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KarenK, that is awesome!!:thumbup: NSV's are sometimes better than when the scales says you lost, but you do see any outward change!! I recently fit into an XXL shirt I bought at Costco...in fact, it was loose and comfortable. That's the first time I've been able to buy a clothing item not from a B&T store!! Keep it up!!:cheers2:

Thanks for the birthday wishes...I lost in spite of the birthday cake! (and threw out the leftovers--NSV for me!) Dh got me a heart rate monitor for my birthday and I'm excited to try it out. We've got lots of snow and ice here...stay safe everyone! ~~anne

I know this doesn't have much to do with wardrobe advice- but I just wanted to say I am so darn proud of you @@Inner Surfer Girl!! Getting back into the workplace is a huge change and I know you will be successful. It's a NSV!!

Okay, I have to give a shout out for my newest NSV!!!!! I have never been in favor of exercise (my favorite Bible verse is "Bodily exercise profiteth little..." lol - not really!) But, at 2 years out things have to step up to keep my new body/health in check. So I bought a bike and started riding several days a week 2-3 miles and today, I DID A WHOLE 30 MINUTES ON THE ELLIPTICAL! Now, that is BIG for me! ha! Anyway, I have seen a real change just by increasing exercise and lowering carbs. Fight the good fight, 50's!!!! Peace.

@@LisaMergs, You did awesome! Great job on a last-minute fast food choice! It definitely wasn’t the healthiest possible food in the world, but it was an excellent choice given the circumstances. You got some Protein and kept the calories and carbs in check. Nobody is perfect, and lessons like this are great. They show that you can still come out on top even if you make mistakes, such as in this case not planning ahead and having your own food with you, and not checking the nutrition facts before ordering. Good work! I agree with @@Inner Surfer Girl that most fast food restaurants have reasonable options as long as you stop and think. Grilled chicken, eggs, side salads, and small burgers are usually possibilities – just skip the bread. Also, sides of fresh fruit including apple slices or yogurt are often available. In general, I think it’s good to have some idea of what to order at some of the major fast food restaurants just in case you end up there. I always try to know what my choices are at McDonald’s, Subway, and Starbucks since I figure there is almost sure to be one of those restaurants no matter where I am. I don’t tend to beat myself up over nutrition. I generally prefer healthy foods, and I know that even if I have some junk occasionally, I know that my diet is overall pretty healthy. Anyway, good choice, and thanks for sharing your NSV!

I know I am crossing over onto a sleeve sight but I have seen this NSV before but have no idea what it means...please help me out will ya?

Great news! I have some NSV's to share 1. my replacement wedding band no longer fits, but I'm still holding out for the big one, so this will have to do for now 2. My BMI dropped from 42 to 39.5. I'm still Morbidly obese, but hey, at least its coming down! 3. My fasting blood sugar usually runs 100-110. It's been 89! 4. I kinda sorta in a way can see my waist now! Thats always exciting! 5. I have so much more energy!! It's 3 AM and I'm up and ready for the day. Insomnia you say? Maybe, but at least I'm energetic!! I've discovered a strength this week that I didn't know I had. I'm learning patience, perserverance, but most of all I'm learning to step outside of myself. I read Holly's blog (300 pounds gone, check it out, I love her writing) a couple of weeks ago, and she challenged her readers to help themselves by helping others. I may have paraphrased that all wrong, but that is the message I got out of it. Each of us is so caught up in the scale, the NSV's, our pain and suffering, that our focus is internal. I'm working on remembering to pull myself out of my own head and reach out to others. It's been fulfilling to give encouragement without expecting any in return This surgery is not only good for the physical aspect of ourselves, but also the mental and spiritual. Then again, it is what you make it. Have a great week everyone!!

Mago look at these numbers......78 pounds gone...that is how many 10 pound sacks of potatoes......almost 8. Can you carry 8 bags of potatoes. To reach your goal you have about 8 bags of potatoes to put down. How are you going to put the rest of the bags down........... Tell me where can I go to read about all of your NSV's because you are over 40 inches smaller....? Your bandiversary is coming up in a matter of about 2 months......can we make that a nice 95 pounds gone?

NSV - (non scale victory) for the first time in I can't even remember how many years - I was able to trim my own toe nails, with a regular toe nail trimmer. Sounds silly, but made me feel great. Had been paying the doc to do it.

Well I am late to the party here but... Congratulations. We go into this with high hopes and expectations... But like me I kept it in the back of my mind that it may not happen like I hoped... Well it does for the most part and you have done a fabulous job. The best NSV's are the ones you listed about medication and how much your life has improved. I am sure you will make many more discoveries in the next year to come. Once again congrats and it's stories like yours that give all new bandsters hope

Karen: Congratulations! Enjoy your pregnancy...it's a great time! Deb: My sympathies on your dad's passing...and big smack of bad karma to the jackass who broke into your house! Lynn: Love the NSV (re: recuperation time). They just keep coming! Woohoo! Crystal: How are you doing with the 'hunger' control? Not much new going on here. Just trying to tweak my WOE so that it's working at optimum to control my blood sugar levels. For any diabetics here, I highly recommend Dr. Bernstein's "Diabetic Solution". His solution for diabetics (Type 1 or 2) is similar to what Atkins recommends for everyone, although there are some slightly different things because Bernstein's goal is to get consistently 'normal' blood sugar readings for both Type 1 and 2 diabetics. So goodbye my lovely tomatoes...which I could have on Atkins but can't according to Bernstein. For the anti-Atkins (low carb, high fat) folks, Bernstein does a much better job at showing and explaining the science behind why fat is not the problem than Atkins did. I'm debating about visiting my folks this weekend, but good grief it's more complicated when you have to pack up and take food as well. We'll see if I have the mental energy for that much pre-planning. Have a good one! .

