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tutornmom, I think that is a great NSV and I'm SURE that's why no loss. I'm on HTC for my BP as well and whenever I forget to take it, I gain 2lbs. Every. Single. Time. I'm hoping to be able to stop mine soon but I'm just now finally keeping it in the normal range with the meds. It's one reason I really started thinking about surgery. With the HTC it was still a little too high. I was looking at more meds soon and just didn't want to go there. I also have major heart/BP history on BOTH sides of my family so I'm probably behind the 8-ball anyway but am doing all I can to at least be healthy as I can be. I am absolutely thrilled for you! I'm in a contemplative mood with my 1 year coming up. It's just amazing to me, this last year. I haven't lost a lot but I am happy to be where I am. Especially when I look at where I was! If I hadn't had surgery, I would've gained. Before surgery I had been playing with the same 4lbs for the better part of a year! I'd be on more BP meds, I could hardly walk with my bone spurs, my back hurt (still does sometimes but it's WAY better!), and on and on and on. Today I turn 41 and without surgery, I would be MISERABLE! Now, I'm excited about how I'm feeling and looking. Just amazing to me. Absolutely amazing!

Hey y'all, I'm incredibly excited and I have to share this with someone who will understand! I was sleeved on May 18th and since then I've lost around 16 pounds. The scale hasn't moved in almost a week though and I've been wanted to add in exercise so I thought now would be a great time to do so. I've had an elliptical for a couple of years and I finally got back on it a few days ago. Tonight when I was on it it hit me - I wasn't out of breath! Before my surgery when I would get on it (a year or two ago) I was out of breath within five minutes and the rest of my workout was a huge struggle. Tonight when I was almost finished I realized my chest wasn't on fire! I think I'm more excited about this than the weight I've lost!! Anyways just wanted to share with my fellow sleevers! God bless!

I am officially 7 months post surgery and am incredibly happy with my progress so far. I'm down 122.4 lbs total, and 80.8 since surgery. A few of my NSVs: - The arthritis in my knees causes significantly less pain - I am walking 2 miles most days, and hiking when I get the chance (up to 6 or more miles) - My strength and endurance is increasing. I still get winded and need to take breaks (especially on inclines) but there's no way I could have done some of the hikes I'm doing pre-surgery. - I'm down from a tight 2X to a L or XL. - I have collarbones again Below pics is from shortly after I started my journey (pre-surgery) to this morning.

Great nsv and I wish you a speedy recovery! Sent from my iPhone using VST

WoW!!! Fantastic NSV, Vicki!! I'm so happy for you. And just think.. this is just the beginning!!

Biked to work for the first time this morning, 21.7 miles, 90 minutes, 1130 calories, 41.8 degrees average temp. The real NSV will be when I make it home

I'll start with the good news! I went into Dress Barn the other day and the store is basically separated by "regular sizes" on the left and "plus sizes" on the right. For the first time in years, I didn't have to stay on the right side! I'm pretty sure I still could have fit into the smaller stuff in the plus sized section, but being able to fit into the "regular sizes" was too darn crazy for me to walk away from! Bad news is I haven't lost an ounce in the last couple of weeks. I consistently wonder if my calorie intake is too low (between 700-800, I'm 3.5 months post-op) but every time I try to see if I can increase it, I find I simply can't ingest any more food. The only thing I can think of to have more calories in the same volume of intake would be to up the fat content, but my NUT has me scared away from eating over 30 g of that a day. I'm frightened of carbs all on my own, so that never goes over 50 g (some will still say that's too high, I know.) I really should up the exercise a bit, but I doubt that's the main contributing factor--it's not like I've been sitting around doing nothing! Sigh, I wish I had more guidance, since they only seemed to give me any in the liquid and smushie stages. I just hope this snaps soon. Oh well, at least I have 3 cute new dresses, a cute new shirt, and cute new black skinny jeans!

