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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!

Oh so much to say........... so little memory :scared: Michelle your description of yesterday made me feel all warm and fuzzy! Terry: The necklace is jawdropping you have such a talent and even more meaning the thought behind all the pieces... the pic and description also made me feel warm and fuzzy. Jennifer: I'm starting to get ticked off at your doc... YOU ARE THE CONSUMER he is NOT God.... if he doesn't give you a fill then change doctors. Suzie: You will retain all the Puter stuff and that is a WONDERFUL NSV! TracyK: Congrats on the house and also on your continued success down the scale. Judy: Happy Fudge DAY! Haydee, Ms_Jen, Jane, Gina, Pam and everyone else: HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Laura, Love your picture. You are to cute and those jeans look great, that ornament is gorgeous. TracyKS, what a little cutie. Looks like a heart breaker to me. And you look wonderful in your pics. Worked at Curves today. My brain is on overload from all the computer work I am having to learn. Hope I retain all of it. My NSV is, last year I had bought a really nice sweatshirt jacket at the beginning of winter. At the time it just barely snapped around me. I wore it all winter and than stored it away for summer. When I went to put it on at the beginning of this winter I stuck my hands in the pockets and wrapped both arms around my front and overlapped the jacket by a huge amount. At the time when I realized what I had done, I was home by myself and didn't have anyone to show but I do remember almost being in tears. One other thing is and I think I have mentioned this before. I don't feel like people stare at me as much as they used too. I don't get that "Look at the circus lady" look anymore. Or at least I'm not noticing it. I'm feeling more comfortable about going out to places. I have also noticed that we seem to use the booths more often instead of the table and chairs. I"M LOVING MY BAND. I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT. :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: Did I mention that I LOVE MY BAND? LOVE IT LOVE IT. Everyone have a great evening.

HOLY CRAP NSV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just tried on a size 10 (stretch) but never worn jeans.. I tried them on 3 weeks ago and couldn't get them buttoned.... guess what?????????????? THEY ARE BUTTONED! (I can't really breathe, but you ALL KNOW MY THEORY ON THAT!!!!!! Shakeit shakeit shakeit! (and I've been bouncing stuck between 204 and 210 for two months now!!!!!!!! )

Way to go fellow Marchie!!! I love NSV almost as much as seeing the scale move downwards!!

Good Morning, Violets.. Ethan is in his "cage" as we call it.. just the crib we have downstairs to contain him when it's naptime. He's amusing himself right now fighting off the inevitable. lol Cindy... have a wonderful cruise!!!! Jennifer... loads of purple power vibes being sent your way. Hope today is a better day for you. Terry... the same purple power vibes are on their way to you too. TracyK.. my alltime favorite NSV is being able to cross my legs at will withouth having to lift one over the other. And when I cross my legs sitting in a church pew, my top leg doesn't push up against the back of the pew. Now that's a "heavenly" feeling!! Also being able to wear pants that don't have an elastic waist is a great feeling. Also being out of plus size clothes. Oh, the list goes on an on!! Pamela.. TGIF today for you!! Plus Suzanne will be there. Doesn't get much better!! Tomorrow is fudge making day. Got to get all of it done so I can hand it out to the dog groomer, hair dresser, nail tech and church staff. Lots o' fudge for them.. zippo for me and the bobster..... I HOPE! Going in for a little fill Monday so have to be good. I want the scale there to be kind to me. Time to get some things done while Ethan snoozes. Catch ya later!!

