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OK - I am sure this will sound strange, but in 1982 I visited Ireland with my parents when I was just 16 years old. I bought a beautiful cardigan Irish fisherman's knit sweater -- you know the type - cream with the elaborate stitching pattern. It was expensive even back then, probably $125.00, but it really was a nice sweater. I probably wore it for 6 years or so before I "outgrew" it, but I always took good care of it and it is still in great perfect condition. Anyway, I haven't been able to wear it for years, but I could never part with it - it brought back a lot of memories. Well, you guessed it, I dug the sweater out the other night and it fits! It will look even better when I lose a few more pounds, but it is definitely wearable and it is such a great, concrete sign of the progress I've made. It's a great feeling, but also a little bittersweet, I keep thinking of my late wife and wonder what she would say if she could see me now as I am starting to look more and more like the guy she fell in love with. Brian

Congrats! That's a great NSV! That's how I felt the first time I was able to slide (that's right I said slide as opposed to squeeze) in a booth at my favorite restaurant.

Congratulations!! That's a great NSV!

I am not sure when I will quit thinking I am fat. When I was in our pool with my son and he was think of a name for me I was so scared...he came up with "Pretty Shark"..you know I was thinking he was going to say..pretty whale! I don't think I could of taken it if he would of called me a whale even though he is only 3. I also only weigh 149 lbs now..yeah!! but in my mind I still see the old me and I still don't like mirrors either. Anyway, congrats on all of your NSVs and btw I celebrate losing ounces...so keep dancing away your 2 lbs.

Those are some awesome NSVs. I think it's awesome that you're doing a 5K. I see lots of people doing that, and I really want to try the couch to 5k, but I think I better get in a little better shape before I do. And what a great feeling to fit into those jeans! I can't wait to see the before and during photos. Way to go!

(X-posted, sorry for the repetition if anyone read this elsewhere!) Very early in this process for me, there was a thread here as well as another forum asking people what their goals were, what they looked forward to and hoped to achieve with their weight loss. The last few days have been awesome for me! One of my biggest goals initially was to run a 5K by late summer/early fall. I've never been a good runner at all, even in my late teens/early 20s when I was otherwise in the best shape of my life. I've run a mile... one time. Now I'm doing Couch to 5K, and Saturday I ran 25 minutes AND hit two miles. That's twice as long as I've ever run in my entire life, ever. That alone put me on cloud nine, but then we got together with some old high school friends of mine that night and the compliments were wonderful and we had just a fantastic time. Monday I ran 28 minutes, and today made 31 minutes for 2.4 miles. I've jumped the gun a little bit and registered me and my hubby for my first 5K .... a week from Saturday, on the 25th!! And I've had tons of OMG! moments throughout this thing, but today's the first one that made me cry. I have held on to a pair of jeans that I wore before I got pregnant with my son (who's 21 1/2 now), for that many years. They're the smallest ones I ever had as an adult, a size 12 which translates to about a 10 by today's sizing. They're high-waisted, pleated, peg-legged and acid washed, and I knew I'd never wear them in public again, but kept them all these years for that "someday" when I'd be able to put them on again. They've gone from California to Michigan to New York to Michigan to Florida and back to Michigan again with me, always hanging in my closet just waiting for me to get my sh*t together and finally lose the weight (which of course, just kept piling on). The waist looks so tiny, I couldn't even remember being that small. Today I was trying to find a pair of jeans that wasn't too baggy or too tight, and just for the heck of it I pulled out those things to see if I could even get them over my butt yet. Before surgery, I couldn't even get them past mid-thigh. I was in the middle of telling my husband exactly that -- "Before, I couldn't even get...." --and one leg was in. Then the other leg was in and the damn things pulled up all the way... and I burst into tears. They buttoned and zipped (had to lay on the bed to do that LOL!) but they WENT ON! And I just cried, and he almost did too seeing me so happy and proud of myself. It was an amazing moment. The day of the 5K, the 25th, will also be my 8 month surgiversary and I VOW to take pics and put some before-and-durings up. I actually have a before pic of me with those jeans pulled up to mid-thigh, as far as they'd go at the time. Just had to share the most thrilling days of this whole thing for me so far! :thumbup:

You seem to really read my mind! I notice that, when I am not with a group of people even for a day, they always ask how I'm doing. If I say too much I get the "eyes glazing over" situation as well. I'm going to try to follow your lead. Congrats on your NSVs! I know it might be hard for you to see, but you aren't fat anymore! At all!!!

