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Honestly, my NSVs come when I turn down bread, but that doesn't really count because I can't eat the bread anyway. I've never been really tempted by candy or sweets.

Hi, everyone. My board usage has been very sporadic of late because I am studying for an exam for a higher credential. And the studying has been so rewarding in and of itself that I am now planning to go back to school for another master's degree! The plans are a little vague of yet. I know I wouldn't have done either of these things pre-band. I've been eligible to take this exam for 14 years, but I never had the ambition, the vision, or the confidence to do so. Losing weight with the band has allowed me to re-discover my strengths. And I always thought I was too lazy to go back to school, but I realize I wasn't too lazy, only too tired. The band has given me so much more energy. And just to top it off: I bought new clothes and I bought a pair of XL pants - not a 1,2,3, or4 X, but an XL - in a regular store! I'm so amazed. So anyway, if my posts are more now-and-then for a while, I know you'll understand. It's just me, living my brand new life. But I do miss all your posts. I feel like I know so many of you. I'm still getting used to the new board format. Why is there a red dot by my name? Nancy

NSV's??? What is that? I am measuring consistently. I feel I am losing inches as my pants are fitting looser and I have dropped a bra size already...that is all good. I am keeping the positive attitude!!!! Thank you!

At my meetings I start my logging on to LBT, then I go to the New Posts list, and start reading...hehe, not what you wanted, right? Gaining control of the meeting...take a list of requests for topics, come to a consensus about the topic for the next meeting. Make sure there is "open question" time at the end of each meeting. If someone tries to go off topic, write it down for the list of "open" items at the end. If everyone wants to drop the meeting topic and move on, do it. Let the participants have the control, you just direct the time, provide the structure, be the "orchestra" conductor. Have a pre-made list of on-topic questions to ask to get people talking? Or, okay, I'm brewing now. Say the meeting is an hour and a half. Fifteen min for greetings, intro of topic, reminders, etc, then a half hour for topic, half hour for off-topic, and the last 15 min for NSV's, funny personal stories related to being banded, etc. Know what I mean? Is that what you had in mind? Hope that helps.

oh awesome congrats I am so happy for you and I cant wait to have those NSV myself after I get approved for the band.

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:

I am a very A type personality and have been obsessed with making sure I do everything the right way. Between this site and sparkpeople.com, I kept track of every tiny little thing. I do believe this is important, but I am an all or nothing kind of gal and have a tendency to go overboard. I was working out 5 hours a week and eating between 600-900 calories daily as my NUT recommended. I had lost something along the lines of 2 lbs in 3 weeks, and although I was losing, needless to say, I was rather frustrated. Last Saturday, two good friends of mine got married. The next morning, I woke up and left with the family for a 5 day camping trip (which included apartment searching, meeting with my grad advisor etc.) to the beach. I decided that I was going to take the week, not do any more exercise than I would naturally get on a camping trick. Jot down what I ate for when I got home, and just trust my tool. I followed the rules about drinking and listened to my pouch. We carried a lot of proteins but we did eat out 4 times on the trip (everyone who hadn't seen us in a while insisted on taking us somewhere). When I went somewhere, I didn't order what I used to, even though it was vacation, I paid attention to my new lifestyle. I moved food around a lot on my plate and pawned lots of stuff off on my husband (who still managed to lose some weight on this trip). The only junk I ate during the trip was a smore I made when we did a midnight camp fire on the beach. I felt a little guilty, but allowed the feeling to pass. I also found out that I get very frustrated when I cannot snack and drive. It is the first time since surgery that I had to give myself an attitude adjustment about food. I felt successful when I couldn't get snacking out of my head, and literally purchased and apple (which was a major NSV because I was completely pleased and satisfied). I stopped eating when I felt full, ate slow, kept people distracted from my intake with conversation and did my best not to obsess. The results: When I weighed myself this morning, I found that I had lost 4 lbs in 5 days! I used my log to plug everything in to sparkpeople and found that I was managing about 1200 calories a day (all those times we had to go out). I found that when we did have to go to a place that was not so healthy, listening to my pouch and making smart diet choices led to a 300-350 calorie meal, vs the 2000-4000 that I could have easily consumed at a restaurant before!! What did I miss the most? Vegetables! I knew I needed my protein, so I got them whenever I could. However getting veggies in while camping can be quite difficult. I learned so much on this trip and need to keep reminding myself to just listen to my body. It knows exactly what it needs!

That's a great NSV!!!

Thank you Dave, was wondering the same thing. Now I'm longing for NSV of my own. Wanna

Non scale Victory. When something good happens that isn't about what the scale says. Things like compliments from others, fitting into an airline seat, crossing your legs without cutting off circulation, sitting comfortably at a restaurant booth, and such. NSV's happen when you least expect them, but they really make you feel good. Dave

What's an NSV?

scale sudoku BP Getting rid of stuff that I don't need (clothes too - NSV).Anything that just add clutter (books, VHS tapes, knick knacks, extra bedding, extra plates/pots/pans). Its like extreme spring cleaning - simplifying my house - is my excuse!

That's a great NSV!! I am really liking clothes shopping these days, although I'm trying to hold out on big purchases until I hit goal or lower.