Now this is weird...I am the first one up this am??? Usually I wake to TracyK and Jennifer???Where are you guys? Janie, sorry to hear about your friend. I had a lump at my baseline screening when I was 35. It dissolved...but was totally scarry. Since then, I have to get one every year! Ladies, if you haven't done it in a while...get the hell off the puter and go make apt. Love ya:kiss2: Michelle!!! Purple power for your ds! TracyK! I'll let you know my fav NSV or SV when I get one:eek:. Actually, my fav SV was 249, but now I live at 251 (for days, before that it was 252). I do know this, yesterday I started my third period in a month! Oh joy! got a busy day (aren't they all?) but I took tomorrow off!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so it is like a Friday! Susanne will be here tonight or in the early am! Have a great day! Pamela

Kristin - I think that's part of why I chose to not tell anybody about the band, I can't handle the questions! LOL That is so great about the cargo pants. I'm not sure that I'm going down in sizes. I'm scared to try anything on. Hope everything went okay with the ice storm...I'm hearing some terrible things on the news and it just breaks my heart - right before Christmas. Good luck at the Buffet-O-Death on Thursday (I'm exaggerating - I'm sure it'll be fine!). LOL Let us know how everything goes. I have another NSV to add. Like I've said before - I walk about 20 floors' worth of stairs at work. Well, I avoid the ones I can as much as possible. Tonight I just felt like giving it a shot and I jogged (yes! jogged!) up a set of about 20 and didn't feel like I was going to die!! The last time I remember going up those stairs before I lost weight, I had to stop at about 10 and regain my strength and breath. I felt GREAT at the top. Yes, a bit out of breath, but not dying! So I wondered how many I could do. So far I have "jogged" up about 290 steps (and back down). I love it! I'm getting some great exercise and it makes me feel so good physically (not to mention giving me a mental boost). I also am under the impression (if I'm not imagining things) that my tummy looks smaller in my uniform. I wear a badge on my belt and I looked in the mirror and it doesn't look like it's overshadowed by my gut anymore! I'm so excited.

Yea I got card #1 today Judy---I loved it, I now look forward to #2! You sound like you assemble things like we do. Rick does the old look at the box and begin. Me I find the instructions and begin with step one....only after getting plastic bowl for all the nuts & bolts, and assembling the tools it says we need. I am a bit of an organization freak when it comes to things that way!!! On the good side though, we got our elliptical as well as many, many other things through the years---and we haven't killed one another yet! Weather here today was cold, but clear. I had to go to Lowes, and then picked up some things in Walmart for my brother, he never knows what to get my kids, so I helped! I tell him nothing, but forget that! TracyK that is a good thing, it will make moving soooo much easier, not having to secure things, and cover them for a long trip. And everything will be familiar. I have so many NSV's that I would have serious problems figuring out which was #1....think it depends on the mood or the day or something! I loved running into my old boyfriend, and he told me I had not changed a bit! He was just gone for many years, and did not see the 100 pound climb, or the 100 pound loss!! I felt so awesome that he thought I had not changed---which I know we had both aged, but I was not ashamed to be facing him! I mean he had a bit of a belly beginning on him too!! But 100 pounds ago, I would have been very self concious of how much I had changed from when he knew me....which is about 130 pounds ago. It is the feeling--the one where I no longer worry about standing out in a crowd simply due to my weight. Whether it is with the old bf, or walking into a restaurant, or across a parking lot---I am not a young thing garnering lots of attention for looking good, nor am I worried about them seeing me as HUGE---I just feel normal. In all reality, I almost always felt within a reasonably normal range. I never worried that people were going to go home and discuss the huge, fat woman they saw in the store today....but when being looked at----I felt ashamed of myself, and I don't feel that way anymore. Painting my toenails myself, fitting in the shower with DH, buying in the Misses, and even the Juniors dept., chasing my grandkids--really running and chasing them, and giving them horsey back rides, knowing seat belts will fit, and I will fit in seats, and that almost all weight limits are now below me, knowing one size fits most---I'm a most now! The list goes on and on and on!!! Laura--was everyone with this organization (church did you say?) rude like this or was it limited to the one woman who gave you such grief all along---this is the same one you spoke of before with the meeting etc? I think if it were just her, I would speak to someone else about the situation...surely you and your company are not the only ones she is making the church look bad with! ---Now on the other hand with the $$$ side of it, I would imagine they are like most business--and would only pay the invoice when it was sent and likely once a month, she may have taken the continued emails as harrassing. I see why you were doing it, but...having heard her history, I imagine that set her off again! I do not mean to be playing Devils Advocate here, but I know from running my own small business, I never paid a bill without a written invoice of some sort, leaving me a paper trail. And when you are dealing with a church, they answer up several levels, while only certain ones have actual money access. She must be one of them though to be making the original agreement. Kill her with kindness, send her a card again! Don't let her drag you down, you did right by her---don't let her pull you to her level! Yep Suzanne--I have to agree with the article too!! I did low fat for over a year. I bought into the whole thing that I could eat like 14 baked potatoes and have less fat than one single slice of cheese! I worked hard at it, exercise and all, and in that year, I dropped my cholesterol 7 points, and lost 24 pounds. It was hard! Then I did Atkins, which is low carb. Holy smoke! I lost weight almost as fast as with the band! Now the second I added carbs back into the diet, the weight soared!!!!!!!!! I was starving all the time--where as when I was doing the no carb thing, I was not craving them, but give me one and I want them all! My cholesterol did not go back up---it remained steady, until I lost this time, and it dropped some more. But low carbing it, will drop weight on me FAST!! Even with the band, if I want to jump start losing again, the first thing I get rid of is anything white! Potatoes, bread, rice....Get plenty of protein, and I feel good, and the weight drops. The thing with me is I hate feeling deprived! I hate not being able to have something! It nags at my brain non stop! So I always thought I could just have a little bit, and that was always my down fall. With the band, I truly can have just a little bit and I am fine! Give it a try--I bet you are shocked! Well speaking of food! Kinsey wanted fish and corn on the cob for lunch, so we went to Captain D's--like Long John Silvers---I managed almost a full fish fillet. Got over full, thought I was going to lose it all right then there--but it passed!!! Gotta go-- Kat

