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LOl, great NSV. I find myself having those light bulb moments all the time! Congrats!

Went to a casino here in SoCal to celebrate my birthday, 3 months sleeved (and saved!) and found out they were giving away free plush bathrobes -- OSFM (one-size-fits-most). Normally I wouldn't have bothered to even try one on, but guess what: it fit! With room to spare! LOVING my post-sleeved life.

When was your surgery date? How long has it taken you? That is AWESOME!! What a VICTORY. Congrats on your NSV and on being an inspiration to others. :clap2:

I was such a scardy cat, I didn't start taking big drinks of fluid until I read on this site that other people were having no difficulties with it. Low and behold, I didn't have any pain. Thank God I can finally get enough fluids in.... This is a NSV!

Truthfully, I could care less if I'm a slow loser or a fast loser, so long as I'm a loser (of weight, that is)! I started at a 53 BMI, and I've lost 81 pounds in 4.5 months. IMO, that's the perfect rate of weight loss for ME. One thing about losing slowly is that it gives your skin more of an opportunity to rebound so you will hopefully have less loose skin when you get to goal. Losing slowly also means you are probably losing more fat than muscle, which is great! Less muscle to have to rebuild. And, numbers on the scale do NOT tell the whole story. I look for the NSVs or non scale victories. Are my pants looser? Can I walk further, do more, do I have more energy? All of those things add up, not just the pounds lost according to the scale. If you look through the gallery, ANY gallery, you'll see people who are 172 pounds that wear a size zero and people who weigh 172 who are a size 10. The differences are in height and muscle tone, usually. So the scale doesn't tell the whole story. Muscle does weigh more than fat. Muscle also helps us burn fat, so building strong muscles is important. I stall when I work out, then a few pounds will whoosh off in a day or two. But, when I work out, I lose inches. By doing basic workouts, walking, bicycle, light weight lifting, I have lost two pants sizes in the last three weeks. I also haven't lost an ounce in over a week. Am I worried? Nope. I keep eating my Protein, drinking my Water, and working out. The weight loss will happen, but I want to be a solidly built 170, not a flabby 170. The bonus of working out is the energy boost. IMO, everything looks better when you get that serotonin boost from working out and, BELIEVE ME, I can use that energy boost right now!

I'm a size 22 now. Surgery scheduled for 2/20. I bought a pair of size 16 jeans to stare at in the closet. They are my future NSV. Lol

oooh, I love NSVs!!! I have a few too! 3. walked into a restaurant (that I go to all the time!!!) where a cute waiter says, I know you look familiar, but I dont know where I know I know you from!, then as I leave, he tells me to come back and see him again soon. And I am married!! Ha!! But it still feels good. 2. got rid of all my size 16 pants, and fitting comfortably into size 14. I have 1 pair of size 12, but I still think they are a bit snug. 1. I can take the stairs at work and not be huffing and puffing when I get to the third floor!! Keep up the great work everyone!

Im not anywhere near goal, but pretty darn happy with my progress! Stats: lost 36 lbs, then measured, and couldnt belive..... Lost in inches: 2 off chin 1 off neck 6 off stomach 6 off waist 1 1/2 off ea thigh 1 1/2 off ea calf 8 off back/bust (ladies it was back not boobies!!) 3 off rump Measurements made my day!! Nsvs: Told twice this week to buy new work clothes, they are falling off!!! The up and down look I get from people that I know notice but dont say anything. My rings are falling off where as before I couldnt take them off. My new confidence!! Icing on the cake: more to lose, its only the beginning...it can only get better and I cant wait!!!

LilMissDiva posted a boot camp in Post Op Questions that you might want to try. It involves going back to basics in order to jump start weight loss again. Of course, you need to determine if you are really in a stall, or if you are losing inches instead of pounds right now. Every time I "stall", I start looking for the NSV's. I dropped 10 pounds almost overnight about 10 days ago, and haven't lost an ounce since. However, I've dropped another pants size and I'm seeing the results in my waist and hips. I've upped my workouts a bit, added more Water and am staying strict on eating my Protein. However, I don't really consider this a stall because I'm visibly losing inches. If you haven't measured yet, this would be a good time to do so. Then you have something to compare it to if/when you "stall" again. Good luck with your journey!

