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Dini, Let me echo Janet I think it was in saying you are HOT!!!! Wow! I'd like to see a before picture of you, but I mean WOW! To be 24 again!!!! Anyway, I'm still losing, slowly, but surely. My 3rd fill appt keeps getting pushed back. It was supposed to be at the end of November, but it's been rescheduled a few times. Which is fine with me, I'm not going to get a fill. Don't need one. Two were enough. I've got enough restriction to do it I think. Maybe it will loosen up some next year, just don't know. So, I'm mainly going for an official weigh in. I think the Doc will be pleased. Baked a bunch of cakes for friends and co-workers as usual this year. Only had one piece myself! There are three holiday meals with friends or co-workers this week, but it will soon be over and it's going good. NSV, tried on an XS, extra small, sweater yesterday and it was too big!!!! Tried on a bunch of Small petites. Let husband buy me several things for Christmas. Finally came to the realization that just because it's pretty and fits, you don't buy it like you did in the past. You look at it more critically and say, yeah of course it fits, but does it really do something for me or is it just okay. In the past, if it was a good color and fit, you'd just buy it to have something.....NO MORE!!!!! Let Freedom Ring!

Thanx for the encouragement, JM! I bet I will love it, too, from what all I'm hearing about it. That is a major NSV for you with the wanting to stay at the gym and not as interested in food! CONGRATS! I know I could just LIVE at the gym, but I don't think I'd be married very long if I worked out much more than I do now! I need to get a really, really good set-up at home so I can work out after I work out! LOL ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Today I did 240 crunches and an hour and a half on chest. I moved up to 20 pound dumbells for chest flies and 25 pound dumbells for rows! I know I'll be sore tomorrow, but it sure feels great at the same time!

Oh, you are so good Janet. I don't think I would be able to pass those up. I haven't figured out yet if I am craving something sweet or just a cigarette. I went to the doctors this morning, slushing through all that snow we got, and this is my NSV. First, I am down 54 pounds. One of my diabetes pills have been deleted from my stash and my lasix has been halved. I also only have to test my blood sugars once a week now. WOOHOO I hate doing that.

Just want to say good for all of you. Also, what is NSV?

NSV for me!!!! Went shopping @sears for a few new things to wear at Christmas and I am now just an xlarge. Haven't seen that tag on my clothes in a very long time!!!!!!!

Looks like everyone is doing well. Saw the Dr today. He put .25cc in my band So I'm up to 2.75. I had gained 3 lbs in 4 weeks. It had everything to do with my exercise routine, or should I say, lack of one. My restiction had gone way down and he said it was because the fat around my stomach and band was disappearing, making the band looser. Well, whatever reason I need to get back on the bandwagon. My DH has said pretty much nothing about my band for the last 9 months, perhaps an occasional "should you be eating that?" comment. Yesterday he hugged me and said your getting skinny! It really made my day, he never gives compliments or makes comments about stuff like that. Congrads to all the NSV"S It's great to start shopping and finding clothes that fit...no more baggy tunic tops for me! Have a great day

Thanks Phyl - drinking some new energy drink advocare ??? we will see what it does.. Karri - I usually get up at 5 a.m. cuz I like a cup of coffee & my bad habit (smokes) and I hate rushing in the mornings - i get in the shower around 6 and out the door a little after 7 - am at work before 7:30 I just had to exercise today... I can't beleive those word are comming out of my mouth - but they are - so that in it's self is a BIG NSV for me.. I wanted to be a teacher when I was a little girl - I was going to be a teacher and my grandma and I would live together - she would have a lavendar bedroom and I would have a horse :biggrin1: - I don't think I could teach teenagers - I would rather have the younger ones - k thru 5 before all those attidutes set in.. Phyl you said that right - school isn't what it use to be reading writing arthimatic - now it's algebra in 1st grade:eek: cornell notes in 6th grade- I didn't know what that was and my grandson had to take cornell notes..

Last week went well but I could only hit the gym four days. I did cardio 4/4 days and weight training 2/4 days. I was delayed on Friday and Saturday due to the snow/ice/wind storm, but that is really no excuse since I atleast have an elliptical at home. I did have a NSV I thought I would share. I have a pair of jeans that were my favorite, I haven't worn them in over four years but I couldn't part with them. Well three weeks ago they didn't fit but this Saturday I put them on and they fit, a bit tight but that is okay because in three more weeks they will fit perfect. I am so excited this will be 4-5 sizes smaller than what I started at....This is so exciting for me! This week I am shooting for 5/5 cardio workouts. 3/5 complete weight training workouts. Even though Christmas is getting closer, I really want to maintain my work outs. Does it seem harder to anyone else to try and make it to the gym... Stefani congratulations on your size 13! That is rockin! What do you do is spin class Di? It sounds like fun!

