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OMG! I am waiting for that NSV. I'm so tired of having to get my hubby to look down there to see if I shaved good or when I get a hair bump lol

You have to remember, everyone is differnt. And looking at it this way-you've lost 14 pounds in 4 weeks! Thats 14lbs that you've said good-bye to. Be proud of what you've lost and don't be discouraged-everyone loses differently, and you still need to figure out how your body is going to deal with these changes. You're only a couple weeks out. Sometimes you'll feel like you've lost, but the scale will refuse to move. Look for the NSV's. I had a period of time where I didn't lose for 3 months-I even gained some back! But during that time I dropped another pants size. Your body will go through phases where you don't lose, and it will drive you nuts, but it's just how your body is going to work. And remember, it's a learning process

well today I woke up with a horroble sinus infection....and all I wanted to do was lay there and sleep. today was weigh in day so I stripped and stepped on the scale and it read 199.3!!! woohoo! so I preceeded to get on my workout clothes and tennidls shoes and did my normal 2 hour workout. now, I will admit I walked my 30 minutes on the treadmill instead of my normal jog/sprint. as I sit here drinking my hot tea watching trashy reality tv, not feeling well at all...i'm proud of myslef and feel good that I still worked out....and that I'm in ONEDERLAND!!!! :smile:

So, I traveled to Italy with my husband and younger college daughter, meeting my older college daughter there after her semester abroad in Madrid. Today is the second day. I decided to start a thread for this because I'm so unbelievably happy with all the changes in my life so far that are making this trip truly one in a lifetime. I also wanted to not hijack the NSV thread because I have so much to be happy about, and this trip will be for two weeks! Before I departed Chicago, I was 9 weeks postop and 4 weeks after my first band fill. I had dropped 55 pounds from my high weight in February. I was 302 then and 247 now. I was nervous about flying, and my new band being too tight during the flight. My first happy moment was fitting in the seat without a seatbelt extender and actually having to pull it tighter! I dreamed of that and it happened. Second was the in flight meal. I didn't plan to eat because I was afraid of tightness due to swelling during flight, but I was pretty hungry and decided to try very carefully. It was fine. I ate very slowly and chewed very thoroughly. I also drank tomato juice, Water and tea on the plane and kept my liquids up. My younger daughter decided she was going to help me by sharing meals with me over the next two weeks so that I didn't overdo it. So our first airport food was shared between connecting flights and it was enough. A little Chinese beef for me and beef and rice for her. After we landed the next day in Rome and found our luggage, our older daughter met us at Arrivals. She put her arms all the way around me and told me I was "tiny". I haven't seen her in over 5-1/2 months since she took a semester abroad. It was wonderful to see her again. Off to Rome from the Italian terminal. From there a train to florence. Between the Chicago, Dublin and Rome airports, and then walking about two miles over cobblestones with all of our luggage to our Florence hotel, I walked more than I have in years. I was tired and sore but not the least bit out of breath. I was so happy about not being winded that I decided not to strangle our travel agent who told us it was "a few blocks" away and not worth a taxi. Then a lovely dinner in our hotel, which I was able to eat about half of. I've never left delicious food on a plate in a foreign country until now. It was incredible. Today we awoke to realize my phone alarm didn't ring and wake us up like I'd planned, so my family went downstairs to have the continental Breakfast in a hurry while I dressed and had an powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein shake. I'm so glad I brought the to-go packets. Off to the first activity of our trip -- a 3 hour walking tour of Florence. How can I describe what it feels like to be able to walk for three hours (plus the 30 minutes returning to our hotel because they don't return you to the starting spot) and stand and walk without stopping to sit, when six months before this, walking to the church a block from my house made my back ache and my chest heave so much that I always felt I was a heart attack waiting to happen? Not once did I get winded today. My feet are damned sore but that's from the cobblestones. My back does not ache. My arthritic knee started to complain in the final hour, but not all day. We stopped at a little restaurant and I had a delightful lunch of roasted cheese and vegetables and a glass of wine with my teen daughters. That was a new experience for all of us! Needless to say, they love Europe! Then we stopped for gelato at a recommended spot and I did not order the large, or the medium, or the small. I ordered the "tiny", in keeping with my new identity. It was about 1/4 cup of chocolate hazelnut heaven. And it was enough!! Back to the hotel and into the bath. Deep European tubs -- sinfully decadent! Loving every minute of it. Resting now before a walk tonight and dinner somewhere. Tomorrow is an eleven hour tour of Tuscany by bus and a winery in there somewhere. More to come!

