Search the Community

In the last couple weeks I've had two NSV's- one was pretty amusing and the other kinda made/makes me sad. The amusing one was when a male friend of my husband and I came by unexpectedly. He didn't know I'd had surgery and hasn't seen me in about a year. (I'm about 8.5 months out of surgery and down 107 pounds, only 18 pounds from my goal weight.) He was shocked and thrilled at my progress. He was over for a couple of hours and probably hugged me 7 times and commented positively on my appearance just as many times, even using the phrase "you're so hot". (He's a bit brash, but this did not come from a disrespectful place, and neither my husband nor I took it that way. Obviously, I secretly loved it... who doesn't wanna be hot?!) ) Because he's a good friend of ours, my husband didn't seem bothered by any of this. But that's not the NSV... the NSV came later that evening when my husband asked about my wedding set. I've been ring-less for a few weeks because they are so large that they literally fall off my hand and aren't safe to wear anymore. After all of the attention from our friend, my husband was suddenly very concerned about my walking around "looking single". The real NSV was seeing him concerned about whether or not someone might try to snap me up. Not gonna lie- I've been riding that high for a while now! The one making me kinda sad was an NSV I had never even thought of before. I was obese for over 15 years, and many people in my life today (including my husband) have never known me any other way. In the last couple of weeks I've taken a few group pictures for a variety of reasons, and each time someone has asked "what's your side"? (This is a reference to my "good side", which is a thing among women where they prefer to be photographed from a particular side that they deem to be their best look.) I've heard other women reference it or rearrange themselves in photos to catch "their side", and it occurred to me that nobody has ever asked me that in the last 15+ years. Not one single time. Now it seems to be a regular question, and it makes me a little sad... was I, like, a lost cause before? I wasn't attractive enough to have a "side"? Like, it didn't matter how you photographed me, it was going to be equally unattractive from any angle? Ultimately, it doesn't matter because I look different now and this is my new normal, but it brought to light that unconscious bias that people have about obese people... we are inherently unattractive... even if we're not. I'm not quasimodo... I'm an average looking woman, and have always been so- even when I was obese. But apparently I wasn't seen that way, and something about that makes me bummed when I think about it.

Great NSV Trish! I think you weight loss has been wonderful. You neeed to get out that old photo of you & take a closer look- I bet you see it! Way to go on the over 30 pounds & even more on the GREAT size loss! Congrats girlie!!!

It's Teressa! Hurray! So proud of you for getting your degree, excellent work missy! And I wouldn't call it "just maintaining" when you have such stress going on, that's a definate NSV! Woot! I think you are thinking of www.fitday.com but there is another newer site that many people really like, http://sparkpeople.com/ too. Congrats, and welcome back!

Happy for you... I'm sure you felt great after you saw you fit!! GREAT NSV

Measure yourself and notice if your clothes are getting looser. Those things count more than that darned scale anyway! I've been "stalled" on the scale since mid-January, except for a 1 pound loss last week. However, I've lost two pants sizes and I can see and feel the muscles in my arms and thighs! I even got a comment from a customer today on how muscular my arms look! (Posting that one in the NSV Shout-outs in a minute!) Don't let the scale run your life and, at just about 3 weeks out, EVERYONE stalls. Keep drinking your Water, adding in your Protein and do NOT let this get you down. You WILL continue to lose, and at an astounding rate! Good luck!

Update: I came back from Cuba last week and hopped on the scale right away! Lol! I ended up losing 3lbs which I’m lucky because I’m still in the honeymoon phase. There wasn’t much choices when it came to food. Breakfast was great as I had omelettes everyday. Lunch and dinner were another story. I tried to eat the grilled meats whenever I could but most of the times, I ended up with the prepared stews. It was way too salty and fatty. I had hotdog sandwiches and fries more times than I’d like to admit. I’m lucky that I didn’t get sick and just got right back to my plan when I came back. I did splurge with a couple virgin mojitos and brought my Splenda to replace the sugar. Mostly I just asked for ice water and used my crystal light or nestea zero. NSV - it was so nice to wear shorts for the first time...I actually enjoyed the heat this time around instead of dread it. On top of that, I did not need a seatbelt extender AND the airplane tray also went down all the way without hitting my belly. I was never able to rest my drink on the table before and would always use my kid’s tray!!! Life is great 😄

I started my journey at 268 lbs and today I am 170 lbs. my survey was 9/11/14. It has been awesome. My energy level. My ability to just move. Yesterday I went to Old navy and tried on a size 12 pair of jeans and they were to big. I am happy to say. I walked out with the size 10. I have never been able to fit a size 10. My next NSV will be running the Susan Koman 5k here in Philadelphia this Mother's Day. I thank God everyday for giving me the courage to decide to have this surgery.