I have been so excited over the last few days with my renewed committment. That is great! However, with my new excitement, I have been talking about it A LOT and I noticed that a friend of mine's eyes started to glaze over a bit. HA!! I'm not at all upset because she is SUPER supportive, but it does tell me that I need to close my mouth and show...not tell. :thumbup: That is what my blog is for!! My fill went well yesterday. I typically go to the fill doctor, but yesterday my surgeon was the fill doctor. He did a great job! He told me that I looked very close to my sweet spot and he only added 1/10 cc. I told him that is what the other doc added last time and it really made a difference for about 7 weeks, then it just seemed to drop off. He is quite concerned about over-filling and I appreciate that. I told him I have been having acid reflux at night due to my allergies and I think that added to his concern. Hopefully this darn ragweed will go away soon and I can get back to normal. He also told me that I will not need to get a COMPLETE UNFILL for my tonsillectomy. His first reaction was that I wouldn't need to get any taken out, but then he thought about it a few seconds and said that I probably should, but half would be appropriate. That sounds good to me! It is always interesting to me to listen to the other people getting adjusted. Fills at my doc are cattle calls. We are given time frames and then first come, first served. We are checked in and moved to a holding area where we wait for the procedure then return to that area post-procedure to drink water. I like the system and it gives people a chance to discuss the band with otheres. Kind of a mini support group... I really do try not to judge, but it amazes me how differently people approach this process. There was a very sweet girl talking about eating dinner rolls at a restaurant and knowing it will make her sick and she says that she still does it. Over and over. She said that she has a love affair with food. She also says that she doesn't exercise, but I can't remember if she said why. It made me a little sad because if getting sick or having physical pain isn't a deterrant to bad choices, then I think she is going to have a really tough time. She is a super pretty girl that has about 150 pounds to lose. I truly hope she finds a good support group and something that can help her move forward. My scale was down 2.2 pounds this morning. I know that isn't REAL weight loss for one day, but I don't care. Today, I'm going to strut around like I'm 2 pounds lighter!! HA! I have on a sassy White House/Black Market shirt that I bought several years ago when I was last small. I think it looks really nice! Yesterday, I had two NSV moments. (They sure do seem to be flying at me from everywhere at the moment!!) First, I was talking to a friend (who also struggles with weight, but not nearly to the extent that I have) here just about everything. I told her that I'm just giddy from feeling so good the last few days. I feel like I have gotten a TON of compliments and things just feel so awesome. She said that she thinks that I crossed the threshhold from being fat to being "normal". I think she might be right. For a long while there, I was losing weight and it was noticable (and great!) But going from a size 24 to a size 18, while absolutely EXCELLENT is not something that is really understood by "skinny" minded people. Now that I have moved into "normal" range clothing (even though I'm still a fat person in my head), people see me as "normal" and that they recognize. Does that make sense? I think it will take a long time for me to adjust my thinking as I discussed in my entry yesterday. But I get that other people may not need that time to adjust. The second NSV...I was walking out of work yesterday afternoon. As you go out to the parking garage from my building, there is a wall of mirrors that you face as you turn a corner. For so long, I would cringe or avoid looking at that wall of mirrors. Yesterday, I looked right at myself and I didn't cringe. I have a long way to go before I think I'm hot (ha!), but it is so lovely to be able to not hate my reflection.

This is my first NSV I've posted, but I had 2 in one day on Monday. First, before surgery I was a sweets-aholic. No chocolate was safe in my presence. I devoured candy bars like they were evil demons that must be demolished as quickly as possible. Since surgery, I was afraid to have anything like that around. My 7-year old, though, wanted some Reese's pb cups at the grocery store. He likes to buy Lunchables just for the treats, but never eats them, so we made a deal that he could get the candy, but no Lunchables, and he only gets them after he eats a decent meal. So, we've had them sitting in the fridge for about 2 weeks, and I haven't touched them. I haven't really even thought about them until I realized how amazing that was. Second, I was at work, wearing my smallest pair of scrubs (which are still huge, but the smallest that I own right now), and a co-worker said, "Wow, your scrubs are getting really big on you. How much have you lost?" The scale has been a little slow these past few days, so it was really nice to hear. Yay for NSVs!

What a wonderful gift you have been given ... the support and love of your family. MAJOR NSV if you ask me.

Whoo hooo!!! You go! I think both of those are AMAZING NSVs! Two that I hope to accomplish in the next few months. Awesome job!:thumbup::thumbup:

Thinking it would be nice to hear some non-scale victories. Lets look at what we've gained as we've lost. Mine are: 4 garbage bags of clothes for my sister. Off all my weight related meds (diebetes, high cholesteral, high blood pressure). Able to run/walk on the treadmill Lots more energy across the day- no more naps! More self-confidence Buying new clothes Getting compliments left and right Lets hear yours!

I don't know which NSV I am more thrilled with, for you, LOL!!!! They are both great....Congratulations!!!!! Mimi

Ok....so my scale seems to love the number it is on...won't let go of it....So I decided to post 2 non scale victories I have had this week....(work with me people!:thumbup: 1. I got on size 14 pants this week....this was my goal for fall...they are too tight to wear in public but I got them up and buttoned them! 2. I ran for 30 minutes straight on the treadmill yesterday....this seemed impossible to do even a month ago... Now please, mr. scale....start moving! WTH?