My NSV is that I can once again wear a jacket that hasn't come close to fitting me in 3 years. I am also celebrating that scale is moving again.

Here's hoping the 8th month yields better results than last month. I only lost 2 pounds last month despite making good food choices. I guess you could say I plateaued. I haven't exercised in 3 weeks and hope to get back next week. My blood pressure was too low and causing me to be dizzy. I have been weaning off medication per my doctor's advise. That is one big NSV though since it was my only co-morbidity. I missed my goal of Onderland by 08/01. I am still a little over 4 pounds away. Just so I make it by 09/01. I want to be under 200 when I leave for my cruise at the end of the month. I had my fourth fill this morning. Hopefully this will help too. I have been eating a little too much I think although calories have been between 1000-1100. That's what you get when you are older than dirt, I guess, and a sluggish metabolism. I can't complain though as I am down a total of 131 since I began my wieght loss journey. Keep up the good work, you guys. We are so much better than 8 month ago.

Oh, I know we want instant success. However, comparing the 2 surgeries is like comparing apples to oranges. Our lap band slows the amount of weight loss, for me that is healthier. It didn't come on over night. You can also expect less sagging from the loss. Your skin will have time to catch up with the loss. For so many reasons I chose the band because I wanted a slower loss, you have to weigh the reasons. Remember this is not a competition or a race. It is a journey. Some take a race car, and some will take a horse. We will all meet at the end! Good luck and try to realize the NSVs along the way and try not to focus so much on the scale numbers...

Can I eat (insert food here) after Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy WLS surgery? The answer is... most likely. It's really going to depend on the person and how you have healed. I have not found any food that I could not eat, once I was back on full foods post-op. Surprisingly, the processed foods/snack foods/fast food was the easiest to digest. It was the healthy foods - boneless skinless chicken breasts, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, pineapple, apples and grapes that gave me trouble up until about the 6 month mark. At 9 months post-op, I can eat anything I want with only the occasional stomach growl. The best NSV post-op is that I have not wanted all those processed/fast foods that I craved pre-surgery. I can honestly say that I don't even think about going out for pizza or hamburgers any more. So if you're worried about not being able to eat your favorite foods post-op, you may come to realize that post-op you don't WANT to eat them ever again. :-)

