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I don't normally post NSV for myself, but I thought I would post this one today. Especially since I really struggle with recognizing myself and my weight loss and not seeing a fat person staring back at me in the mirror. Today helped me put in perspective that I really do see myself differently than the rest of the world. I take my daughter to swimming lessons and have to be in the pool with her because she is not yet 3 years old and all the classes are parented. Today was life jacket day and I decided to put one one for my daughter as a good example. The first one I grabbed, the instructor said "Oh, I think that will be too big for you", so I grabbed another one and started to put it on, and she said to me in front of everyone else that I could probably even wear the size 2 life jackets (these are youth size life jackets!). I still wore the bigger one, but was shocked that someone thought I could wear something so small! The instructor is a young woman and I think she has a fabulous figure, and for her to look at me and suggest I need something smaller...I was blown away.

An occasional day of rest is required to let our bodies heal when we work out... and you're doing an amazing workout every day that you go without the chair! Don't take the rest days as setback. Instead use them as days to allow your muscles to heal and grow stronger. When we lift weights, we're supposed to give our bodies a day of rest in between. You ARE doing the same with forcing your legs to work... I'm totally thrilled for you and proud of you! You're determined to reach your goal and I have faith that you will reach that goal. I've figured out how you could do a ticker, too. You could either track "days out of the chair", using a 6 or 8 hour "day" and log each one as you complete it. OR you could track how many miles/feet you've walked and pick a destination. I believe Lil Miss (Stronger) Diva did that with her workouts. As she racked up miles she listed how much closer to a specific town she'd come. Maybe you should do something like football fields or the local mall that have specific distances. Even if you don't do a ticker, it's still a HUGE NSV. If you do, maybe it will be motivational for you on days you don't want to walk. You're doing great! Keep up the good work!!

I have been overweight since 4th grade. I always hated getting ready or dressed up because I hated the mirror. I was married 12 years ago (I was 18) and at that point I was getting dressed in jeans and at shirt, little make up and pulled my hair up. It only got worse 2 years later after I had my first child. As each kid came along I gave up something more with the first, it was make up. The second was jeans (went straight for sweats and elastic pants) and by the time the last one was here I was showering every other day and really not taking care if myself. I was never "dirty"or unkempt, I would just have a baby wipe rubdown and call it a day. On to the good news. I am 2.5 months out, down 53lbs. Gone from a size 28 to a 20 and you know, I get up, shower, I cut my hair, put makeup on and generally take care of myself. My whole adult life I avoided myself. I find I can actually look at myself in the mirror and point out one or two things I don't "hate". I know I am a long way from being considered beautiful (lucky for me my hubby thinks I am always beautiful) but I care now. And that is something I haven't been able to say for 12 years! Those that are pre op, keep up the hard work, it's worth it. Those that are sleeved, we should take a minute to reflect on what we have gained, maybe even write it down to pull out on those "bad" days :-)

I had a NSV today. Weighed in at 168. Down a 103 lbs from my high weight of 272. Went shopping and bought a size 12 bathing suit and size 12 Bermuda shorts. Still can't believe it. Had surgery oct. 13th. Tried on some size 12 jeans one pair fit perfect and the other pair were a little snug in. The belly I'm getting that droopy belly and forget about the boobs will need a reducation and lift someday . Good luck to all future sleeves it's been a ride for sure.

Hey everyone!! Still stuck over here, I think. I did not weigh this morning as I had a TON of salt yesterday and know I'm going to be retaining H2O, so didn't want to depress myself, LOL. Got up this morning and did 45 minutes of The Firm- whew!! That is hard core, for sure! So that's done . Meredith- that is such an awesome NSV!! Especially from a 16 year old- they're harsh critics, LOL. Good for you!!! Chrissy- that is awesome for you, size 16!!! That is awesome. Erica- I think that is an awesome goal. 38 lbs in 3 months is a stretch goal but doable! Good for you, and it will definitely be great motivation. I still had my giant bowl of ice cream last night. We'll see what the scale says. I know I'm DIR (doing it right) for the most part, so I just have to still keep on doing things right and working out and eating well. I know it will come off, that is what I love so much about my band, it's the motivation I have to keep on going. Before with a plateau it was like, "Great, this isn't working, I might as well throw in the towel and screw it anyways." Now it's like, well, I know it will work eventually if I just keep on going! Everyone have a great day!! Nicki

Chrissy, congrats on the NSV, and yes, going down a size is definitely an NSV. Don't beat yourself up over the scale not moving. There is no way any of us could lose that amount of weight, you being the most, and 2 days before my surgery, in such a short amount of time. { 6 mths this week for you & I} I think we're all doing great, learning to live with our new found friend, the lapband. We've all had ups & downs in our lives but as long as we're learning to control our {eating} emotions, it's a NSV all the way. I agree with Nicole, to change our goals to being more aware of our bad habits and turning them into positive ones. The scale will follow. Now, my goal today is to get my arse up in the gym. I bought Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown DVD to get me inspired. Haven't looked at it yet, but just looking at her picture of the cover of the DVD scares the hell out of me! LOL

Yay!!! What an awesome NSV =) I am so happy for you!

