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My mind has wondered to all my NSVs of 2013 all day!! I had surgery April 5th and my greatest NSV was finally making the decision to have the surgery!! Overcoming that fear, financial worry and other people's opinions was by far the greatest non scale victory! That NSV has led to countless NSVs over the following months. I spent the summer at the pool with my kids in a bathing suit, I went back and rode a roller coaster I was kicked off of because I didn't fit, I am able to wear my wedding ring again, a bath towel wraps around me, I can tie my shoes with no problem, I started my exercise regime with walking and now I can sprint at 11 mph on the treadmill, my daughter shows me her muscles and says "look I have muscles like you", I can dry my jeans in the dryer, I can shop in the regular section (down to a 13/14 from a 24/26), I look forward to getting up every day and I'm not ashamed to see myself in the mirror, I don't avoid going grocery shopping and wait until after midnight when the store is free of people, I am active with my children. I can keep going for days! My NSVs have changed my life in ways most people can't comprehend. I work very hard and use my band as a tool to keep me from binging. I have never had a fill. I workout 4-6 days a week now and I loosely follow Chris Powell's carb cycling plan. The band isn't losing the weight for me, it sure helps but I take credit for every drop of sweat I have left in my gym since I joined at the end of May! Lol 103 pounds gone and never going back! 19 pounds left to lose!

Seeing my son in law for the first time in a year... He was onboard Ship for this past year in the Persian Gulf or somewhere over there... He was so surprised and told me several times how great I looked.. He is a triathlete, he runs all the time and for a 45 year old guy he's in great shape... He is also a Command Master Chief in the Navy.. We are very proud of him and him feeling proud of me is a big NSV.. He never said anything about my weight before but said he was worried about my health... Hope everyone has a great New Year and I am looking forward to a year of health and happiness..

As 2013 comes to a close, what a year it has been! Although I have not met any of you face to face, I share a special bond with each and every one of you. WE ARE CHAMPIONS!!!! WE MADE IT TO THE LOSER'S BENCH!!!! Through the up and downs, the good and not so good, it's been one heck of a ride! My pray for all as we enter the New Year, is that we continue to pursue and achieve our goals snd dreams that we, maybe thought were impossible, we enjoy more NSV's, better health, and we continue to rock those new outfits in smaller sizes (lol!). I thank all of you for the support, encouragement, and concern shown to me and one another!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! YOU GUYS ROCK♥

When I started I wasn't wearing jeans because my 24s no longer fit and I refused to venture any further than that. Now I'm in baggy size 12 jeans, from F21 of all places. But I don't understand it. Obviously the way weight loss works is you lose weight and clothes fit differently yadda yadda but, it's just so weird to me. I guess it's an nsv in a way right? I don't feel like I should be in anyones 12 much less them be baggy. What am I to do when the 12 is too big??? It's a great feeling to know that I fit into clothes or that I don't for a good reason. But I still don't feel like I belong in the "skinny:" side. I still have that feeling that an associate will come up to me and point me towards the plus sized section. Mental weight loss is a real b***h!

Wonderful!!!! I can kinda see where you are coming from on being mellow! Sometimes I wonder if I'll even be excited about hitting goal, more than wearing cute boots and other NSVs!!! I've loved following you these last couple months and too love that naked post! Now we need some before & after pics on this thread! Clothed please Bwahaha!!! Congrats you certainly earned even a bit of bragging rights!!!!

I love these NSVs. I went SKIING today! What a blast. I had to make myself come home because I know I'll be sore tomorrow, but I wasn't tired, my big legs fit in those boots without cutting off the circulation toy toes and the snow pants I got at Costco in October (size women's Large) will require a belt next time out. So excited to feel normal. It's been 25 years since I've weighed this little.

My nsv happened Saturday. I just got a cute new hair cute and had to go get cash due to the system being down at the salon. I went to 7-11 and was leaving the store when on of my friends walked right past me as if she didn't know me. I slapped her on her butt and she turned around having a look of shock on her face that was priceless! It took her a second to realize it was me. She had no words! It was pretty funny and made my day!