Hey BariatricPal Members! Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to shake off the cobwebs and plan a little spring cleaning. If your diet and exercise routine need a little cleaning up, too, you’re in luck. This newsletter can get you motivated to get back on your feet so you’ll be all set for spring break. Here’s what you’ll find this month. Polls ‘n’ More: Your Opinion Matters Member Spotlight: Meet TheRealMeIsHere! Something to Celebrate in March So, take a few minutes to read the newsletter. Then log on to BariatricPal so you can give your opinions about it and talk about whatever else is on your mind. An army of BariatricPal members is waiting to help you out on your weight loss surgery journey, so don’t be a stranger. Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Polls ‘n’ More: Your Opinion Matters BariatricPal is a pretty busy place, between the polls, other conversations, and member blogs and photo galleries. Not sure where to start? Here are a couple of places where your opinion is especially valuable! Something to Help You Decide About Weight Loss Surgery We asked members about their complications after weight loss surgery, and it turned into a hot topic! This poll may help you make your decision if you’re still up in the air about getting weight loss surgery or if you’re not sure which type is for you. Hint: the answers are pretty encouraging! Interested in answering and reading other members’ answers to more polls? Go to the BariatricPal Polls Forum and chime in! Should BariatricPal Launch an Online Store? BariatricPal is here to help you through your weight loss surgery journey. The social part is a big deal, and that’s what the forums and other parts of the community are for. But the diet is also important, and BariatricPal may be able to help out with that, too. We are thinking about opening an online store to sell bariatric nutritional products at competitive prices. Before we do, we need to know whether you like that idea. Please let us know what you think and give us your suggestions! You can either post on this thread or PM Alex Brecher. Thanks! Insure Nutrition We are always thrilled to welcome a new newsletter sponsor into the BariatricPal family, and this month, Insure Nutrition is giving us the pleasure of doing just that. Our latest sponsor, Insure Nutrition, is an online company that specializes in getting health insurance coverage for nutritional supplements. Its Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition products includes Premier Protein shakes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and OptiSource High Protein drinks in caramel and strawberry flavors. Checking if you are eligible is easy. Insure Nutrition encourages you to use its online form to find out if you qualify. Our sponsors help make BariatricPal newsletters and other services possible. We encourage you show your thanks by considering them first for your bariatric needs. Exciting News – We're welcoming Unjury and Opurity to BariatricPal! BariatricPal is proud and excited to announce two new sponsors for our newsletters. The new sponsors are powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury, a supplier of wonderful tasting, highest quality protein supplements, and Opurity (from the makers of UNJURY), highest purity Vitamin supplements for bariatric surgery patients. Their support lets us keep BariatricPal newsletters coming to you each month. Unjury was founded by a master’s degree dietitian who has been helping patients since 1974. It is committed your health. You know the importance of getting enough protein after weight loss surgery, but you also know that meeting your protein goals can be challenging. Unjury makes your task not just easier but actually enjoyable. Product flavors include Chocolate Splendor, Chocolate Classic, Vanilla, Strawberry Sorbet, chicken Soup Flavor, and Unflavored. These ready-to-use protein powders come in single-serve and multi-serve containers, and contain high-quality whey protein to keep you full and nourished. Launched in 2007, Opurity is dedicated to using the purest ingredients in its supplements. Opurity Bariatric Multivitamins have two unique big advantages: First, each Multivitamin requires only one tablet per day*. Second, Opurity is so dedicated to quality that it is unique in using no ingredients from China. Choose from chewable orange-berry multivitamins for gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients or for lap-band patients.Opurity also sells chewable Calcium, vitamin D and folic acid/vitamin B-12 chewables. All supplements come with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They return policy is: “Yes you can return it.” Support from Unjury and Opurity helps us continue to bring you the services you enjoy on BariatricPal, so please support these two brands! When looking for your bariatric surgery supplements, first visit Unjury.com and Opurity.com. Purchasing from these companies helps support BariatricPal. Thanks to Unjury and Opurity for your generous sponsorship, and thanks to BariatricPal members who support our partnership! *You still need calcium and sublingual B-12. Member Spotlight: Meet The RealMeIsHere! This month’s member spotlight is on TheRealMeIsHere from Ferndale, New York. She spent most of her life bouncing between 115 and 275 pounds. Life was great when she was closer to 115 pounds – she had energy and confidence. At her higher weight, she sat on the couch a lot, drank, ate, and talked on the phone. TheRealMeIsHere was not able to lose weight on healthy diets, and she developed eating disorders. She was anorexic and bulimic at times. When she gained weight, she developed high blood pressure and severe sleep apnea. She stopped breathing nearly 50 times an hour! Her orthopedic conditions kept her in pain and prevented her from moving much, turning it into a vicious cycle. When TheRealMeIsHere got health insurance, she researched weight loss surgery. She chose