This is a great NSV!!!You probably deserve a new pair or 2. Best wishes,Karen

Thank you! For loving the list and for the kind words of encouragement. Do you share any of these NSV goals.. or have you achieved any? Any weird ones you have of your own??

We need to hand out a NSV of the year award. This takes it.

Hi Meredith...welcome back! What a great NSV!!! In the midst of my complaining the other day, I totally forgot to mention an NSV I had. Well...I guess its partially a scale victory..but I call it an NSV because the scale really hasn't moved much. However, how my clothes fit has. I went to Goodwill looking for some slacks because my 18/18Ws are really loose. I bought two pairs of slacks that are a 16!!!! I can't wait to wear them to work. They are washed and hanging...just ready to be shown off! LOL. And...I did NOT step on the scale today. That's something else I'm working on. Have a great day everyone!

That is truly amazing!!! What a wonderful NSV! I can't wait to enjoy those same experiences. Congrats!

Oh my goodness, Stace! You look great! What a wonderful NSV as to see your own pictures and realize how far yu've come! Congrats to you, keep up the great work. Karen

I went on our annual vacation last week..... I was able to do roller coasters with NO problems! I fit in them all! My son who is 8 was so happy I went on rides with him! He said it was the best vacation. I cried. I did walk alot though which to me was a NSV as I was able to keep up and at times was able to keep going when everyone needed a break! Michelle xo

Hi Gals, I'm back as promised. Had some company the past week so just threw an eye in here and a quick post. Nicole1: I like the idea of behavior changes as a goal, with or without losing weight because in the end, if we continue to change our old habits, we'll eventually lose the weight! I've been slacking off with journaling, tracking, Water, and exercising. Not even my FitBit got me motivated! No excuses but I can name many but that would be an old behavior now wouldn't it? :-) I got back to working out, bought all new Vitamins {I stopped with them too} got the Fitbit on, and getting my mojo up and running. Did Leslie Sansone's 5 mile burning fat DVD yesterday. One would think walking is a piece of cake but I have to say, she can kick your butt and feel a great workout afterwards. Kymie: thanks for the website re: calculating our weight loss. I'm at 21.28% so far. I never like numbers before when it came to weight but I do now!!! Erica: Glad to hear you had a great vacay and you didn't let your lapband get in the way. Although you enjoyed what you ate, it was a treat, and not a treatment as my mother would say, and you worked out on the beach and burned it off. 2lb gain is not bad and now you even lost it. I lived a block from the beach before moving and every weekend, I would walk barefoot in the sand before the world got up. It was a great workout as well as being blessed to be at the Jersey Shore. I also agree with the other's here re: betrayal at work. Shame on them but glad to hear you rose above it! They'll all be enying you as you continue on your journey to become the Lapband model! :-) JDI: Talk about work outs, the Firm really is an awesome workout! I haven't seen the newest version of the DVD's but have the old 'cassettes' and they surely pack a punch when it comes to the hips, thighs and butt! You go girl! Chrissy: What a dilemma you have, what with your skirts getting too big! Don't you just love it? Of course, it's an added expense but well worth it in the end. During the summer months I've always worn the mid thigh broomstick skirts since I would never wear shorts and couldn't find cropped pants that would fit properly. I've noticed now, the waistbands are stretched out somewhat and actually hiding my 'thinness'. I mentioned here earlier in the week that I bought hiking shorts and just love them and feel no one is looking at me saying or thinking 'who does she think she is wearing clothes like that'? Too late in the season to find cropped pants but that's ok. I'm sure I have some in storage for next summer. {size 10}. Chrissy, hope the humidity has broken where you are and in Kentucky and all across the country. We had a few storms and our humidity finally broke. It's 70 deg here this morning at the Jersey Shore and it's gorgeous. Slept with the windows open last night which I love to do so I can hear the birds chirping early in the a.m. Ladybandito: Glad to hear the irritation is gone. I think we can all relate to that at one time or another. Your doctor sounds like he/she is very conservative with their philosophy on WLS. My Dr is and I'm ok with that. Are you losing in inches? I don't get crazy about the numbers on the scale. Since doing the surgery, if I've gone up 2lbs at anyone time, I'm am over joyed. Prior to surgery, I could go up a good 5lbs at any given time, and continue! I mainly go by my clothes and how the fit as well as the scale. Speaking of which, I am at a plateau for the past month and now stepping up my game and bought a Yoga DVD to get me inspired. I use to do yoga back in the day. It seems to be the rage around here so I thought it would be good to do on my non cardio days. I had another NSV yesterday which will stay with me for a loooonnnnggg time. My 16 yr old step daughter is visiting from SC. We've had our differences over the years like lots of step moms/daughters. She use to always say things to me or about me re: my big butt!. She came home at Easter time and was surprised my 'big butt' wasn't so big. Yesterday, I happened to be in the bedroom with a tank top and undies getting ready to change and she came in. She said, :omg, your butt"!!! I I looked in the mirror and thought it grew over night when she said, "it looks awesome"!!! LOL Ok, flabby but much smaller and awesome! I'll take it!!! LOL