Hello Fellow Vets! I was just wondering what everyone's plans are for getting back on track after the Christimas Season? I haven't really done terrible but I did gain 3 pounds in the past two months. It really scares me. I don't really feel I eat more just made some bad choices. But with the weight gain, I HAVE to be eating more. Seems that old "sugar" habit is sneaking back in my life. I've decided to set a new goal for myself and be at goal by my 2 year surgeversay in May. I really want to have a BMI of less than 25 and be at my healthy goal of 145 to 150 by then. I'm excited about getting back on track and having some normalcy in my life after the holidays. I've also had a lot of stress in my life lately and am still dealing with the GERD issues and esophageal spasms. I've decided to try and live with it even though I'm on meds and probably will be forever. I still can't sleep on my sides and have to sleep propped up on my back or else I will get a spasm and they hurt like CRAZY!! Bypass isn't an option as long as I can function without doing more surgery. I can keep down food obviously so I pray that things stay stablized. Well, would love to hear how you guys are doing and what ideas y'all have for the new year! OH NSV.. Even though I gained three pounds, I was able to buy a size 10 jeans yesterday and they fit comfortably. I don't think I will be able to wear a size 10 in everything but I was happy happy happy to buy these! Decided to post these before and afters. I am still so grateful to have made it this far! Would love to see before and afters of my fellow vets! It really does help to see how far we ALL have come. GOD BLESS!

1. I had to take $100 out of the budget last week and go to ROSS and buy new dresses, nothing fits anymore. 2. The clerk at my local grocery store stopped and asked me how much weight I've lost. 3. I feel amazing!!! LOVE NSV shout outs. Thank you!

Hey Y'all! I had my 6 week checkup on Thursday - I can now eat anything I want! I'm not really hungry. When I do eat, I eat small amounts. For example, this morning Breakfast was a scrambled egg, 1/4 of a banana and 1 slice of a whole wheat bagel thin. lunch was a cottage cheese/fruit double (they have 1/4 cup of cottage cheese and a small amount fruit) and the other half of the bagel thin with peanut butter. dinner will be 3 to 4 ounces of baked salmon and roasted carrots. My checkup was good. My surgeon is very pleased with my progress. I have lost 38 pounds so far. My incisions have healed nicely. He expects me to continue to loose weight slow and steady. NSVs: 1) I am Type 2 Diabetic but have not been on any medication since the day before my surgery. My blood sugar numbers range from the 80's to the 130's. Occasionally, I have a number in the 140's but not normally. I've had two episodes of low blood sugar - 66 both times. I just ate something and felt much better with blood sugars back to normal shortly thereafter. I was also on the lowest dose of high blood pressure medicine and now I have to cut that pill in half. I should be off of that medicine at my 3 month checkup - hopefully. 2) Three years ago I bought a pair of Michael Kors jeans, size 20. They were on the clearance rack - regularly $125, after discounts and coupons I paid $12 for them. That's why I bought them then - something I would never spend that much money on but it didn't matter at the time of purchase that I couldn't wear them. I planned on getting into them some day. I've worn a size 24 (and 3x/4x) for the past 5 years. I was able to wear my Michael Kors jeans to a get together with friends on December 14! And - they were loose! 3) I went shopping yesterday and bought a size 18 skirt and a 2x top! 4) My husband keeps telling me how small I'm getting and that my face is getting thin. 5) I got a beautiful watch for Christmas and it didn't have to have any extra links added! As a matter of fact, it's loose. 6) I went out to dinner with friends and ordered my salad to take home and brought home 3/4 of my entrée. I had my salad to go because I didn't want to fill up on veggies first - I want to make sure I get my Protein in first and foremost. 7) My husband and I had pizza for dinner the other night. I ate the 1/2 the topping (pepperoni and cheese) from 1 slice and that was it - no crust. 8) My dress shoes (heels) feel loose on my feet. 9) I'm back into my honeymoon jeans (14 years old) and they are getting loose! For those of you who are just starting out - know that this is a serious, life changing surgery. I have diarrhea more than I used to. I get full very fast. If I eat too much I get the foamies but haven't thrown up. It's just uncomfortable and a yucky feeling in my mouth. You can feel the difference in your stomach - it doesn't feel or act the same - ever again. But, that being said, I wouldn't have believed that I have lost 38 pounds in 8 weeks (including the 2 week pre-op diet) and will continue to loose slow and steady. I would do it again. The first two weeks suck. Your body is healing, you can't get your fluids or Proteins in and you don't feel like yourself. the next 4 weeks the mushy stage becomes boring, but, I will say, refried Beans have never tasted so good! So - congratulations to those who are on the journey and good luck to those who have made the decision! Remember - Life IS good. Enjoy and give thanks. ~Susan.

Congratulations! Well done! Thank you for the inspiration! You know I am finding more joy in the nsv's than the number on the scale. Perhaps it doesn't feel so momentous since you've really been at goal for some time now. Anyway, I feel so proud and happy for you and I hope 2014 is our best year yet!

Totally get what you gals are writing about. I posted on the NSV thread last night that I went shopping with my girlfriend and got into size 12 slacks and was trying on XL tops. They were too big and my friend knew it. she kept bringing me. medium and smalls... which fit. I started out a year ago at size 26 pants and 4X tops. Oh and I shop at Walmart and Penney's a lot because I don't stay in the same sizes for long.