So my hubby took me away to an awesome resort in Indian Wells for some R&R since we were off today...well guess who was up at 7:15 am and at the fitness center today MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can y'all believe it??? lil ole MEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so stinkin proud of myself I just had to share!!!! I even had my hubby take some pics too!! I want to tell you I never thought I would like working out but I DO, I REALLY DO! And NEVER in a million years thought I would...if I can do this ANYONE CAN. I felt so good afterwards to sit out by the pool and then relax and I can feel good the rest of the day. Hugs to all

Okay, this may not be a big NSV, but it was to me. I have never worn less than a size 22 or 24 in LB jeans, even when I lost weight on my own. But, today I stopped in LB to buy some Spanx and said let me try on some jeans. My surgery was 2 weeks ago today and I could wear a size 20 jeans! Woohoo! I don't know how much I've lost because I decided not to weigh until I go to the doctor on Wed., but I'm pretty happy with that little victory! Yay me...

Ive been going to the gym 2-3x week since surgery and was never that psyched on it... but last night I had TRIFECTA of NSV's!! And its soooooo encouraging, I have to share! 1. Ran a tredmill 5k in under 45 minutes without stopping and without doing any training! 2. Pre-VSG I was a sweat-er at the gym.... I mean it looked like I just got out of the pool sweat-er and it was so embarassing... and last night, a bit of perspiration, but nothing close to like it was before! 3. My form-fitting yoga pants were falling down! **bonus** 4. Im not even sore today! Im in a bit of a stall lately, so these NSV's were particularly sweet! All you staller's- get on out there this weekend and get your sweat on..... we will break this insanity NOW!

37% lost here whoo yoo these are the NSV that keep us motivated

I normally don't post alot - mostly read, read, and read some more but I am so excited right now I just have to share. I had been wearing my size 26 pants and was getting really tired of how baggie they were and thought I'd pop into WalMart to see if they had any good clearance deals on pants so I could actually get something a little smaller. I took a 20 and a 22 into the fitting room and tried on the 20 and they actually FIT!!! I was so totally excited that I grabbed an 18 as well (they were on sale for only $7.00 which I thought was a totally awesome deal) so I would have another pair for when I lose a little more. Well, I got home and decided to try on the 18's and guess what - THEY ACTUALLY FIT!! A little snug but they FIT!! I can't remember the last time a size 18 fit me. :cool2: I have lost almost 50 pounds since I was banded on 10/29/07 - things have plateaued a bit but I know I have lost inches since starting to work out 3-4 times a week. I don't think anyone will be wiping the smile off my face for a while - by the way - I LOVE MY BAND!!!! :huh2:

Vines, these are excellent goals. I was just trying to think of some. For me, though, double digits in kg is probably just around the corner. I'm currently at 220 lbs (100 kg). I've been making personal scale goals in 10 lb increments. When I was stuck at 230 lbs for three weeks, I was very disappointed, until a co-worker pointed out to me that I looked smaller. I went home that evening and measured myself, and sure enough I had lost inches, but I couldn't see it for myself until I did side by side. (click here: http://www.geocities.com/cissy1218/photos2.html) But then of course, after my first fill, I lost those 10 pounds in 10 days. I'm not even looking for the scale to move again any time soon. So what I have determined now is that when I'm looking for scale victories, but the scale isn't moving, look for a NSV with measurements.

That's awesome. I hope I can do the same next year at the Disney Half Marathon. That is such an amazing NSV. Congrats!

Well hello there everyone - long time no see!!! It has been 3 weeks since my last post (that sounds like I'm in confession!!) I've been on a wonderful holiday in Khao Lak and Phuket Thailand. The weather was great, the resorts were amazing and I've come home feeling fully re-charged. On my holiday, although I didn't over-eat, I definitely ate whatever I wanted and didn't think too much at all about the calories - except when it came to cocktails, I couldn't get it out of my head that I was consuming empty calories with no nutritional value. I am so happy to report that I've returned home weighing exactly the same as when I left. I know the goal of this thing is to actually lose weight, but I have never ever in my life come home from a holiday without gaining weight. I really am so thrilled that I've managed to maintain it this time. I even managed a few NSV's on my time away - particularly shopping in stores that I have never found anything in before that would fit my size - yipppeee!!! My band definitely helped in this regard, it let me know whenever enough was enough, so I didn't try to put more food in than I could. I'm now back on my usual eating plan and and feel so much happier and healthier for my time away. I've attached some pictures for your viewing pleasure - I think the smile on my face says it all!!!