Terri-great to see you still have your sense of humor....love it!! :eek: Question for all violets.... We ahave all had NSVs and SV right? here is the question. What was your favorite NSV you have had? My answer...my fav NSV is a tie. First was putting on my first ever pair of 12/14 pants. The other was how proud my ob/gyn was of me. I could hear him down the hall from my room telling people about it What are your favs? The needle stick today did not hurt at all thank goodness. Kat-Our house is one whole street over from where we are now LOL At least it won't be any trouble driving back & forth during the moving process. I hope everyone has a great evening!

Those look great Rain! Nice booty indeed. I can't wait to lose my weight and have the little enjoyment of NSV's like this. And on a side note, its recommended to buy jeans a bit on the tight side to begin with as they will stretch out fairly quickly.

BIG NSV Distant..... Congrats on the 153 - You are dong GREAT:clap2:

Hey there gang, hope everyone is doing well..Sorry I havent been on in a few days, been a lil busy with Christmas just around the corner and I have had this awful head cold that seems to be going around here. Congrads Phyl, 50 pound mark already.... and look at everyone hitting ONEDERLAND before the new year!!! The scales are starting to move again. Im down to 153. I am hoping to be under 150 by Christmas...I was trying on rings yesterday and I have dropped like 2 sizes in just fingers. From a 9 to a 7. Man, it will be so nice to buy a ring and not have it sized up from the average size 7....Guess that was a lil NSV for me.... Hope everyone has a great day......

Well unless I'm completely out of it, there's no way I'm doing that kind of test. It's preventative I'm sure, but after talking with my mom.. it sounds pretty drastic this early on. They were doing 2 tests. This was one, the other is an ultrasound (so much less invasive). They can do the ultrasound on my next appt, and if they see something there, they can dope me up and talk to me about being in a frog position with a cathetar! So I came to post an NSV My mom wears a size 12/14.. we went to Avenue (plus size store) a few months ago.. she got some size 14 shirts, I got 22/24 at the time. I wear the 22/24 from there sometimes, but they are pretty blousy on me. Mom said none of her shirts fit, because 14W isn't same as 12/14. I went over last night and tried them on, they all fit great on me! Today I'm wearing a size 14W tunic. Woot. I don't know what that actually translates to, but 14 still feels good