already. Hugs all round!

I did my hour of cardio today. I'm hooked on the energy I get from a good workout. I'm the last person I thought I'd hear saying that, but its true. In the class I just finished I learned that I now fall into the "active" lifestyle category. I no longer have to check the box that says "sedentary". That's another big NSV for me. Keep up the pace everybody. I'm going to try to kick it up a notch too. I want to get as fit as possible before my ps. Crazy Ates May Exercise Challenge 3/20 Cardio Sessions 0/8 Weight Training

Finally got my real first nsv. We had a fire drill yesterday at work so everyone had to evacuate to the parking lot at the same time. I saw one of my old co-workers I haven't seen in about a month. (we don't work on the same floor anymore). Anyways I saw her in the parking lot and we had a nice little chit chat mostly about my son and the prom. There was a few of us chating. I got a call shortly after I arrived at work from her today. She needed some help and she knew I knew the answer to her question even though I no longer work in that department. While I was looking for the answer she said "I didn't want to say anything in front of everybody yesterday but you look good, looks like you lost some weight." I thanked her for the compliment and she went on, asking if I was dieting and I told her well I've been eating a lot differently and I try to work out a few times a week. She said well you look good. I have to say that made me feel better especially since I don't know why but I gain 1 1/2 pound even though I have been eating right and very small amounts and working out almost every day.

You'll get it, and sooner than you think! Mine fell about 3 weeks post-op. That was my first real NSV, I lost my panties. My pants themselves followed two weeks later!

I think you hit the problem square on there Trish, we discount our NSVs precicely because the scale says we are not good enough. It doesn't matter that you've lost 27 inches because the scale says your are not down enough, whatever "enough" is. You know that all these accomplishments are truely amazing on their own, and when combined with each other, they become so much more powerful because they tell more of the true picture. They help give our journey dimention and shape, they add texture and shadow that the numbers on the scale simply cannot give, all on their own. I know that it is easy to discount them, they are not a socitial approved measure of success, like pound on the scale are. But pounds are just as arbirary a unit of measure as kegs and stones and Kg and firkins and pfunds and atomic mass. They are conventions that we have agreed to judge ourselves and others by. Arbitrary as they may be, we give them power they do not deserve. This is why I always list my weight in some weird other unit of measurement. To attmpt to take power away from the scale, to take power away from the scale. And if I can take it away from the external, I can reclaim it for myself.

I too am a slow loser. Banded 3/30/07 and have lost 15# since surgery, 35 over the past year. I've got 1 fill....the 2nd should be next week (if they don't postpone things again!) I know having the right restriction should help, but it's so frustrating when the Dr. office has to reschedule things. I can tell I'm fighting to keep my calories lower. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the fact I'm 35 less (NSVs & back to my wedding size feel GREAT) but I didn't get this thing to let it just sit inside my body. I want to be able to use the tool properly! Over the past year I've really made changes with my eating and now it's mostly quantity that's still the problem. (Thus my reasons for even getting a band...) It's so nice to hear I'm not the only one feeling unmotivated. My hubby is very supportive, but having folks dealing with this same issue means a lot. Thanks all for sharing and allowing me to vent. Annette

Lissa~ Now that's an NSV! Love it....

Sorry was flying yesterday... Total with yesterday and today, 81 miles! Woot!woot! Also an NSV... While I was waiting on my mom to land, I parked and went into the airport and walked around baggage claim, I had around 45 minutes, did over three miles, and as I was walking, I had to control myself because my body wanted to run....WANTED TO RUN !? what? I had to give myself a mental pat on the back... It was awesome!

Me too! My favorite 1st NSV was to go to Victoria's Secret and pick out 2 pretty bras. Like Jachut said, just hand wash and they will be okay! Karen

Hello friends, This past week has been one of breakthrough for me and learning so much about myself. I was asked to share some of my poetry with the Young Adults at my church last Friday and it was the first time that I felt truly confident and happy with who I was. I was happy with the person I was becoming and stepping in being- like really living. My identity was not wrapped around what I looked like, obsessing over a number on the scale or the "I'll be happy when" mindset. I am actually happy. Truly uncovering the depths of my being and who God created me to be has brought me freedom. I am done obsessing over my weight and letting it consume my life and shaping my whole life around if I am losing or not. I want to be healthy, I want to be alive, I want to truly enjoy my reality and I believe I am doing that! I still plan on controlling my weight but I am no longer allowing my weight to control me. This is an NSV for me, big time!

BIG NSV for me today. I just wrote out the final check to pay off my surgery!

You seem to really read my mind! I notice that, when I am not with a group of people even for a day, they always ask how I'm doing. If I say too much I get the "eyes glazing over" situation as well. I'm going to try to follow your lead. Congrats on your NSVs! I know it might be hard for you to see, but you aren't fat anymore! At all!!!

I think my favorite nsv was seeing my ex at a party and then all his friends who used to say how fat I was, come up and tell me how good I looked. I just smiled, thanked them and told them loud enough so he could hear too that it was only going to get better.