It's possible Cajun - even when my scale doesn't move, my clothes continue to get looser -- congrats on the NSV!

I am very happy to report that during my appt. with my primary MD on Wednesday, my blood pressure was 104/45. That is definitely low for me as I usually run 130/80 even on 4 different blood pressure meds. I had been experiencing some light headedness (new word) every time I stand up. My doctor concluded that with my weight loss and healthier lifestyle that we could drop one of my meds. I am very excited. It is certainly nice to see the benefits of my surgery and all the hard work I am doing. Doing a happy dance! :Banane02::Banane05::Banane04:

Congrats on your new grandson and your NSV!!

Oh yeah, and stay off the scale. Take note of your progress by how your clothes fit and other NSV's. I actually dropped a whole pant size during the month I was "stalled". I don't even own a scale, so The only reason I even knew I was stalled was because I went to the doctor 6 times between weeks 6 and 14 and they weighed me each time.

What are your recent NSVs? I'm 11 days post op. And I have a couple NSVs: 1. My sister had a pool yesterday and she ordered pizza, wings and fries and I was not tempted by any of it! I was so worried about the food temptation, I almost canceled. 2. I meal prepped (first time ever) and brought my lunch and snack to the party. 3. I was comfortably able to tie my shoes while sitting in a chair. (Heeeeyyy) 4. I ran after small kids at a pool party.

I am going through the same thing...Always taken back when a smaller size fits..Still not where I was when I was a teenager and really don't expect to be....but a size 12 or 10 would be okay with me... Congrats on your lovely NSV......

I went to the hospital tonight to get my port incision stitched my... My tube had pushed through my incision... Anyway, when they checked my blood pressure they didn't have to use the adult large cuff! Haha I guess my arms are skinnier now because the normal one fit just fine! Usually it pops off when they check my BP and they have to switch to a large cuff. I was so excited about this... My husband thought I was hilarious. I love the random and unexpected NSVs. Losing weight is fun:-) Have any of you guys had any victories lately??

@@angierue i walked between 2 cars that were parked very close to each other there was very little room, but then again, so was I (little i mean ) nothing like a good ol' NSV to put a smile on your face kathy