the gastric sleeve because of its permanence – unlike the lap-band. She also liked the fact that it did not cause malabsorption since she has ulcerative colitis. She got the surgery in 2012, as soon as her insurance covered it. TheRealMeIsHere just had her two-year surgiversary – and what a difference two years makes! She has maintained her weight at 115 pounds. Her sleep apnea and hypertension have diminished, and her energy has exploded. Other great moments have been realizing that she had the ability to get back to the weight she wanted, and getting a panniculectomy/abdominoplasty after reaching goal weight. food does not control her, but she still loves it and is able to enjoy in healthy ways. Instead of acting on every craving, she might make sleeve-friendly versions of her favorites. She loves salads and lean meats, and thinks of cauliflower as the “chameleon” vegetable that “can masquerade as Pasta, pizza crust, bread, or potatoes.” She delights in tricking guests with her healthy dishes. TheRealMeIsHere has figured out how to enjoy restaurant outing within her gastric sleeve diet restrictions. From the beginning, getting enough liquids and protein was difficult. She could not drink much without cramping, and she did not start hitting her 80 daily grams of protein until 18 months post-surgery. Her stomach was so small it was difficult to eat enough, so she had to stick to nothing but high-protein foods. TheRealMeIsHere was definitely grateful to be able to eat salads again! She mostly eats meats and vegetables now, and her sleeve holds about ¾ to 1 cup of food. She found out recently – the hard way – that eating too much still gives her severe diarrhea and cramps. Not worth it! TheRealMeIsHere came to BariatricPal before surgery to see success stories, learn about concerns, and look at pictures. Later, the site helped keep her focused on the goal and get feedback when needed. She also finds it helpful to answer others’ questions. TheRealMeIsHere has some tips for other weight loss surgery patients. Follow your surgeon’s and nutritionist’s guidelines. Keep your carbohydrate intake low. Stay hydrated. Stick with an exercise routine by being specific about your goals. Acknowledge and fix your mistakes. Use the surgery as a tool. Make one small change at a time. Enjoy the journey and the new you! Those are all great pieces of advice, and they are clearly working for TheRealMeIsHere. Congratulations on your weight loss surgery success, and thanks for sharing your story with us! Please let us know in the Member Spotlight Forum if you or someone you know would like to be in the member spotlight. We want to hear from you! You can also send Alex Brecher a PM to nominate yourself or someone else. Something to Celebrate in March In like a lion, out like a lamb. That usually does hold true, but it’s hard to believe that winter will soon be over when it’s been around for so long. Waiting for the sun to come back and the last bits of snow to melt can make March seem dreary, so we wanted to find something to celebrate. What’s special about March? Lots of things, it turns out! Here are just a couple of national food days in March, and some ideas for celebrating them. March 1: National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day Peanut butter…packed with antioxidants, Fiber, healthy fats, and 7 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons. And, of course, with a taste to die for. If you haven’t jumped onto the peanut butter bandwagon yet, this may be a good opportunity for you to do so! Of course, it’s high in calories, with 180, so don’t overindulge! Here are some peanut butter ideas. Make a shake with Protein powder, almond milk, and ice - and you can enjoy this when you’re still on your liquid post-op diet! Eat it with celery sticks or carrot sticks – lap-banders, be careful of the stringy celery and sticky PB. Spread it on a half of a whole-grain, high-fiber English muffin or some whole-wheat crackers. March 19: Poultry Day If you’re a weight loss surgery patient who struggles to get enough protein, you already know that chicken and turkey can bail you out. A 2-ounce serving of white meat has about 13 grams of protein and 60 calories. Vegetarian? Try soy bacon and low-fat vegetarian chicken! Add a serving of poultry morning, noon, and night, and you’ve already got 39 grams compared to the 65 to 80 you need for the day. Try: Turkey bacon with your egg whites for Breakfast. Low-fat white chicken chili with Beans and broccoli for lunch. Turkey roll-ups with low-fat cheese or fat free cream cheese and tomatoes for a snack. Ground chicken burgers in lettuce for dinner. March 28: National Something on a Stick Day You could celebrate this day with traditional fair food…fried Twinkies on a stick, corn dog on a stick, or cheese on a stick. Or, you could celebrate this day with something healthy and fun. The following can keep you on your weight loss surgery diet while you feel like you’re celebrating. Ham and eggs on a stick: Alternate slices of ham or any lean meat with quartered egg whites and cubes of melon. Grilled eggplant on a stick: Slice and salt eggplant, dip in a mixture of low-fat grated parmesan cheese and ground Fiber One Cereal crumbs, skewer the eggplant slices, alternating with low-fat mozzarella cheese, and grill. salad on a stick: Coarsely cut a head of lettuce. On your stick, put pieces of lettuce, grape tomatoes, cucumber slices, grilled chicken or shrimp, and whatever else you like in your salads. To enjoy, dip it in dressing. Of course, you can also celebrate non-food celebrations. For example, mark your calendar for Good Samaritan Day on March 13, and everyone deserves to celebrate National Everything You Do Is Right Day on March 16! And, to be honest, every day is a cause for celebration when you’re getting healthy, whether you’re dancing on the scale or congratulating yourself for a non-scale victory (NSV). Don’t forget to tell us about it at BariatricPal!