Happy Monday Gang.... How is everyone this morning?? Good I hope... Today is my 5 month anniversary - 56.5 pounds lighter Here is my NSV for the day I am not going to be able to go to the gym tonite (have to go see a gf who's Dad passed) - so guess what I did I set the alarm for 4:15 A.M. - got up had my coffee - dressed and was at the gym at 5:05 A.M. - Did 2 miles - came home showered and was at work by 7:30... For me exercise is key and last week had so much going on - I didn't get to go except for Monday & Saturday... Well, gotta go order my Earth Wind & Fire concert tickets for 1/12 and then get to work - Will ck in later... Have a good day and make good choices.. P.S. Linda - i will fess up on all the cookie & tamales that i eat !!!! I am human too - I do have treats - I figure that so far i have been so good and not eating any junk here at work that I will allow myself some treats next weekend :biggrin1:

Phyl - Now, as I've said before, paying for an Alaskan cruise is pretty asinine for me...but, I'll be in Ketchikan the end of July/early August and can arrange a NICE excursion for a group if a cruise was set up for that time...just something to think about. (I've got connections there!) ssanka - I've also heard that if you get unfilled, or de-banded, that you'll just gain the weight right back, but I have a friend who was banded in 2002, lost a TON of weight, got a total unfill then continued to lose weight and has been able to maintain that for over a year! Pretty incredible, but at least the band is there ... just in case. Indio - I like the gift exchange idea!:biggrin1: Kathy - NSV = Non-Scale Victory (not, a stupid moment, I still haven't figured out what imho means....I guess I just don't "chat" enough!) Something I've noticed...we've been told not to drink liquids while eating - because it'll make the food mushy and, therefore slide down easier and then you can just re-fill the pouch. Well, I have learned that I CANNOT drink while eating...I get stuck EVERY time and have to go PB it out...nnnniiiiiicccceee!:nervous I've been reading my daily messages with the previous day's posts, but haven't had an opportunity to actually get on the site and write. Christmas is suckin' for me...a little anyway. I make fudge as my "gift" to others...what was I thinking? That goes down easy - and it is currently sitting right in front of me!!! AAAAHHHHH!!! I need to package it and give it out or else I'm just going to die! A slow, painful, sinful, gluttonous death! I'm in need of a fill, but something wonderful happened with food the other day. We had a "progressive dinner" (don't know how "progressive" it was since it only entailed two homes, but it IS Nome and it's freakin' cold right now - and I'm used to colder, don't know what's wrong with me). The main dish was Prime Rib...I was so disappointed because I've had such an issue with meat so I made sure I "stocked up" on some shrimp at the previous house. Well, I decided that I'd try a very SMALL amount of meat and...what'dya know...I was able to eat it and not PBing! Must've been cooked just perfect! It was so yummy and I've saved enough to make it for two meals for the past two days..I'm good at eating left-overs...and it IS protein so not too bad...now if I can just get the fudge out of the house! I was able to lose a couple pounds right after the cruise (3 weeks ago), but now, I'm stable...not losing a thing...kinda sucks. I'm trying to stay active, but it's hard when you don't want to go outside. I've done my share of shoveling though and that makes me feel good. I'm in a slump, but I'm planning a trip into Anchorage in Jan/Feb for another fill and I'm going to try to start being on the losing end of the game again. Still, I've managed to lose on average 4lbs. a month since I started this journey and that's better than I was doing. Good luck my Lucky 7 folks! It's been a good year for us all!:whoo:

Wooooooooo Hooooooooooooo!! Concert is done!! Everything went well and now no more Monday night rehearsals!!! I told the director tonight that I couldn't be in the spring concert cause I'm gonna be with my Violet Sistas!!! He was not pleased, but that's the breaks!!! I'm going to get out of my black outfit and hit the hot tub. I was told numerous times tonight how nice I looked. I had to stand in front of the chorus as I played flute with a couple of songs and I was sooooooooo relaxed cause I knew I didn't look like I did a year ago at the concert! It was a great NSV this evening!! Now onward to a fill tomorrow and -3# by Christmas!!! Everyone sleep well! Patience, Trust, Purple Power and WWJD??!!