Here is my complete list of NSVs (non-scale victories) today. Since I am not seeing any change in the scale, I decided that I needed to review my progress, to see how my life has changed since March 14th, 2005. Because I was so distraught earlier this week because I listened to the damn scale, I decided I needed to list them all in one place. If you are not currently tracking your NSVs, I really want all y'all to start tracking them. Besides, when we are all invited to the Oprah show we need to have some evidence besides what the scale says, right? My most important NSV is that I haven't died from respiratory failure. 03-27-2005, 11:04 AM I finally have an NSV! my rings fit again! And I don't have the terrible edema problem I developed over Christmas any more! Woot! Two NSVs for week two! 03-29-2005, 08:18 AM This is a gi-normous NSV. I haven't used my inhaler in five whole days! As many of you know, I have terrible acute and chronic asthma. Five days before my band installation, I had to be taken to the ER via ambulance. My asthma was one of the main reasons I got the band, that whole prospect of death by respiratory failure just didn't appeal to me. (..."I want a death by misadventure) My book bag doesn't seem as heavy as it was before I was banded. (and I do almost all my walking with that book bag) It doesn't hurt to stand at the sink when I do the dishes anymore. I believe it is because I can get closer to the sink because my tummy is smaller. I've lost an inch from my waist! Speaking of inches lost, I've lost a total of 11 from my entire body. 03-30-2005, 06:29 PM another day, another NSV! I ran up a flight of stairs this evening. I didn't even realize what I had done until after I had done it! And my had my 20 pound backpack on. I wasn't even winded when I got to the top either! New crop of NSVs 4/5/05 Okay, one of the women in my math class wanted to know how much weight I’ve lost. “You’re looking good! How much have you lost?” My purple robe fits me! My jeans slide off my butt! New NSV 5/7/5 Monday will be my eight week bandiversary. All my pants have been very baggy, so today I tried on a pair of pants I haven't been able to fit for 4 years and I could button them! Size 22 black jeans. 05-10-2005, 07:44 AM Sunday night I woke up because I was laying on something hard. I figured that I must have rolled over on a book or something like that. (I sometimes fall asleep reading). I felt around in the dark, but I couldn't find anything that didn't belong in my bed. The hard thing? it was my ribs. 05-19-2005, 11:20 AM the other day the weather was on the wet side, so I zipped my jacked. Just like that, without even a second thought, zuup up the zipper went. And then it hit me. I. Zipped. My. Jacket! No wiggling, no struggling, no thought! Holy weight-watchers Batman! 05-24-2005, 11:56 AM I got a great NSV Sunday night when I got home. My sweet son wanted to know how I was doing, with the band. We've been apart since I got my band 10 weeks ago. He said I looked really good, and that my face was full of life, and that I was glowing. Then I had to chase him down the stairs and out the front door, and around the truck. I RAN down the stairs, I RAN around chasing him until we nearly collapsed laughing! 06-21-2005, 10:09 PM Today I wore a pair of jeans I haven't been able to fit into since 2002. Today I walked 15 minutes to and from the restaurant for lunch, and I wasn't winded, and I didn't need my inhaler. Today I took a walk with my son and he had to tell me to slow down (of course the silly boy wasn't wearing any shoes...) Today I went grocery shopping after work, and then DID NOT collapse on the sofa all night. 06-23-2005, 11:23 AM Another day, another NSV. Today, not only am I wearing for the first time, a shirt I got for Christmas, but I RAN FOR THE BUS. Yes, you read that correctly, I RAN for the bus. It's not like there wasn't another bus in 5 minutes... but I RAN. Me! and I wasn't winded either! Heh, sure, I'm happy with all my NSVs but a part of me is wondering when I'm going to start having some weight loss! 06-26-2005, 09:40 AM And here I was, worried that I'd never have any NSV when I started this journey... Today, I needed a belt! Now, I'm not in any real danger of pulling a Jonathan in the grocery store, but my pants are uncomfortably loose. I didn't even think that was possible! So, I dug out an old belt that I haven't been able to wear and it fit! 1 notch down, 13 more to go! 07-13-2005, 08:29 PM Major NSV time! I had to get a pair of Khakis for my trip to NY this weekend. I was told "brown khakis" which don't really exsist... Anyway, I digress. I tried on a pair of 22, thinking they might fit. Nope, too baggy. I tried on a pair of 20s! They were on the baggy side! I got a pair of 18s, and they fit! I fit into a size 18 today!!!!! Okay, I didn't buy them because they were not pretty, but I could put them on! Oh my gawd, oh my gawd, oh my gawd! A size 18! I haven't been able to squeeze my pretty little self into a size 18 since my baby was small! Oh sure, my jeans aren't a size 20, but still! It looks like I'll be bringing some clothes to the Las Vegas Bash after all! 07-28-2005, 10:17 AM Okay, I apparently gained 3 pounds but I lost another notch