So glad to hear that you are doing well, I'm sure the numbers on the scale will be kind but if not look at all of your current NSV's ???????????? I actually weigh myself everyday and use this app to keep the progress. I'm glad that your hernia isn't bothering you this week but so jealous- my hernia repair is awful, I feel like I have acid in my esophagus and I'm having some discomfort but it comes with the territory so I will be patient Yayyy for being able to get away when your hubby chases you- you two sound sooo cute aw thank you! I'm so sorry to hear about the discomfort and acidic feeling you're having! That's got to be aggravating. I have a question. Did your doctor put you on Prilosec at all? My doctor has me start Prilosec one week pre-op and continue until the end of two weeks post-op. I think that's some kind of secret magic key for no acid or something! I've never taken that stuff in my life but he was like take it. Even if you don't have heartburn or discomfort take it - and then he said so many patients won't take it thinking it was options and then they turn up with issues. I took everyday - no issues at all! I hope you feel better soon!

Update! Seems like liquids are finally going down with less of an issue. The hernia repair must be healing. I'm not going to get my hopes up though. I'm not going to consider myself healed until about week 6. I didn't weigh this weekend because I was trying to hold out until I completed my last day on full liquids which is today. I'll post a weight update tomorrow. Seeing 263.6 would be amazing because I was 283.6 morning of surgery on 2/1. Wishful thinking though...we'll see. I've noticed when I've been walking my knees don't bother me, my feet don't hurt, my legs aren't tired....and it's not that it's been a while since I was at my current weight. It hasn't actually. The difference is that I was in the gym everyday hurting myself just to keep my weight here. I would come home every night after working out sore and tired and dragging and just not feeling great at all. I am so excited to know that when I start exercising again (tomorrow) I can do it gradually and easy at first. Speaking of, I really need to make a workout plan - I'll do that tonight before bed. Anyways - NSV's so far: *My face is clearly smaller. *My tight size 16 pants fit easily. *My legs are slimming down. *Compliments. Compliments everywhere I go. Way more than usual. *I can actually get away when my husband chases me around the house now! Cheers!

Well I had my second fill last Wednesday( i think it was) & wow what a difference!!! I mean I will try & explain the sensation compared to my first fill. With the 1st fill (1cc)I could feel restriction BUT would still eat untill I felt full which was when I felt like throwing-up. I mean I ate more than I should because I felt hungry & the only time I didn't feel hunger was when I felt pain. Also I would be hungry about 1 to 2 hour later. Now with the second fill(+.5 total 1.5cc) I actually don't feel like throwing up & feel this satisfaction level unlike anything before. I mean I am literally full in about 3 to 4 bites of pure protein & about 10 bites to 12 of non protein. I am full for HOURS! All liquids I have zero problems with. Its wonderful to feel so full & truely SATISFIED:) NSV- At Boston chicken I ordered a single dinner & could barely eat 1/2. Normally I would have ordered a family dinner & even though it would have served me for several meals - I would have ate enough for 2 or more people. Now the only BAD part is I am not getting in enough calories I think?? Because the scale has not moved at all which is discouraging. I have been getting around 1000 per day & tons of water but no luck in moving the scale. So I guess I need to eat more? at least I think so? Anyone have ANY Ideas??? Anyhow - I just never knew the TOTAL AWE I would feel over this band! I mean I can't believe this feeeling of fullness & satisfaction in such a small amount of food. It really does work!!!