COngrats! I'm looking forward to a similar NSV....the steering wheel not touching my tummy! ))

Probably a little weird NSV, but I get such satisfaction over being able to take one hand and in a claw like manner hold my other wrist touching with my thumb and middle finger with a little room to spare. I also like touching my collar bone being able to feel bone. No, I'm not anything close to underweight, it's just that it was covered up by so much fat before, it's nice to see the new "me" emerging. Something fun is I'm taking a day trip tomorrow and have realized that the jean pile I went through over Christmas to change out the original fat jeans to the not so fat jeans, that now some of those are too baggy. I don't like tight jeans, but hate baggy jeans. So, I now have a new pile of jeans that don't fit. I'm wearing a pretty solid size 10 now which is awesome! I still have my brand new size 6 and 4/5 jeans from my last journey nearly 14 yrs ago that I fell short by 20 or 30#. I'm happy with my progress, but will be doing the HUGE happy dance if I'm able to fit into those babies! Oh, and one more since you guys brought up grocery store stuff. I was at Walmart last week getting a few things. I was in the soda row trying to get some liters of Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry which was on the top shelf and all the ones at the front were gone. I couldn't reach the ones in back and some guy noticed I was struggling and he says, "here, let me throw you up there to reach those". I about did a double take to see who he was talking to. "THROW me up there?" I couldn't look that thin, not yet for someone to even suggest that. Talk about make my day!! :Banane55:

GREAT JOB!! I love NSVs related to my butt size!! We have an overstuffed chair in our living room and me and my husband (he's got a skinny, bony butt!) can now sit comfortably in it together and snuggle.

Yay!! LOVE those NSVs!!!

I can finally fit my bum in the bucket seat of our new car. Well we bought it brand new a year ago. My butt was so wide that it didn't fit within the curvature of the fancy leather seats. Also the seat belt latch would dig into my hip. I am 2.5 months postop, have lost 45lbs and 2 inches off my bum/ hips area. I am thrilled! My hubbub drives that car regularly so I haven't sat in the seat in about a month. My usual driver is a trailblazer and I have always had plenty of butt room in there. Oh and another NSV is when I sit in our recliner I have space on each side of me. Love it!

NSV for me was being able to go clothes shopping and actually buy something without getting depressed or crying because I felt so bad about myself. On the contrary, I was exstatic to be able to fit into the Misses section instead of Plus Size. The scale wasn't relating the change and I was getting down on myself. But having to try on a smaller size instead of the other way around, just made my day. I couldn't stop smiling. What a great feeling. The other one would be when the nurse at my primary care physicians office told me they would need to get a new picture for my file since I look nothing like the one they have.

Love to hear these NSVs!. I think it's easy to get focused on that number on the scale which can lead to discouragement. I am struggleing to get back on track after some regain, going for 3 good days in a row. Hopefully some NSV's to come soon!

I had a great NSV this week. My PCP lowered my blood pressure meds. Then today i went for a fill, and the nurse there took my blood pressure and said, it is probably time to see your PCP about lowering your blood pressure meds. I told her I already did that this week, and she was amazed that my blood pressure was perfect.

Ok. Number ONE NSV: Now weigh less then my hubby. TWO: Hours of fun sliding my buttoned pants down over my hips. THREE: Went into Victoria Secerts and fit in something right off the shelf - a 38DD, but didn't buy because I didn't want it to be too big next month. (was a 42DDD/44DD). FOUR: Got rid of bags of clothing that was too big- all my size 22, and 2x and 3x's. FIVE: The size 18 jeans I bought two weeks ago are loose! Put on a new pair size 16 jeans! I could zip them while standing up, even breath and move in them-no problem. and SIX: A friend of mine since kindergarden came over last weekend and said ' you are full of energy, I haven't seen you like this in years"

Yea NSV!!!!!

I think my favorite nsv was seeing my ex at a party and then all his friends who used to say how fat I was, come up and tell me how good I looked. I just smiled, thanked them and told them loud enough so he could hear too that it was only going to get better.