on my belt! Woot! Maybe the best one of all... This morning I realized that I will never go hungry again. (it's a wolves thing) 08-07-2005, 11:28 PM This weekend at the Beach I discovered that forgot a jacket. So I had to buy a new one. I picked up a 2x and it fit fine. A little roomy but that's okay. Wait a second... The sleeves are a bit long. Let's try the XL. I know, I know, an XL? That’s crazy talk. Hey! This XL is pretty roomy... but the sleeves fit. So, I had this totally insane idea... What would happen if I try on a Large? oh, it's never going to fit, it won't even zip up. Nah.. I'm too fat for a LARGE. oh my gawd, she's actually going to try to put on a LARGE jacket??? What, is she nuts? Is she a glutton for punishment? No! She's the proud owner of a powder blue fleece Long Beach Washington jacket!!! SIZE LARGE 8-11-2005 I am not hording food anymore. 8-14-2005 I just realized that on my cross country flight to Syracuse NY I did not need a seatbelt extender. Not only did I not need one, I actually had wiggle room in my seat. 8-21-2005 Well, my NSV has to do with my hording. I gave 2.5 big black lawn & leaf bags of clothes to the help house. I was going to bring them to the bash, but I felt that they were more needed here. I got rid of them while packing to return to exile. 8-22-2005 back to school, and I fit into the desks so well my tummy doesn't even touch the table! No squishing into the desks! 8-25-2005 I just realized that I didn't have any trouble with the change in altitude or the change in heat this year. For the last 2 years going from temperate Seattle to the extremes of Pocatello were very hard on me. A week after being here I ran up 2 flights of stairs in the COB without being terribly winded or needing my puffer. I also have been handling the heat just fine. Of course, having an AC sure helps... 8-30-2005 I had to go buy a big skirt for my Middle Eastnern Folk dance class... Yeah, they don't want us to call it "belly dancing" here, they feel it has "negative connotations." Yeah, what ever, it's belly dancing. I went to several stores trying to find a skirt that would match the requirements, let alone worry about the size thing... So at the 4th and final store I found one, a cocoa dip-dyed skirt. The biggest one was a LARGE, so I wasn't too hopeful. But I was brave and went to try it on. IT FIT! I just bought a size LARGE skirt. Not 2X, not XL, but just LARGE!!! Mind you, when I bought my Large jacket, I really suspected that the label was wrong, that it had been marked Large in error at the factory, an that it was some sort of cosmic joke on me. Sort of like that pair of size 18 pants that I was able to fit into (didn't buy but that's a different story). I felt that was in error as well. Maybe it wasn't an aberation, maybe it's the truth. I feel like I have no restriction at all. I still haven't lost any more weight, but I'll take my size shrinking. My other NSV is a medical one, and has to do with my leg skin graphs. In about 2001 I had a revision of one of my skin graphs from my motorcycle accedent. Every day since the revision, I had to wrap my leg in an ACE wrap to give it support so it wouldn't blow-out. I had such bad edema that if I didn't wrap it, it would buldge out quite a bit because of the nature of the graph. I stopped needing to bind my leg a couple of months ago. I simply don't need to any more, no more edema problem. 9/1/2005 My knees doen't rub together when I walk anymore. My belly roll is squishier and hangs a bit lower. This is an NSV because it is proof that I am loosing fat. 9/12/2005 This past weekend was the Bandster Bash in Las Vegas. I had to tighten the airplane seatbelt. Sure, I've lost 3 pounds since 2/29, but I'm trying soo hard to not focus on that. Focus on needing to tighten the seat belt. At the Bash this weekend, I got several pieces of clothes. Okay a whole new wardrobe. When you wear your own clothes over and over, it is really hard to notice any difference. I mean really hard. I've been working my way into several pairs of pants that I haven't been able to wear in years and they are size 22. Yet at the bash, I found size 18 pants that were comfortable. What gives with that? Anyway, I have a few pairs of size 18 that are comphy. 9/15/2005 I've been looking at my body fat % and my current Fat Free Mass. If I don't put on any more muscle mass, and stay current where I am, I only need to lose 55 to 70 pounds, not 70 to 100 pounds. I think that's counts as an NSV. Of course, if I can manage to put on 15 pounds of muscle like NanaHarly (Pat in Virginia) did, then I only need to loose 35 to 50 pounds! Woot! I know what I'm going to focus on! I was tallking to my DH on the phone and I casually crossed my legs. HOLY SH*T!!!! I CROSSED MY LEGS!!!!! 9/17/2005 As of today, I have had 46 NSVs. That amazes me. Today's NSV is that I dropped a .5% in body fat. 9/27/2005 I had an NSV this weekend of a sexual nature. Let's just say that I'm not as bulky.... My forearems and calves have amazing definition. My low belly is shrinking, and starting to gain some definition. 10/1/2005 My 50th NSV is that I am no longer The Great Crystal Dam in the bathtub. There was room on both sides of my hips in the tub! At this rate I'll have to invest in some rubber duckies... 