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Curtisj01, what a lovely NSV... I bet that felt really good...! Keep up the good work =]

That may be the best NSV I've ever read. Sent from my iPad using VST

OH my gawd. I would have paid money to see that. TOO FUNNY!! And what a HUGE NSV for you.

Well, today is my 61st Birthday. I guess no cake and no ice cream for me. Haha, maybe a frosty protein shake (actually that sound pretty good as it is still hot in Florida). I got up this AM and decided it would be nice to stand on the old scale. Well, I am down some. 2 more pounds down ..that makes 106 down..not bad. In fact, I feel pretty good about that. I am still on the "no exercise allowed" list until the Neurologist gives me the OK and that won't be until my visit on the 18th. (If then). I am walking a bit, about a mile a day but that is nothing compared to what I used to do (4-5 miles a day + a gym work out). Oh well, I do have to take care of my health. That fall has really left me with some issues. My weight loss has really slowed to a creep but, at least it is not going UP..I am thankful for that. Anyway, since it is my birthday, it is a good time to reflect on the past just a bit. A year and 2 months ago I was SHORT and EXTREMELY CHUNKY..268 pounds - baby blimp..today, 162. Still short and a bit chunky, but so much better than I was before. This journey has been worth it. Sure, I get stuff stuck, and I get miserable. I can't eat somethings that I used to enjoy but I try to figure out a way to satisfy myself with a substitution so all in all it is OK. I buy clothes in the regular department now and not in the plus size department - that is cool and I can hook my seat belt, sit in a standard size chair at the movies and on a flight..wow..my life has changed so much. My only regret..I didn't do this sooner. I get mad at myself every now and then for "breaking the rules". Don't sit there saying "what rules" you know what I am talking about. There is some really good tasting stuff out there that is a slider and goes down very nicely...This does take willpower and I am not the Queen of willpower nor patience..so I have cheated. Thanks to the band - it is just that, a cheat and not a way of life. So tomorrow is another day - a year older and hopefully wiser. I am so blessed to have a beautiful and supportive family (even though not everyone was on board with this surgery when I had it done). I will keep moving forward. Thank you to all my Lapband buddies that have been there to kick my butt when I fell off the bandwagon and encouraging me to stick with it on the bad days and to the ones who cheered with me on those NSV moments and the actual weight loss. You guys are the best - I guess becuase we are all in the same boat. Across the world in some cases, but in the same boat. I am glad I found you guys !!!! Have a great day, stay on track, get some extra exercise in this week and be proud of yourself and all that you have accomplished. Melinda in Florida

Hi all, I'm one of those people who struggles with head hunger from the time my kids go to sleep till I'm sleeping. I have been struggling with this for years and obviously since being banded its harder because before I would just give in and eat. Two nights ago I was really tired and after putting the kids to bed I went to bed myself, watched some TV and went to sleep, no snacking or thinking of food. Last night I did my usual, cleaned up a bit, watched survivor, american idol and some Pope stuff. When I got in bed I realized I didn't have a snack or even think about one. First I almost felt like I wanted to go back down and have something. (I found these really good frozen Greek yogurts from healthy choice that I love.). I digress! Then I realized, hey this could be the start of something new for me. Maybe I don't have to think about food all night and count calories in my head to see if I can afford just one more 100 calorie snack. Hears hoping! Lisa

What a great NSV!!!! I'm happy for you. I'm just hoping to have fewer "smile" lines everywhere.

OMG moment! You look fantastic! CONGRATS! Your mom must of been blown away and your best friend didn't recognize you at first! That is truly the best NSV ever! Keep on Rockin that Sleeve!

Hey Guys!! Well, it's been almost a year... I won't be at goal by wednesday, unless I miraculously lose 75 lbs in 2 days!!! LOL... anywho, I'm grateful and a little more focused now!! Hopefully, the next 6 months will be filled with sweat, loose clothing and plumping muscles!! My NSV happened last weekend when I went home to be in a wedding.. I was the MOH and had a wonderful time.. My mom burst into tears when she saw me... and my best friend almost walked past me!!! LOL... I try to keep these events in my mind as I struggle with not having lost 100#s yet.. When I put things into perspective... I'm doing darn good!! No meds, besides allegery stuff... I can wear clothes in a regular department store (which has added to my shopping addiction) and I have influenced a number of people (several co-workers) to pursue WLS to help them achieve and maintain a better quality of life.. The real update is coming on Wednesday (I hope)... Be encouraged, no matter where you are on this journey.. and remember, we are changing our lives one meal at a time!!!! (now) (before)

I would be angry to at my spouse. It is way too hot to cook today. But what an NSV to not think that much about dinner.