That's so exciting, congratulations! This is a great NSV! I'm only a couple months out from surgery, but this is something I'm looking forward to. I have a trip to Disney planned in October so I'll be 6 months out. I'm hoping my hips won't need to squish between the arm rests!

Hi Guys, I wanted to share a huge NSV for me today. I spent the day with my 14 year old son at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. We had a wonderful time. I was able to ride on all the rides with him. This has been a long journey for me. I'm down 78 lbs from my high 2 years ago. And while I was just banded last June and I'm down 52 lbs I really would like to lose another 50 this year. Its been really hard on me and I just pray I can continue to grow in this journey. I started to exercise again this week in the hopes of continuing to lose the weight. I know how you all feel when I tell you how much it means to me to no longer use a seat belt extender, walk 2 on a treadmill or not be able to ride an amusement park ride. I can honestly say I am happy to report I can do all 3 now. Julie

This is a big NSV I'm hoping for! I've been thinking about it for months. I have to renew my license on my birthday this year (March 7th) and I'm 22 pounds from the weight on there now. I want to be at that weight when I renew in a few months. I'm 6 months out and have slowed to an average of 10-11 lbs/month so I'm going to be cutting it close but I'm really hoping!

You are aces!!!! NSV's you/we love to cherish each one!!!! Macy's, Old Navy now that's what i'm talking about great accomplishment with your weight 70 lbs in 5 1/2 months no wonder i've been seeing "less and less" of you WooHoo Party Dance, Party Dance keep up the good job kathy congrats

Amazing! So exciting for you:) Congratulations on all of the wonderful NSV's and you look great!

ONEderful news! Love your NSV too CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!

Actually, I think you had two NSV's there. One for choosing the walk over the food and the other for not killing your husband.:phanvan

Glad you are feeling better and I can completely see how you would consider it an NSV. I had a similar experience when I was in a car accident in December. Wasn't self-conscious about my weight when bystanders and EMTs tended to me.

Nothing's up with that Janice. A half pound is just a good dump away. Sorry for being crude but it could be anything...your tom, a full colon, too much salt last night...anything. Take it from someone who's been at this for a while...stay off the scale. It will drive you crazy. If you are being compliant, you don't need to weigh yourself very often. Pay attention to how your clothes are fitting or other NSVs. They're better than any number for sure. I list my stats just for informational purposes but I never weighed myself more than once a week even when I needed to get to 200 lbs. in order to have my hip replacement surgery. I've lost more than 140 lbs. and never lost more than 3 lbs. in a single week. It will come off, I promise. Follow your doctor's protocol and you will be fine. Good luck to you.

I'd say that's a NSV!!! :-) Woohooo!!

Congrats you look great! That is on my NSV list once I get there. Keep up the good work!

Yesterday I did 20 min of cardio (10 bike, 10 elliptical) and all the weight machines. The girl at the gym "pushed" me, so I got a great workout. Tonight, I did 40 min of cardio (10 bike, 20 elliptical, 10 treadmill at an incline). Still eating very healthy and small amounts. I've been seeing a bunch of people I know at the gym, so that's been cool. Mostly work people. I'm going again tomorrow and I want to do Zumba again on Sunday. NSV: I wore a green suit that I haven't been able to wear in a long time and got tons of compliments at work!