10/2/2005 Spoke with my mom on the phone last night. She said it has been years since my voice sounded so strong. She said there wasn't any breathiness at all. I guess after years of severe asthma, I'd developed a sort of wheezy -breathy sort of way a speaking. 10/22/05 I had a fitness assessment done yesterday. While my aerobic fitness score wasn't very high, 22 out of a scale of 20-50 (needs work), my over all fitness level fell into the Fair range, and my blood pressure is in the Fit range. (mind you, I've always had good BP, except for the first few weeks I'm back in SE ID due to the altitude and heat change) 10/27/05 I am offically no longer Morbidly Obese, but simply Obese. Today my BMI is 39.6, so I might not even qualify for the surgery, if not for my co-morbidities, which are all under control. My second NSV for the day is that I have been invited to dance professionally at a Greek restaurant here in town. It will be fun to be able to put on my resume that I'm a Professional Belly Dancer. 11/5/05 All my pants are starting to look like giant clown pants, none of them fit in the butt or thighs anymore. If I didn't have this damn thick waist, I would really be in honest size 18 jeans. My black leather jacket is going to have to be retired soon. It's rediculously large on me now. The sleves alone now hang past my finger-tips and it looks like I could smuggle a medium sized ham in each shoulder. So I tried on my big winter coat, and now it really is my huge winter coat. It's about XX too big. It's fully reversable a suede stadium jacket, with lepord fake fur on the other side. I love this jacket, but next year, some other lucky bandster gets to love it. It's important for me that last winter before I was banded I couldn't zip the black leather jacket up. There was a 2-3 inch gap that just wouldn't meet. While the stadium jacket fit, it was pretty snug. Not any more! 11/10/05 Lastnight I was using my laptop. In my lap. This means that I HAVE A LAP!!!!! Woot! 11/14/05 When I sit on the floor or in a hard chair, I feel the bones in my butt. Not only my tail bones, but other bones (probably my pelvic bones?) as well. 11/17/05 Okay, time to bump the thread. Last night while Iwas talking on the phone to an old friend from high school I again casually just crossed my legs. Without thinking about it. I know I've done this before, but it's a mind thing I think. Other NSVs include belly dance stuff. My DH won a few auctions on ebay for me, a couple of B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L belts, a gorgous silk veil and a pair of harem pants. The pants looked impossibly small, even with an elastic waist. I just knew that they were NOT going to fit, but being the glutton for punishment that I am, I attempted to put them on anyway. They fit! They are too shere to wear without a skirt, so that will have to be next on my list of things to get. The other victories around dancing are some of the skinny ones are asking me for help, since they cannot get some of the moves quite right. I'm also getting really excited about dancing at the restaurant. I'll do that once I get home after Thanksgiving, and I complete my costume. I still need a top and a skirt I mean, I just bearly broke out of MO, and I'm going to be a fat professional dancer. What am I thinking? I mean, what am i thinking, other than I'm dead sexy and a fine belly dancer. 11/19/05 Okay, Thursday I passed up free donuts, and this weekend I've been busily working in my yard now that I'm home. Raking big fat soggy leaves, clearing flower beds, and the like. DH is amazined at my level of energy, and so is son. I guess I'm a little amazed too, since for the last several years the only energy I've had at this time of year has been spent trying to breathe or something aerobic like reading or playing video games. I've gotten used to a more active lifestyle in ID with all the walking and PE/dance classes I attend. I routinely walk up several flights of stairs with my heavy bookbag, where this time last year I was using a rolling bag, and needing to take the elevator because my asthma was so bad. 12/09/05 Well, tonight I make my semi-professional debute again! We had our dance department dance review Wednesday night, and pix will be forthcoming. We were great, several people told us that we were the best group on stage, so that was awesome! I went out on stage, in front of an audience of maybe 300 or 400 people, and I OWNED the stage. I wasn't the slightest bit nervous, and I'm quite amazed at that, believe you me! I made eye contact with many of the audience, and I had the biggest smile on my face the whole time. Not only did I look like I was having a great time, I WAS having a great time! The next NSV is my costume... my top was a crop tant top that I've added bead work too to make it sparkle. But the important part of that sentence is CROP TOP! Yes, that's right, I was wearing a belly shirt on stage, exposing my ample belly to the public, with my surgery scars clearly visible! And I did it on purpose! Okay, this next one isn't an NSV, not really, and it properly goes on the "Skniny Bitches" thread, but here it is We had just come off stage after doing