Here's today's NSV, and I admit it's a strange one. For the first 17 years of our lives together, my husband and I had a lovely, bright red couch. Around 5 or 6 years ago it became "my spot" in the house. Hubs walked by one day and said, "I don't think Couch Potato is right. You're a Couch Tomato." This of course progressed into various tomato-ey nicknames, in particular the German-pronounced "Tomat." Nothing mean-spirited. Today he walked in, saw me sitting on the new couch (a lovely sage green) and said, "I just can't call you Tomat anymore. You do not have the tomato shape." He walked away; retreated into his lair. He returned about two hours later and said, "I now dub thee the Couch Scallion." Beautiful and touching, right?

Congratulations! I too got a nsv. My hubby has gotten good at shopping for me. But He buys Purses or jewelry all the time. Not this this time he added a beautiful sweater in a size Medium. Which is the right size. I cant believe it. I'm too Happy that he finally feels comfortable again to buy me clothes. Yay Next, is Victoria Secret.

NSV you want to share ??? Georgia Recently elevator doors opened - packed with people from ear to ear i was gonna wait for the next elevator someone said something like "come on in, you are little enough" On t'day I looked at the couch with 4 family members sitting - i figured no way could i squeeze in my cuz said something like "kathy there is plenty of room here for you" my mom has always been very small, petite she said she had a couple of blouses i might like to try on with a jean jacket too i laughed saying - "mom you are so little i'll never fit into your clothes" but........you guessed it, they fit keep those NSV's coming!!! kathy

1. Drinking plenty of Water (this was the easiest for me; I gave up coffee before the surgery and I'm allergic to artificial sweeteners). 2. Daily weighing (but not getting discouraged by the stair step stalls). 3. Workouts (now at 6x a week). This may be my new addiction but my cardio health has improved so much in the last 3 months that this is my biggest NSV. 4. I didn't know the term nutritarian until Miss Mac mentioned it, but I'd say that is an accurate description of my new relationship with food. I've even put my foot down and insisted on organic produce. DH draws the line at grass-fed beef though. 5. Replacing bad habits with "me loving habits" --Lush bath products and skin creams etc.

Nsv's are the best. . Congratulations

So happy for you! There are going to be a lot more NSV's in the future trust me.

Today I had my first NSV ???????? I have a pair of pajamas with boxer style shorts that have stiff scalloped edging on the legs. They were always tight and I put them on this morning and the legs were loose!!!! I am discovering the bulk is coming off my legs, upper thighs and butt area first. I actually had butt sag in a pair of my jeans the other day too, LOL!! Thank you all for the support over Christmas. I got through just fine like you all said I would. I am concentrating on getting my protein, water and walking in everyday and putting my focus on that. ????

Bought my first Victorias Secret bra! I've never been measured, I've always winged it due to not wanting to be embarrassed. I've gone from 350 lbs to my current 225. I still want to get to 185, but I just wanted to share with people who would grasp the gravity of this NSV! I am working hard to get to goal hope everyone is doing well!

They're absolutely right, you do look like your daughter (or should I say she looks like you?). I don't think they were joking when they asked if you guys were sisters. If you had posted this picture without an explanation/caption I would have assumed I was looking at two sisters about 2 - 4 years apart. Talk about an awesome NSV!

Now that I've lost over 43 lbs I hear all the time how much I look like my daughter. Best compliment ever! The other day someone asked if we were sisters! (Yeah right) lol... [ATTACH]39151[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]39151[/ATTACH]

Oh YES!! L And not XL or XXL. Major NSV!

Here are my two NSVs, small as they are: I ordered a jacket to replace my old, big down coat in one size smaller. It fits. Not perfectly, but it fits! Also, my gym made new t-shirts. I asked for an XL (I usually work out in XXL men's shirts but they're big now) and didn't notice until I got home that they gave me a L. And it fits, well. I almost cried.

Just checking in! Sleeved June 19 down 60 pounds from day of surgery but down 87 since 1/1/13 which was when I started meeting with my surgeon. Today was a day of a couple nice NSVs. I went shopping with some Christmas money and bought a couple pairs of size 14 jeans from NY and Co, so that made me feel good. Then went shoe shopping and discovered my foot has shrank to a size 10 from a size 11 (still huge feet but I'm 5'10"). For tops I'm still in an XL because I'm still pretty busty but that's ok. I'm still 35-45 pounds from goal so we will see. It just felt so awesome to go into a regular store and buy regular sizes and have stuff look good. That certainly hasn't been my experience in the past.