Okay... so here is my question for today. After getting stuck or having a pb'ing episode are you guys swollen for a couple days? I had a horrible uncooked brocolli vs. the Band experience, at work too!!!! Luckily it didnt last to long. It was my own fault for not chewing well enough. I had wonton soup last night and didnt even think anything about the earlier experience but today I have had so much trouble with anything! Just painfull feeling no actual pb'ing or anything. Sooo... im having some sugar free hot chocolate made with milk for some protein. This is a first for me, so I just wanted to make sure it was normal. LoL It's so good to see everyones pictures and to hear about all your NSV's! Congrats everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday cheer!

Jessica - Congrats on the NSV of jogging :clap2::clap2: To p.m. private message - go back to kathy's post - click on her name and it will pop up do you want to send her a pm - hit that link and you will get a message box - give her your weight as of 12/15 -

Happy Anniversary my fellow banding triplets. We hit 5 months today. I hope that you get everything you have been wanting today. My NSV was I JOGGED, yes I said jogged, on my treadmill today. Before I never ever did that. Hope everyone has a great day!

Tracy-poor thing! I can not even imagine having to deal with a group!! One is enough for me! I feel for you! Pamela-The internet is supposed to be hooked up the same day we move....thank GOD! SnowViolets-more power to you for having to deal with the snow, much less drive in it! I will send WARM thoughts your way Judy-great NSV! That is so awesome! In my rambling of sh*t I have to do...I forgot these things #1 Shop for Christmas #2. Wrap the stuff. #3. Bake cookies for dd school party and for my family party. Well, on the up side of it, at least I do not have to drive on icy roads, so life isn't THAT bad! I went to wal-mart yesterday:eek:. That place was a ZOO. Thank goodness for shopping carts. I was able to corral Macy in that instead of chasing her around the store. TOM showed up today...I am having to beat myself off of the cookies I am baking.:nervous Hope everyone is having a great one. Judy-hope you made it to and from church OK!

I went to my mother's 75th birthday party yesterday and I got so many compliments! The thing is, I've only lost 16 pounds so I can't imagine that it's that obvious. However, in advance of my surgery, I had emailed all of my family a fairly detailed explanation of what I was doing and how it would work and this is the first I had seen most of them since the surgery. So the main way I count it as an NSV is the tremendous amount of support I'm getting!

nvalicia - I do snack between meals, because I am still hungry quite often even with good restriction. I eat sunflower seeds, peanuts, and cheese mostly as snacks. FarmerE - Congrats - what a great NSV!

What inspiring photos from everyone. You all look fantastic... and deserve all of our compliments. I love the NSV's people are sharing... but have to admit a stupid moment... what does NSV stand for? Jessica, welcome to the Lucky 7s, glad to have you on board. I am managing the Holiday Challenge and now have added you. Good luck... when you meet this challenge, you'll be in Onederland!!! I have to admit, I haven't been really "dieting" much the last 6 weeks or so, too stressed about my Dad. I know a few of you have asked me how he's doing. All I can say is not well. He is handling it all very well, with a strong faith in God, but it is really hard for me even thinking of my life without him in it. Given this added stress to my already high stress life, I can tell you I LOVE MY BAND!!! In the past, I would handle my stress through food. (as we all probably do) I've noticed I do still turn to food, but my band stops me very quickly, so I can't keep eating. I have lost 10 lbs since the day I found out my Dad has cancer. In my pre-band life, that would have translated to a 20 lbs gain!! Phyl, Distant, Jackie, Mango, Ribearty and Sunny - Remember to PM me your starting weight for the challenge.

Phyl Great Pictures !!!! Hey Jessica - Weclome - Kathybad is in charge if this - just p.m. her with your weight & level # - Stop in an chat - this is a great group - - Linda Great NSV It feels so good to be out of Plus sized Phyl - GREAT NSV I know what you mean about waiting too long to retry on old clothes.... Karri - Great Pic's you can really see the loss - you were like me with the big reduction of your tummy.. BlooEyez - You are young to begin with but you look even younger - Great Pic's

Hey Jessica--My band twin! Wow! Level 3! I'll be cheering for you! Kathy--I PMed you. Thank you again for setting this up and tracking us. Phyl--What a nice pic! You have changed a lot since summer--you just glow! My NSV for the week was to be able to button the buttons on my daughter's North Face winter jacket. Now she is a size 6, although the jacket is a L, but none the less, it was a huge NSV for me! I think she wants to give the jacket to me so I can buy her a new one--we'll have to see about that! I kinda think I should get to buy a new one. . . Got the Christmas tree up. Today I'll clean up the house and maybe put up afew more decorations. Kinda cluttered here, with my son and his wife living downstairs, my daughter home from school and another son coming home next week. I LOVE IT! So fun to have them around and all their friends. Constant people coming and going. I don't even miss dh right now.