I'm a teacher and I've always been the fat teacher. I work with inner city kids, so I've been called fat a$$ and other lovely names by some of my more precious darlings... Yesterday, my students today were talking about their teachers. One asked if the other had that "big girl." The other said no, I don't have any fat teachers. I have that student 2 times a day :-) apparently I'm not a fat teacher anymore!!! :-D Then I stopped the conversation because we don't talk about other people that way. In my head, I was dancing and celebrating tho!

Great NSV!

So I went to cedar point last year and I was about 235, I'm 5 "4". So they have a tester seat before you get in line. I can get on most of the rides except if they have a lap belt because these hips and butt don't lie. I was turned away from one ride. My kids were like happened?? So I said I'm too fat. The last time I was in the 200's and could get on all the rides comfortably I was probably between 202-210. Some of those lap belts were the difference between 1-2 inches. I dodged going to the park in years before and we usually would go every year. So last year we had been long overdue. We're going again before the kids go back to school (like end of August) and I'm hoping to be in the low 2 teens (wishful thinking) but It would be such a NSV for me!!!!

GOAL 230 BY MAR 1 I NEED TO WALK 2X DAILY I LOOK GOOD! MY HAIR IS POKER STRAIGHT & FULL, I'M WEARING MY TAN TOP W GREY PANTS THAT ARE LOOSE. nsv both pants that Aideen gave me last month that fit are now loose & baggy WALKED 35 MINS IN AM 1.1 MILE BREAKFAST 1/2 C COTTAGE CHEESE 90 & 2 C TEA 1LG C (20 OZ) AT MEETING NOT V RESTRICTED TO DAY LUNCH: 1C TOMATO ROASTED PEPPER SOUP 80 & 1/2 C COTTAGE CHEESE 90 AFTER EATING I FELT RESTRICTED We fought after mtg he said I keep bothering him after he's done that Roger & I stopped him & I pointed a finger @ him. I told him he was splitting hairs & I couldn't believe the President of MLS would act the way he was. (He's pissed @ me because I am so shut down, now he doesn't get any vibe from me... & I look good ... how dare I not give him any good vibes...told me "who the hell are you" & I answered softly,"Right, who the hell am I after 3 years of working to build your company." He bolted to the door, I said "wait don't just run out" "No" he said & he ran out the door. He knew he went too far. RW said to me after, you 2 are funny how you guys banter because I said "whatever" is what teeny boppers say. I called Holb 4 Pattie & she was snotty 2 me... Either he told her to be that way or he was nasty 2 her too.

Loved this one!!! Here is mine: these days, I can climb stairs for almost 4 floors without having to take a short break at every floor to catch my breath! And I have used my asthma inhaler very rarely these 2 months (maybe twice). It is such a relief and I really look forward to all the NSVs that I hope will come my way

I almost 3 weeks out.. highest weight was 317 day of surgery 298 today 280....37lbs from my highest weight 18lbs since surgery.... Anddddd I'm down a size. From size 20 to size 18... Watch out 16's I'm coming!!!!!!

I am truly shocked that week 4 wasn't too bad!!! True story - during the second 3 minute run (alternates 5 and 3 min runs) I actually FORGOT I was running and was jerked back into consciousness when the guy told me to stop! This is truly a MAJOR NSV for me - I have never "forgotten" that I was exercising before in my life!

100 pounds down and my feet are still the same length...I've been wearing a size 10 since 6th grade so I don't think they'll get shorter at this point! My feet are a bit narrower and my instep is not as full so I can more easily fit into shoes... I used to be a "wide" width in many shoes.. I went to the shoe store last week to get fitted for some new athletic shoes.... and he came out with a MEDIUM WIDTH!!!! After I bought the shoes, I wandered over to the Dansko section and tried on a pair of danskos in medium width and they fit perfectly.... SO AWESOME because in the past, I was limited to only the plain shoes because those were the only ones that were offered in wide.. But now I can wear any cute pattern I want... I ordered a patent leather floral design... YAY for NSVs!