Welcome back Melody. It is so lage because the surgeon only does these procedures on one particular day. They originally were trying to get approval for port revision back in August, but insurance was giving them a hard time. Frankly I was bummed that I was finally getting a fill for Phil and he decides to flip--I was in no hurry. Congrats on the NSV. Yeah Stacie--not being overweight is huge--no pun intended:) Denise--hang in there. Hopefully your Dottie--you have a hard decision. I guess I would just go ahead just to be done where I could finally just concentrating on being healthy

Welcome to band Elfie. I feel your pain! After voluntary unfill #1 followed by emergency unfil #2, I have not lost a thing, but consider it a great success that I haven't gained anything either. Plus, I've been a lazy slug so I don't particularly deserve to lose anything recently. So congrats on the NSV and on not gaining! Denise, ewww, ewww, and ewww, but congrats ont he unexpected funds, woohoo! My son's first soccer game of the season was this morning. After standing in the rain for 45 minutes and getting miserably soggy, we had 2 players and no one from the other team showed up so home we came. Yuck! Now I'm sitting here watching the grass grow, I swear you can actually see it it's growing so fast since it rained, and thinking "crap, now I have to mow again".

Wow! we all seem to be losing about the same, mine has slowed way down too but I'm ok with that. I finally quit the pork rinds and that helped. I have kept up all my protein and vitamins so I don't understand the hair loss BUT love the new shorter cut. My stylist says I'm trendy...lol guess thats a nsv coz I've never been trendy before. Breezy you motivate me to exercise so think I'll order zumba,sick of the treadmill.

Good morning my fellow banders! The weather here is gorgeous...and has been for the last week. Typical fall weather and no humidity! I feel human for the first time in months! I went in for my fill this morning and was surprised that they wanted to give me 1cc to take me up to 7cc. Apparently, based on their records, I was having no problems before at 7cc and, since I said I'm slipping further into the darkside, they wanted to get me as close as possible to the sweet spot before I go to Disney. Let me tell you. I can already feel the difference! For the last 7 weeks I've felt like I have a bottomless pit inside me. Not hungry...just never 'content'. Within 15 minutes of that fill, I was and am still (3 hours later) 'content'! I'd forgotten that this is part of what the band does. Their scales confirmed that I have not gained or lost a pound in 7 weeks despite no restriction so at least I'm not playing catchup! With the shopping NSV of yesterday and no longer feeling like I need to fill the pit, I'm extremely motivated. Add to how good this cool weather is making me feel and I think I'm going to go drag my honey out for a walk again today! Have a good one everybody! Melody (ElfiePoo)

What a day! I went shopping for clothes this afternoon and was dreading it. Usually I spend hours and come home with only one or two things that actually fit...and I'm not always thrilled with the material, look, color, etc. but fat people can't be picky. ;-p HUGE HUGE NSV moment. I picked out 5 shirts, two lightweight dress type slacks and a pair of capris in less than 30 minutes. Not only do they all fit beautifully, but I *love* the colors and the way they look on me! <drum roll> Bonus moment...the pants were 14/16 and the shirts were 1X!! Yeah I know they've changed sizing so fat people won't be dismayed at what size they're actually wearing (obviously they think we're stupid too), and I'm guessing the 14/16 pants were actually 18/20 but I haven't worn an 18 since high school!! Actually the only reason I think I can now is because I've lost the oversized hips and butt that I've carried for most of my adult life. Going from a size 26/28 to a 14/16 and a 3x to a 1x made my day! I am so *high* right now! Think I'll go drag my honey out for a nice fall walk! .

Congratulations! I had an interview last week and found a skirt in my closet (Talbot's) that I forgot I had; though it would not have fit before. So a similar NSV. When I moved 3 years ago I gave away all my skinny clothes from the last time I lost weight. I did not want to pay to move/store them. This skirt and several other items were with clean Dry Cleaning clothes in the coat closet and thus got moved.

So proud of you. I can relate. I had my surgery in Feb 10 and in Oct 09 I took a trip to Playa del Carmen and we did the hiking, biking, caving, zip gliding thing. OMG it was a nightmare the pictures are so awful. Flash forward to this weekend we went out to the lake and I tubed with a friend and had a blast and then easily lifted my butt out of the lake with the little boat ladder. A year ago my ass would have been hot in the boat all day rather than in and out. B/c I surely could not have done that. I even tubed with my 3 yo. YEAH NSVs!

Pamela...lol NSV stands for Non Scale Victory. And hell yes you want some!

Congrats! I hate to sound stupid, but what does NSV stand for? Thanks for bringing me up to speed! Whatever it is, it sounds like I want one. . .LOL!

That is an awesome NSV! Thanks for sharing.

YAY!! I love NSV's! You're still trucking right along.....keep up the good work!