Hi all! Ive seen people posting about non-scale victories, and just wanted to have a post where people can shout out about their NSV's! My Top 5 NSV's so far are............drumroll please 5. Being able to bend over to tie my shoe to walk. (Me and walking USED to be an oxymoron!) 4. Being motivated to walk at the mall. 3. Having more energy in general. 2. Not having my wedding ring cut off my circulation, it actually spins around on my finger now! and my number 1 NSV so far to date...... 1. Sitting down to go potty and realizing I just pulled my scrub pants down AND THEY WERE TIED!!!!!!!!

Hello Blog Land! I've missed you so. Its been weeks since my last confession blog. Before Christmas I weighed in at 178lbs. This morning I weighed in at 177.2lbs. Yesterday I celebrated my 1 year bandiversary. It has been tough but easy, emotional but encouraging and certainly up and down, roundabout journey! I wouldn't change a thing. I am satisfied with my progress with eating and exercising. Coming to terms with the denial that I was living in has been tough but if there is anyway to sum it up: **** happened - not happens. I am in control of me and my choices. Bring it on! Maybe in 2012 I will hit the 100lbs lost mark. If not, I am cool with whatever happens as long as I continue to challenge myself, get more fit and never look back! I have attempted to blog a few times over the last few weeks so bear with me as I compile them all here and start with a clean new slate in 2012 and start my 2nd year of being banded. Things over the Holidays were a little nutty but fantastic nonetheless. I spent time with family and had the Mother-In-Law staying with us for a few weeks too. All in all I have to say that I did pretty good over the holidays. New Years Day breakfast consisted of nachos that I didn't fire off for the party we hosted for our friends and framily but that was a small blip in the radar. I did have a few too many drinks the one night but kept the snacking and drinking to a minimal over the Holidays. The biggest difference for me was the way I piled my plate at the festive meals. All of what seemed like 10 of them! I did take more then I intended to eat. I would say that on average, my meals were less than half of the size that they were last year. I was left feeling like I didn't really put in allot of effort to make this happen and totally reassured that I have made some concrete lifestyle changes that really are just natural to me now. It has gotten easier and I hope that it will continue to happen until I get to where I want to be. I still have no restriction. AWKWARD FRAMILY PHOTOS! I love my besties! Looking back on 2011, I really am so proud of the NSV's and the SV's! I started 2011 @ 222lbs. In all, I lost 44lbs last year and 85lbs in total. Here are some of my fav NSV's from 2011. I can sit comfortably in a plane seat with a dangling seat-belt! Usually every time we go to Newfoundland, I like to take a hike at Cape Spear. The furthest Eastern Part of North America. Many times I would stop halfway to the lighthouse to catch my breathe or baby my burning legs from the hike. This year, I jogged part way up and finished the rest of the hike without a single wheeze! I felt like I could have easily done it again... and again. lol I have gone from a size 20 jean to a 12/10. I finally got my vessel (body) gussied up with a completed ladies of the family tribute tattoo on my arm. I will actually wear sleeveless tops these days despite my wrinkly batwings. I can hold a plank for 60 seconds! A long time goal that I met in 2011. I can shop for clothing at the regular size stores. H&M, Espirit, MEXX... A far cry from the frumpy florals at Addition Elle and Penningtons! I bought a pair of mid-calf high boots. My calves have NEVER fit in to cute boots! Still not in to the knee high boots yet but I feel that they lead people to believe that you have some sass. I am not ready to let people in on that yet. lol. Ladies who rock them, I envy you! They look great with your cute little jeans all tucked in! A goal for 2012. So much to be thankful for! 2011 brought me a husband! Okay fine, I've had him for 8 years but now that it is official, there is a sort of "honeymoon" stage that came along with the wedding. The "honeymoon" stage in my world is coming home to an empty dishwasher and sometimes even a crumbless counter. WOOT WOOT! I finally am feeling like our home is homey. When we moved in to the 4 bedroom house from the 600 sq/ft condo it was really empty and echoey here. It felt cold and sanitary. ICK. I painted the kitchen last January and with some additions of plants, art and us finally adding some shelves and accessories to the bedroom, I am pretty darn comfy here! I did attempt to get back to blogging last week and started with this: 2012 has started on a rough note. My 90 year old Grandfather had his leg amputated on