Save your lists! Hang them where you can see them and use them as a way to measure your success! All your NSV's (non scale victories) will be a better measure of success than the number on the scale. Check off each one as you reach it and CELEBRATE each one because it's YOUR hard work and sacrifice that made you successful. Look at your list when you hit a plateau to remind yourself of why you're doing this and how far you've come. The scale is just a number - the things you achieve are your LIFE! :-)

:dance: Well, I got me an NSV :clap2: that I've been working for 3 years to get up to and that is this. Today, I took myself outside and planned on just mowing a bit of my yard. Well, I wound up spending 4 hrs out there solid getting it! :whoo: :whoo: :whoo: I mowed my entire yard all by myself! I didn't have to quit and rest and I didn't ever feel faint or heck, I don't think I even really broke a sweat! I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF! Remember, I"m a girl, but not only am I a girl. I am a girl who has nearly died from a pulmonary embolism:faint: . I'm also a girl who has spent the last 3 years working up from 10 minutes on a treadmill and hurting so bad I thought I might not make it out of a mall because my feet and legs were killing me. :help: This day has been probably the most amazing I've had since being banded. I am alive, but more than that, I AM ALIVE!!!! And for this, I owe all the glory to God who strengthens me and who has seen fit to restore my health for His purpose. Amen!!

Okay, it seems I have been inducted into the Slow Losers Club. Odd, but I guess it's true. I haven't been all that worried about being a slow loser, as long as I am losing. But, my stats speak for me, especially considering I lost 15 pounds in 12 days post-surgery and nothing more for 3 months. So, sigh, here I am. I haven't been a good NSV keeper. I will do my best to keep track and post them here. But I'm hoping they'll have to kick me out of the club, since I really really like seeing the scale move I can cross my legs now. It's easier if I am sitting back or lounging, but if I'm sitting up and scootch sideways a bit onto one hip, I can comfortably cross. WOW! My shirts are just too big. I go to put one on and I'm choosing the smallest one I have because all that extra fabric bugs me. Time to shop, but the budget prevents it right now. I'll do it, really! I need new bras. Forget the fact that the ones I have are stretched and old and ragged, they are too big! The girls just hang, I have no good support with them, and I look bustier than I really am unless I have the Body Dysmorphic Disorder thing going on about my chest size. Some of my bras are 40D's, some are 38D's, a couple are 40C's. I think I need 38, maybe 36D's? I can't imagine needing a 36C but it's possible? Anyhow, time to shop. I got a hair cut and can't keep my hubby from chasing me around. Wait, is that the new 'do or an NSV? Friends at church compliment me just about every week, tell me how good I'm looking and what a difference they can see. Yay! My undies are a little baggy in the butt. Sigh. There goes more money. I sleep better, don't snore anymore, and rolls in the hay with hubby are no longer uncomfortable...I can breathe when I'm laying down!!!! My new pants, something I actually shopped for, are size 18-20W and they are loose. Not baggy yet, but loose. My panni is shrinking a little. It's still there, the overhang above my C-sect scar, and it still looks terribly ugly and it's still in the way, but it's smaller. I even bothered to shave the bikini area the other day. I could almost see it!! My slide on shoes slide off if I'm not careful. My feet have shrunk/shrank (which is it?). I used to trudge up the stairs, but now I can walk right up. If I have my slippers on at home and need to go upstairs, I take them off and almost jog up. Okay, that's it for now. I'll post more as they happen and I promise to do a better job of paying attention to them. Slow Losers...I did it! I posted NSV's!!!!!

AMEN! :amen: "for His purpose" being the operative words. His plans are sooo much better for us than anything we could dream up. And sometimes His plans aren't for something as Grand as we'd like to dream up. Sometimes it's the love of everyday life that is so fullfilling and keeps us going, knowing that we are living His purpose. THAT'S THE GOOD STUFF!!!!! You need to start your very own "Lethal Woman's NSV List" Not that I mind you posting here...you deserve your own thread!!! That is wonderful and so empowering, Leatha! You go, girl!

Excellent Ms. Vicky! Now, you go and start your own NSV Tracking Thread so that your NSVs don't get lost. It is so very important to keep track of them. They are what give shape and color to your scale victories!

Leatha, Youve given me a lump in my throat. That has to be one the most moving post Ive ever read. No joking. When we learn to give God the glory (not ourselves) ~ all of our struggles become so meaningful! Im so happy I could just squeeze you! And Im with Kathy - you are too popular of a bandster to be hiding in Kathy's thread! You deserve you own NSV thread.