Don't get me wrong...my ego hasn't gotten to the Beyonce "Flawless" stage: I'm flawless...I woke up like this, I woke up like this... Not hardly. I'd also like to add that I've never had a big problem with self esteem, even at my heaviest I felt attractive. I've had my band for about 9 1/2 months now and it has been a great journey to say the least. I enjoy the weight loss with this device and I like the fact that I can go off course, gain a few pounds, give it a day or two and be back to normal. Love it! Anyway, while I've been losing, there are times when I feel like I am "bad built", out of proportion and simply without feminine form. Now that my weight as stabilized, my body no longer has to go through the big top, small bottom - normal - small top, big bottom - normal - big top, small bottom...you know the thing that seems to happen about every 5-7lbs. I haven't lost or gained in about two weeks and as a result my shape is truly starting to show and I love it. I looked in the mirror this morning and said to myself "damn...I'm sexy!" I've done that many times before (you have to give yourself pep talks or no one else will) but this time it wasn't forced and seemed to just slip out. I guess because I truly feel sexy, in a way that I don't think ever have before.

Today my niece told me I couldn't wear the jeans I was wearing anymore, because they were falling off. I put a tighter pair on, and while I was walking with my hands full my pants fell down, literally last my bum. Good nsv.

I too have some people in my life like this. But I try to keep in mind that's it's their body like this is mine. I don't promote the surgery. I let myself be overweight too forever and I didn't want it because of loose skin. I came to the decision in my own time. And I'm quick to remind people asking me about how to lose weight that I'm no expert. I spent years doing all kinds of dieting. I just say that I found something that works for me! That's what everyone needs to do. And when folks start talking about all the 'loose skin' and whatever downsides they can think of...I quickly get on the subject of my now size 10 clothes, bikini and any NSV. Things they certainly can't relate too. It just evens the odds a bit, ya know. (and @her1981...really! she's there taking your old 'fat' clothes and trying to naysay at the same time. You know you feel good about yourself when you don't just go off on people like that. 155lbs gone! you rock!)

WOW... That is one super-duper NSV... and check out that photo... you look seriously strong there! What an amazing achievement at just 5mths out! You don't look like you have EVER been overweight!!

I learned just the other day to begin appreciating the "little" NSV that will happen and you won't even realize it until you do it. For the first time in I can't remember how long, I was actually able to bend over and tie my own shoes. I have worn shoes that slip on for as long as I can remember, but that day I put my sneakers on and tied them myself. I almost cried.

New clothes, new coats, new shoes, cute underwear. Lol. Met my goal last week and need a second job to support my shopping habits. My big goal was to wear a pair of Ms Me jeans. I now have two pair. Bought a new Malibu to celebrate. It's sporty and yes I am one of those "old people" who drive a car that's a little sporty. Now my challenge is to stop losing weight. Harder than I thought it would be! Good luck fellow sleevers on you NSV's.

I'm walking 4 to 5 miles but was able to get in a .25 mile jog with my son running beside me. He's an athlete in great shape it felt so great to run with him. My goal is a mile just one step at a time. Sleeved 2/29 starting weight 242 current weight 215

i would LOVE to get my arms done--i know i will eventually for sure! there swinin' in the breeze now as it is!!!LMAO Codamom do you have pics of before/after? my friend REALLY wants it done and itd be nice to give her an image to go on...plus for me too as well as everyone else im sure!!LOL - If you dont i understand and dont mean to offend in anyway!! but if you do i have to see! p.s.--i think by the time im done i`ll need an "all-over-body-tuck" lol my pore belly is already showing the signs of 50 lbs gone whcih,im NOT complaining btw!!!!LOL p.p.s.-hey what does NSV mean?ive heard it soooo many times!!! sorry,im multi-posting again

Last Sunday I saw one of my mom's good friends, he had not seen me since January of 2011, and I must have been around 360-370 lbs back then. When he saw me he stared at me for a few seconds and told me I was skinny! Never has anyone ever called me skinny, skinny and Paola have never been used in the same sentence. What an awesome feeling! Granted, I am no way near done, but its awesome when you efforts are acknowledged. Thank you Jesus! For I know that without him this would not be possible! I love my sleeve!!

OMG Carrot, check out your ticker! You're down 26 lbs already, I guess that post-op nausea really paid off, LOL! I too look in the mirror and already see a change in my face. I'm down a pants size already and it's only been under 2 weeks since banding for me. But my FACE is starting to look like me already! It's it a cool NSV (non scale victory?) POST your picture Carrot!!

I like the NSV more than the scale, too. The numbers can be too stressful! Yay, you!

COOL! NSV's are the best! Congrats!

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.