Here's a new one. I am currently in grad school. Returned to college after many years. My school has those annoying little desks with the chairs attached. Until my banding, I could barely sit at those desks and had to suck it in and barely breathe. Imagine sitting in this position for 2 1/2 hours! One month in and I can sit at the desk almost comfortably. I can lower the desk withour bumping into my belly. Another NSV is that I can easily fit into a size 16. My 18's are loose and if I want to, I can now shop in the misses department instead of womans. How I miss that! The clothes are cuter and there is a larger selection. I own clothes from size 6 thru size 18. I could open up a boutique! It will be fun to shop in my own closet too.

Congrads Janet on the NSV. Isnt funny how we lose weight in our fingers, feet, even elbows. My shoes are now to big...

Salsa - It's the other way around youth has more patience than us oldies - but that said - now a days the youth want everything right now - were as when I was a kid - we worked towards things and didn't have instant gratification... But guess I do have more patience than I think I do - When I look at my over all weight loss since July - i am very happy 55.5 lbs - I can't beleived i was so fat before... It's funny thing - you know you are fat but don't really see yourself as fat as you are - but then when you lose weight you don't see yourself as thin as you are. CONGRATS ON 192.5 :clap2::clap2: I know we have no competition here - but I feel so good at being right behind you with me being 24 yrs older than you.. it's just proof that us oldies can do it too :scared: Oh back to earlier - I think it was Jackie who wants updated photos Great idea - my grandson too one 10/27 which i felt very pretty but he never sent to me - so gotta check w/him and wil have him take another one - i have to great NSV - one - size 8 ring is now on middle finger cuz it's too big for ring finger - two -- i bought a dress for the party i went to on 10/27 - (orderd it online) it fit me like a sausage it was WAY too tight - tried it on last nite - and it almost fits - sit a tad tight - but another 10 lbs and it will fit.. Well, needed a break - gotta get back to work - ck in later J

I did have some NSV's yesterday. Despite being fat, I've always felt sexy and presented myself as such.. but when I started dieting, it dawned on me how big I am.. and it kind of bursted my self-esteem when it comes to the opposite sex (since April when I got banded!). Well, yesterday I know for a fact 3 guys were checking me out at the mall. The guy we got food from for lunch was hitting on me. I watched him after we left to see how he interacts with other women, and it was different. He WAS hitting on me! Then we went to hockey game, and 3 guys who came from Canada to support their friend who is on the hockey team, ended up sitting near us. We saw them outside on smoke break, and I confidently was talking to them (they were smokin' hot), and they didn't act like I was the weird fat girl. They were flirting with me and all. But on that note, I thought of something deep & moving, but can't really express it when I go to write. There was another girl out there, in the corner, not talking to anyone. She was fat. Very fat. Probably a little younger than me. She had glasses just like mine, black hair in her face, wearing frumpy all black (looked like mens) clothes. I've been there at some point. She didn't smile, she didn't make eye contact. She just sat there quietly in what looked like self-loathing. I thought, I was her at some point. Now here I am smiling and laughing with the hot guy strangers who are flirting with me. I love that DH and I aren't the jealous type, because I love the attention I'm getting. I think he's happy for me that I get it, it puts a bounce in my step for the rest of the day. I know DH notices me, but it's always nice to have the re-assurance of someone who didn't fall in love with me for my personality, ya know? I've said it before, DH doesn't 'like' fat girls, he still will point them out and act oblivious to the fact I'm overweight. Anyway.. woo. Do I sound silly?

So does anybody have get together's wouldn't it be fun to get a group of all of us together. I don't usually do support groups because there in the evening but I would love to get a group of Ohio bandsters together like maybe once every three months? If someone is interested I would totally help organize it. I am in the Dayton Area. I can get anywhere pretty quick and would love to meet and discuss what weightloss has done for us. I think it would be an encouragement to all of us! I have been banded for four months and I am down on my count from 349 to 275, on my scale. Docs are a little different but this is what I am going with... Anyways I also go to a local gym in the Dayton area if anyone needs a good workout partner! I am starting to see NSV's and I got on a pair of 22 Jeans today! Hoooraaaayyyyyy! These were my favorite jeans back in the day. I can't quite wear them out yet but they are on!!! So if anyone is interested in getting a solid lap band support group together or if there is one already I would like to sign up!!! Thanks! Good luck everyone!