AWESOME! GREAT NSV! I had 2 tubs of clothing from skinnier days tucked away in the attic...to my dismay, the lids to the tubs came loose evidently from getting too hot and too cold up in the attic and mice found their way to them. Result...very holely clothing Did a complete attic clean and set some traps, but that won't bring my clothes back

I am slowly but surely telling people about my surgery and I cannot expess enough the same answer to the same question. How long do you have to eat like this? Answer- Forvever, I didn't go through all this pain and pay all this $$$$ to gain weight all over again. And stop inviting out to dinner, let's go walking or bowling or watch a movie instead. I know that friends will come and go during this journey and I am ok with that. I believe that the true friends stick with you no matter what. NSV - Working out of on the eliptical for 30 minutes straight. That is a big one for me. Those last 10 minutes were killer. These two months have not been as bad as I imagined. I feel really great, positive attitude with life in general and energetic. I definitely know that the guys are paying a little more attention now that I have slimmed down a bit. My friends always said they were looking before but I never noticed. Now I see a smile here or there. A pause with direct eye contact by a stranger. But I still believe in the ones that were around BS (before surgery) those are the true ones. Even though it doesn't hurt to find new friends . I am looking forward to August, I just found a new house and I am starting the process for purchase. This is really exciting. If all goes well I will be sipping lemonade in the shade on my new screened in porch.

Hello, world. I thought I'd take the time to formally list out my non scale victory goal list. Having been around the weight loss block and back again oh say.. 10 times over (enough already!).. I recognize the importance of setting scale and non scale victories for myself. As a young lay-daaay (oh, haaaai!) who has been overweight all my life but with a trendy, fashion-loving sense of style, I have a long one. Sure, I have my weight and health goals. Of course. I've had them for years. But now's the time to list out every detail - big and small - that I have wanted to get to my entire life but due to my weight, have yet to achieve... and keep. Mr. List - I vow to come back to you throughout my weight loss journey for motivation, reminders, celebrations and reality checks.. for those plateaus and frustrating times to keep me going. I'm starting with 18 because I'm a superstitious freak and that's my lucky number. Ready, set... Fitting into designer skinny jeans. Not James Jeans from Salon Z at Saks (though I do love you, boo), but honest to goodness designer denim: Sevens, J Brand, Joe's. Tankini... or, dare I say it.. bikini? Sitting in a chair without something in my lap - a sweater, HUGE BAG, or hiding behind a table to hide the rolls of my stomach. Who am I fooling? The end of thigh chafing. TMI, but Chicago summers? Come ON. More easily tying or strapping on m'shoes sans tummy to make things difficult. The end of plus sized clothing options. Confidence to show my arms. Rock a Rent the Runway dress (standard sizing) for the next wedding I attend! Courage and energy for spinning classes at Fly Wheel or Soul Cycle Easily do ten perfect push ups - the bain of my existence in all my current workout vids! Zipping into my favorite top from my studying abroad (thinnest days) Fitting into any clothing item smaller than an XL or single digits Shop in the same stores/sections as my girlfriends and be able to buy more than just accessories! Take photos without hiding behind people. Actually needing a belt. (Not just for a fashion statement) Able to be carried... On top. Nuff said. Cross my legs... easily, with a sky high pair of platforms, natch. More to come! Anybody else? What are your NSV goals, hopes or achievements? Mine may seem random or superficial, but so many times in my life I've wanted to be able to more easily do these things but my weight has prevented me from enjoying them.

Thanks Amy. That makes more sense....Non-Scale Victory! NSV.

NSV is a good one. You'll see it a lot around here.

NSV? Never heard of that. I do love how u explained that- that is exactly what I think all the time. I saw all those things slipping away from me slowly (can't cross my legs without holding my leg with my hand and that hurts! All of those things. I'm sorry to keep repeating myself (if u have ever read any other posts of mine) but I am so counting down the days and I just pray insurance goes through. Xxx

Yes, there's a lot of work to do, but it's SO worth it when you start having those NSV's !!!