our two numbers and we were all still amped up on adrenalline. We were talking about how we had done, bla bla bla. A group of ballet dancers were there, I mean, right there and one of the skinny blond said to another skinny blond the snottiest comment I've heard in a long time. Okay, all the ballet dancers were skinny blonds, but that's besides the point. She said, in a loud voice "well, at least we weren't shaking our Bon-Bons." In the snottiest possible voice mind you. So, I simply said, with sugar in my voice, "well that's because you can't shake your Bon-Bon." And then I smiled so sweetly at her. (then she said that I was probably right, and the group of them walked away) So, I suppose that makes me a fat bitch, but I just decided that I wasn't in the mood to take crap from anyone. So, the next part of the Bellydancing NSV is that I'll be dancing againg tonight at a local restaurant, and yes, I'll be dancing for tips, so Big Paul, you'd better leave now so you get here in time, and yes, you'll probably need to take out a second mortgage So, finally, I'm doing this when I weigh 240 pound and not waiting until I get closer to goal. I'm doing this at size 22/24 and not when I get to my goal of 12/14 12/22/05 I'm less invisible. Last year at this same time I felt so invisible when walking through the halls at school. Now guys hold the door open for me, and men and women smile more at me. Perhaps they just needed a couple of years to get used to me, or perhaps I am more self asured and confident. Confidence attracts confidence. This time last year I could not breathe. I was in and out of the hospital and making near daily trips to the ER, having several nebulizer treatments every single day. Since I've been home just about a week, I've used my inhaler much more often than usual of late. I've used it 3 times in a week. This is a weird NSV, but I finally have doctors seriously trying to figure out why I'm not having the sort of weight loss I should. I guess I had to go on the Supermodel Diet for a month before they would take me seriously. 1/4/6 Today I went skiing for the first time in 5 or 6 years! Woot! It was a lot of fun, and I fit into my ski pants from 5 or 6 years ago. I'm so happy! Okay, this was a MAJOR NSV for the DH too because he went skiing too! Spudboy and I had to talk him into it, but he did it! I'm so proud of him! I didn't use my puffer once while skiing, but was wicked cold because my gloves weren't good ski gloves. Oh, and I didn't have a water proof jacket either... So, 3 for the price of one. 1/13/06 I just got back from several days in DC, for a scholarship symposium and job fair. I have a conditional job offer for when I graduate, if I can obtain a security clearance! Woot! That's an NSV, since it would be a major job! I have a whole string of NSVs, the very most important one is that I went to DC WITHOUT AN INHALER. What's more, I didn't even need it. This is super significant because this time last year, and for several years prior, I couldn't go anywhere without at least 2 inhalers on my person. I had an inhaler in every single piece of clothing that had a pocket. Last year this time I had spent 10 days of the Christmas vacation in hospital, don't know how many trips to the various ERs. I didn't even realize that I didn't have an inhaler until the puddle jumper from Salt Lake to Pokey, AFTER my trip was almost done. I was constantly being mistaken for a much younger woman, and when I would talk about my son, people assumed I was talking about a baby or a very small boy. Oh if they only knew! 1/18/06 In class yesterday I realized that my belly wasn't even touching the desk in two of my classes! 2/7/06 I had two NSVs this week. One is that I went to a party where I only knew one person. Big deal? Yup, big deal since I am terrified of groups people. It's not like they are spiders or kittens or something like that, but I have avery difficult time with groups of people I don't know, I'm very shy. (yeah, who would believe that?) But I went to the party, and I was charming and talked to everybody. I don't think my husband would have recognized me.... The other NSV is that I've accepted that I'm not going to lose weight. Not until this Cushing's thing has been addressed or resolved. But because I've accepted it, I don't have to stress over it. I don't have to beat myself up any more. Oh wait, one more NSV, I need to take my watch to the Jewlers to have one of the links removed from the band! 3/5/6 Well, I haven't had that many NSV's lately, or if I have, they have been lost to me. I need links removed from my beautiful watch, and I can wear more of my rings. I have to stop wearing one of my rings because when my fingers get cold (winters in SE ID are COLD!) it flies off my finger! Woot! So, 3 NSVs for Feb 06!

So my girls and I went to LB tonight to check out some new clothes and I could not believe that I was fitting into 18/20 and 22 clothes. I started this journey in size 34. I have lost over 60 pounds so far and boy what a difference. I came home and tried on some of the new pants for my husband and his reaction was priceless. "wow, now there's the butt I remember". Thought I was going to pee my pants from laughing so hard. Best day ever!