It's hard to choose rewards because they so often require spending money, which is tight in our household. So far I've only set two: 241, which was the weight I was when I started my most successful diet in my life (Atkins). I was 23. For that, I will reward myself with a new haircut (which I desperately need). Next one after that is 212, which was what I got to when I got bored with Atkins and quit. That was what I weighed when I met my partner 10+ years ago. Not sure what I'll do then to Celebrate. Of course, there's always "onderland"... I think it's probably important to celebrate goals and NSVs, but I'm still trying to figure out how to do that without it involving food or too much money. I'm curious to hear what others say!

Congrats Terry, great NSV!

HA! Mine did the same thing. The more you lose the lower things go, including scars. A friend of mine was banded a couple of weeks ago and I commented to the doc that her scars are soooo much higher than mine. He smiled and said mine used to be that high too. ;o) It's a good thing, consider it a NSV~

I vote don't weigh. It will save you a lot of stress. Better yet, you won't even know if you have a stall or not. You can concentrate on drinking, getting in Protein and making healthy food choices. Judge your success by how your clothes fit and NSV's. F... K the numbers on the scale. I don't even own a scale. I weighed myself at the doctors office maybe 4 times in the first 2 months. After 4 months, I have stepped on the scale at work about once a week so I have something to post on my ticker. And I've always lost weight whether a I weigh myself or not.

Just had a minor emergency in my neighborhood. I pulled on a pair of jeans and ran out to help. It wasn't until later that I realized I was comfortably wearing jeans from my "too tight" pile. Great feeling!

Funny story I got pulled over and the cop asked.. well how much do you weigh? because clearly you don't weigh 280 lbs he handed me my license told me to have a new picture taken and let me off with a warning.. NSV for sure

Since I was sleeved 4/3 and have lost 39# so far ..I went way back into my closet..just to try on some clothes that I thought may fit. Of course I thought they were the same size I have always wore for the past 7 years....I tried them on and was pleased...yes these fit...but to my surprise..they are a size smaller!!!!!!!! I realized I have not worn these since my daughter was born 11 years ago!!!!! Thank you my lovely sleeve ..I am feeling better everyday! LoL..I always knew I would get bak into them!

So I finally got a chance to sit down and watch my DVRed episode of The Biggest Loser finale. I have to say, for a show that promotes losing weight and getting in shape, they make you sit in front of the TV for an awfully long time to find out who won. That aside, those contestants are damn motivational. Seriously, Mike lost over 200 lbs in 6 months, and that 64 year old guy who won the at home prize lost nearly as much and he was only on the Ranch for 2 weeks. If these guys can do it without surgery, surely I can be as successful with the help of my new, super, duper band. Personally, I wanted Tara to win. I think because I related the most to her. Sure, she’s a little younger than me, but only by 4 years. We’re still both in our twenties—the prime of our lives. She’s my height and was close to my weight when she started out—her just under 300lbs and me just over. She never fell below the dreaded yellow line and she won challenge after challenge. She was truly a force to be reckoned with. I hope that I can be half as successful as she has been. And speaking of the challenges, I come to the real point of this blog. By week 11, the remaining contestants were all confronted with a true test of how far they’d come in less than 3 months—they ran a half-marathon. Then, 2 months later they were faced with a doubly difficult challenge—a full marathon. Every remaining player completed a full 26.2 miles, even Ron—the 54 year old father with a multitude of health problems. If they can accomplish such a feat, in such a short time, I certainly can as well. And so I will. I have set a goal for myself. We all look for those NSVs that keep us motivated, and so I am setting myself a NSG—non scale goal. I am going to run a half marathon. A little bit of research on my part has informed me that there is one in Queens on September 20th and another in the Hamptons on September 26th. I will be at one of those two races and I will make it to the finish line.

Per request (LOL)... I've attached pictures from last night's event (I don't know how to make them small.. SORRY)... I had sooo much fun!!! These are my NSVs from last night... My dress is 3 sizes smaller that what I would have purchased in November!! I did not struggle to put on "cheap" pantyhose for the first time in my life!!! I bought them from Walgreens.. 3 bucks!!! Not 20!!! I wore my heels for over 6 hours... (They are too big... they 2" peep toe slings... in the last hole!!) I wasn't dropped off at the door, we parked towards the back of this huge lot and I walked to the place and then to the car afterwards I was complimented all night about my dress and personality... I didn't try to diminish it or find something wrong with myself... Is said Thank You and kept is moving (this is HUGE for me!!) The photographer there told my BFF, "This girl is something else I was okay w/ not choosing to eat what was placed before me.. The conversation and interaction was so engaging, that I literally forgot to eat... (I did have fish and broccoli) I saw my WL doctor, my surgeon and nurse practitioner... They all talked about how good I looked and that I look happy... This encouraged me a lot.. I've been struggling w/ submitting to the journey and not trying to win a race!! It was nice to see a lot of people from my support group.. And to just enjoy the evening... I'm looking forward to next year's Dinner/Dance so I can take plenty of comparison shots!!!! Thanks guys for all of your support and encouragement.. I truly appreciate it!!

Last time I wore this dress, I looked about 6 months pregnant... today, there's just a bit of muffin-top! = )

owww what a looovely family!!! and you all look so happy!! im so happy for you Diane! thats a huge NSV i was with my mom yesterday and i did pedicure and skin pilling for her :nono: i love being her slave! she deserves it!