So, over the last three months, it's seemed like I was just stuck. I've barely lost 10 pounds, although I did drop 3 sizes. In that time, I've added in more and more exercise, really watched what I was eating and been pushing more Water. I've really looked hard for the NSVs and tried not to worry that my body was done. But, I was really getting frustrated because the weight loss had slowed down so much. I was so close to the 100 pounds lost mark and starting to think I'd never get there. In my head, I knew that this was a weight where I spent nearly 10 years on the way UP the scale and that I shouldn't get excited that it was taking me a while to drop below that point, but boy was it maddening! I'm happy to report that in the last few days, that stall has broken! I've lost 5 pounds in the last few days and it seems like my body and sleeve are cooperating again to drop more pounds! I'm also suddenly seeing more definition in areas that have been of particular interest to me (waist, collarbones, arms and legs). I don't know if my mindset changed, but I know that I have increased my exercise levels to where I'm doing nearly an hour of cardio per day, in 2 30 minute sessions, and I've been fairly strict on my carbs. So, YAY, the stall is broken!!! I'll take the NSVs, but it feels good to see that scale number dropping again, too.

Woohoo !!! Congratulations to all for those NSV's !!! Way to go !!! One of my first NSV's was sitting on the couch and pulling my foot up to my rear to give myself a pedicure !! No more big tummy in the way, and I did it without gasping for breath !! Hope that happens for you soon ! Good luck to all ! !

I was cleaning out my closet and found the 3x pair of scrubs I wore the day before surgery. I can fit both legs in one leg!!! So cool! AND I wore my daughters outfit yesterday. This is so much fun! Thank you Jesus for giving me the renewed life I have now. You probably can't tell but those scrubs were tearing at the seam they were so tight. 14 months later and I wear a small. That's all, just thought I'd share. Hope everyone is winning their own battle! Stay strong, it's worth the efforts. I cut my head off the scrub picture because I was looking a hot mess. I was cleaning!

I did pretty well at Easter dinner. My husband bbq'd chicken and he leaves the sauce for the side. My Mother had a plain fruit bowl, so that was my meal. While everyone else had brownies and ice cream, I had cherry yogurt. My brother's boys are 3 and 14, so of course we had an Easter egg hunt for the 3 yr old. Beautiful day! The highlight of my day was a call from my nephew, the marine. He is a gorgeous specimen at 6'7" and of course in excellent shape....he and his wife both! I had responded to an email from his wife and included a recent picture. He told me on the phone yesterday that when she showed it to him, he said, "that is not my Aunt!". He told me how proud and excited he is for me and just went on and on! It was just fabulous and he genuinely meant every word. I adore him and he is such a wonderful young man. We are very proud of him! The son I never had.... :wub:

I know you feel frustrated right now, it's completely normal. Just remember this is just temporary!!! Until you can find that "sweet" spot which for some comes quicker than for others. Until then just focus on making the healthiest choices possible, be sure you're getting 60-80g of Protein per day, 80 oz of Water, some sort of movement and eventually the scale has no choice but to start moving. Until then focus on your Non-scale victories (NSV's) no matter how small you think they may be they all matter. Right now you're probably losing some inches so try to gauge your loss by more than just the # on the scale. How are your clothes fitting, have you noticed an increase in energy etc. Don't give up, you just started and trust me the rewards that are waiting for you up ahead and far greater than you can imagine right now!!!! Can you give us an example of what you're eating and how much on a daily basis so maybe we can help further?

I celebrated my 10th month surgiversary 7/24 while I was on a cruise to the Bahamas. I was nervous about the "all you can eat" aspect of my cruise, and it was a non-issue for me! I have always hated buffets because of the temptation to over over-eat or shame . It turns out that I loved the buffet because I could literally take a bite of something and then be done with it. I enjoyed many different tasty meats, salads and the occasional treats. No weight loss or gain. I used the gym to my full advantage and thoroughly enjoyed my trip.

awww what a great nsv!

I have taken 3 big loads of clothes the the goodwill so far. I love the feeling of cleaning out the closet. I have kept a pair of 58 waist pant and a belt that worked with it for my "Trophy". I now stop at every Kohl's I see and check out the clearance racks. I only buy pants that are 80 or 90% off and my record is paying $4.50 for a pair of nice Docker's work Khakis. I bought a leather punch pliers to put new holes in my belts and have some with 4 new holes. I love that too. Clothes fit is such an NSV!!! I love to look for sales and buy ahead. I am in a 44 pants now, but have all I need in 42 already. I am an OPTIMIST!!!! Hope you all feel so good about this too. Isn't it great to shop with normal size people in the normal size people store??? My goal is to fit into the trendiest "Levi's" and I find they stop them at 38. Figure by summer I will be there!!! Happy Fashion Show!!! TJ