December 30th due to complications from diabetes. He has been fighting this disease and the associated complications for many many years. His fight was a major reason that I started my WL journey. Because of his age he was not put out. He was given an epidural of sorts and remained awake while they removed his right leg just below the knee. Our entire family packed the hospital waiting room and banded together to support him and the tough decision that he had made. We waited a couple of hours and were met by the surgeon to inform us that he had made it through surgery like a champion! We all took turns going on to visit him after the surgery and when my sister and I got our chance we didn't hold back. My Grandfather is a sweet, gentle giant. I swear, his index finger is the size of a banana! Okay, not that big... and really he isn't that tall when I come to think of it. Regardless, he always seemed like a giant to me. Anyway, he is TOUGH. Tough as nails. After surgery, my sister and I wanted to congratulate him for being so tough. He tried to argue with us as he cried, mourning the loss of his leg and the normal appearance that he has had for 90 years. All I could tell him was that after being married to my Grandmother for 65 years, he is tough! He laughed. We hugged him and told him how proud of him we were and left the hospital feeling confident that he would pull through. 2 days later, pneumonia set in. His speech started to slur. We suspected mini strokes that were never confirmed. Slowly, as they removed a direct line for pain from his stump and pushed med after med to deal with constipation, pain and infection his health declined. Yesterday morning, after spending the extremely rough night with him (my sobbing-self and incredible Aunt stayed all night) my Grandmother came to spend the day (like everyday since) beside his bed holding his hand. All she could do yesterday was hold him and cry. Through my own tears, I tried to picture them on their wedding day. Holding each others same hands as they were now. Did they ever think about the things that they would go through together. Did they know that they would face challenges like this? Did my Grandmother know that she would have to live without him one day? Or did they both deny it to themselves? Now, being newly married myself, I got home late from a work meeting last night and crawled in to bed with the fast asleep Mister. All I could think about when I looked at him was a whirl of life. What would it look like for us and would I be holding his hand like my Grandmother held my Grandfathers this morning one day? Would I have to live without him or vice versa one day? Without a doubt, I know that my Mister is the one for me and that all of these things, good and bad, are coming for us. I am not afraid... as long as I can hold his hand. Grandpa has gone back to our hometown hospital late last night via ambulance. He has been unresponsive since he arrived but he is comfortably resting and not in pain. A few hours after I wrote this I closed it and headed off to an evening meeting. While I was at work the hubby got the call from my Dad. He waited for me to get settled in at home and to have a little snuggle session (I had been go go go without time for this fav pastime with my man over the last few weeks) before he told me that my Grandfather had passed away. I was relieved. I was sad. I was worried about my Grandmother and my Dad and the rest of our family that depended on our patriarch to bond the family with a gentle noble mischievous hand. We will miss him terribly. Celebrating the 64th Anniversary - May 2011 I am promising myself for 2012 that I will not put off until tomorrow, what can be done today (except for work). I will try to do all of the things that I want to do and do nothing that I don't want to do. I will try to keep the big picture in my mind through all that I do. I will continue on with my healthy lifestyle. Mind, Body and Spirit. Love life peeps!

251 day of surgery, 12/19/2011, and 232 now. Best NSV was trying on a dress from the back of my closet that had always been too small and zipping it up with ease... It is a size 16!!! Down from mostly 22's. Scale is stalled, so NSV's rock! Kimmie

Riss you are so beautiful, too! And size 16s? That would be heaven. I can't imagine. I am in size 20's now, though, down from 24s and 26s, so that is pretty awesome. Last Chance Sue -- that is so awesome-- wearing the jeans again! Woohoo! My favorite NSVs: 1. Being able to wear my wedding rings I haven't worn in 10 years (guess I lost weight in my fingers first...LOL) 2. Shopping for a transitional wardrobe at an upscale thrift shop, and being able to buy all "normal" brands rather than just Lane Bryant brands and the such. Still plus size, sure, but before I was beyond the sizes that regular brands make. 3. Less to no pain in my knees going upstairs!