About 7 mos ago before I was banded I bought about $100 worth of bras from Lane Bryant....Now that I have been banded for about 6 mos none of them fit! That is a wonderful NSV but really expensive too boot....

The little things are sometimes the sweetest NSV's!!! Today I painted my toenails and it was sooo much easier to reach and bend. I had been struggling with back pain as well, and found it hard to walk a long way. But my back is great now!!

Thanks so much! Its nice to know that there are others with the same fear. I know I don't want to be this size forever especially if I want to get a new kidney and have a life again. I can't wait to have my own NSV to post lol

Yay!! I love the reference to an anthropologie project! That's what this is! We're unearthing all those hidden treasures in our bodies. I'm starting to see my collar bones. That's one of those NSVs that I've been anticipating so much!!

What a terrific NSV! Congratulations!

Hi Everyone! I'm still lingering in the 171 pound region, haven't broken through that plateau. Good news is that I have had major NSVs instead, and it helps me know I'm doing something right. I'm wearing my size 10 abercrombie and fitch jeans and my medium uniform pants. Everyone noticed my uniform pants! I was worried they were too tight but my girlfriend at work said they fit great. I really wish I could break 171. Been stuck here for a while. Guess it is time to step up my exercise game. Hoping for you all to be healing, losing & winning! Kate

It's really unbelievable, and I am still having this weird out of body experience... Last night my husband and I went to visit a friend who just had a baby. We took lots of photos of each of us holding her, and then this morning, he posted all the photos on Facebook. I have never, and I mean NEVER, in my entire life, looked at a photo of myself and thought I looked skinny. And I know in person I don't look skinny--I mean, I'm 5'2" and a size 14--But these photos! I just can't get over it!!! I look almost gaunt! Bony cheekbones, no hint of a double chin, indents in my neck, sharply edged shoulders, small arms... WHO IS THIS PERSON???? It's so weird!!!!!!!!!!!

Foofy! I would kill for this last pound but for goodness sake it just won't drop off my body. How can 90lbs be so freaking easy and this last 10lbs take over 2 months. It is alright though because I have come along way. I just started water aerobics about 3 weeks ago and I love it. I am feeling it in my clothes. I am also lifting weights 2 days per week and water aerobics 3 days a week. I take the weekends off because I work at my store. I have found that eating is more difficult since my last fill. I have to be very careful or I am in major pain. This band is very finnicky and when I think I have figured it out it throws me another curve ball. The batteries went dead on my scale yesterday so I haven't been able to weigh myself. I am getting one tomorrow so I hope this dang pound is gone. I just want to hit 100lbs and be done with it. After that I have only one more goal to get to my wedding weight of 220lbs. At the rate that I am going it will be freaking next year before that happens but you know this is a lifestyle change and I have the rest of my life to lose it. By the way, you doing great. I love seeing you slow losers losing...you may surpass Archer and me at anytime now. By the way, the size 22's fit. I haven't seen size 22 in 14 years; since prior to my oldest son's birth. Wow that is a really long time. I just keep focusing on the NSV's that I am having with this 99lb loss so far and it really helps. Keep up the great work and thanks for asking. Cindy

I had to share this with all of you. I happened upon it (in a blog) and it was just what I needed to read. "What a year. I now weigh 90lbs less than I did when I started this journey at my consultation, 75bs less than when I had surgery. For those doing the math, that averages to just under 1.5lbs a week - slow losing IS STILL LOSING. That is probably my biggest piece of advice to remember, and surely advice I need to remind myself of. Even if you lose a small amount, week after week, when you don’t give up, those small numbers turn in to big ones. I had lost more most weeks I was on weight watchers. But I never stayed on a diet before. ...To think that one year later, I’ve done it. Sure I am not at my ideal weight by my nor my doctor’s standards, I’m so freaking close. I’m close enough that I get to- shop at any store I am fit. Or Phit, rather. I work out a minimum of eight hours a week, and I love every moment of it. I love that last night I did 144 push-ups - real perfect push ups. I couldn’t do five when I started seeing Julie in September. I struggle a lot still with loving my body - I struggle to see how different it is and how much closer to ideal than not it is. But after a workout, when my muscles burn and my hair is matted down with sweat, I love my body because it is strong and it is powerful. I didn’t start working out seriously until about six months post-op, for whatever reason it took that long for it to click with me. For those waiting for that moment, it will come, I truly believe that everyone can love exercise if they find the right workout, and in my lucky case, trainer for them. It is hard to say how much this surgery and losing weight has changed my life. In many ways I have not changed at all, and in others, I am becoming the person who I always hoped I could be. I am accomplishing the thing I knew I never could, and doing that is beyond empowering. I am more settled in myself, I can let my whole self just exist and not worry quite as much as to what I’m projecting. I am so grateful for the band... And so incredibly grateful to all of you for the support you’ve given me. I could never have come as far as I have without the support I get from my friends online, as well as a select few in my real life and my family. No one without the band can understand what we go through - the highs and the lows, the stucks to the the elation at experiencing a huge NSV. I have come so far in my first year with the band, and am so grateful that I get to spend the rest of my life with it. "

#14. Biggest NSV so far, being able to walk some place and go for group walks with the fam and not be the last person in the group (necessarily), or limit the excursion cuz of what I can or can't do! #15. Will be taken Thursday = next day I wear real clothes, do mah hair and make-up. Yes...why yess I am THAT person who works from home and in the winter wheres pjs, screwed up hair and no make-up for days and days. Ok wait! I found one from our Fatsgiving field trip to the state capital! Yeeeehaaawwww!

I feel naked when I don't have it on. Another NSV-- I have officially went from the larger strap to the "normal" sized strap for my arm! Hooray!

Weigh-in last night and this past week I've lost 6 POUNDS!!! NSV-I went jogging last night and as I was putting on my fanny pack, it wouldn't fit so I adjusted the straps as much as I could til I finally had to take the extender off. I have never worn that fanny pack without the extender and I don't need it anymore!!! It makes me feel like I'm practically a normal size person. I know it sounds silly, but I am proud!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Hi all. Well I haven't weighed myself latley, will probably do so tomorrow. I also haven't been keeping track of calories the past few days because I wanted to focus more on eating and getting food and stuff in me and just resting and healing. But I am starting to feel better! I don't think that counts as a NSV since it isn't really related to weight loss directly, but I'm sure happy about it. A couple of days ago I had some chopped beef brisquet for dinner. It was yummy. Then when DH was eyeing my left overs (I always have plenty these days) I told him not to touch them cause that was going to be dinner for the next day. So he started mumbling about how he needs to start ordering more so he will have left overs too. The past couple of days I've been on a cold cereal kick for some reason. It just sounded really good. So I ate some cap n crunch. Then I remembered I had some healthier stuff like grape nuts and kashi. And cold cereal goes down well! I can eat a whole bowl of that stuff. I was surprised because once I wasn't even full after eating a bowl. Shocked is more like it. So I was thinking to myself that maybe I was starting to lose some of my restriction since it seemed like I was eating more of stuff. Then today for lunch I decided to have a burger- a fastfood one since DH picked one up (he worked from home yesterday so he gets to be a bum today I guess). I got a angus burger for burger king, with cheese, but no mayo. Took the top bun off because all that bread is just too filling. So I ate half the burger (no fries- I don't have room for fries!) and then massive PB, evil golfball feeling. Even half a burger with just half a bun was too much I guess. So I suppose my restriction is still pretty good. Cold cereal and stuff like that just slide on down apparently! So I guess I should stick to my oatmeal-- that stuff is sticky. Eitherway right now I am not that concerned about gaining a few pounds. I know that sounds strange and I don't want to gain weight in general, but I feel that I need to focus on just healing now and getting better and making sure I eat. (sometimes its easier to not eat esp if I wait too long and then I feel nauseated and won't want too, etc) Then once I feel stronger and so forth I get back in the saddle, so to speak and refocus on the specifics of the foods and calories. I'd just been feeling so very tired rundown sick plus I feel like I've had great weight loss so right now the numbers aren't my focus. I am sorting through some old clothes I have though- keep, give away, throw out. The keep clothes I am then going to sort by size so when I do go down a size I can just go to the right pile instead of having to sort through all of them. My size 22 jeans are just too big on me! I can take them off without unfastening them! That is a good NSV I think. I hope everyone else is doing well! Keep up the good work!

I was sleeved on June 9th. I was 239 on surgery day, but my high weight was 244. I weigh 212 as of this morning. Nausea is gone. food is simply fuel, and I don't (often) think of it as my best buddy. That said, I do sometimes miss how it feels to tuck in to a hot hoggie. I bought one for my husband the other day, and pulled out three slices of sliced meat and a bit of melted cheese. It satisfied the craving and I did not feel deprived. I take Biotin and Vitamin D along with my multi vitamin daily. I have an antacid to take with meals. I still get tired from time to time, but know I just need to rest when my body tells me to. No dragon breath yet. I'm wondering when ketosis will kick in. To keep active, I've been doing a lot of yard work and household chores along with walking. I will join the gym this fall when school starts. My husband tells me I no longer snore. My first NSV! Stepping way out of my comfort zone, I booked my first ever massage for July 29th. I've always been too self-conscious to do it before, but now I figure - get over it!~ I'm really looking forward to it.