Search the Community

Northernsun That's a fantastic NSV. The body dysmorphia that allowed us to get obese does a number on our heads during the slide down to normal too. What more can a person do, other than trust the image in the mirror and the words of people we love? Poeple are shocked when I tell them I only looked at my face in the mirror. Good to know there's a group of us out there.

You know one of the best things about this forum is on matter how you feel about somethng, there is always someone and usuallu many someones, that feel the same way and understand what we are feeling. I alsoi never looked in mirrors if I could help it. I hated trying on clothes at store because of the evil 3 way mirrors! Tended to shop a lot on line or just buy and return if it didn't fit. No matter how many time my DH and DD tell me how good I am doing and how much better I look, I still see in the mirror, fat. There seems to be a short in my brain somewhere that can see the changes and process the sizes I have grown out of but still see me as fat. I am well aware that I have a long way to go yet but I have a hard time seeing where I have been and congratulating myself. I have noticed that I am slowly reaching acceptance for the way I look now and smiling with the NSV that happen along the way. My latest smile- standing in the grocery line and I had to move my cart to the end of the line and I was able to pull it right past me without having to step into the next door cashiers space to do it! Did make me smile!

Thanks!! I've actually hit 65#'s lost now....my body is so weird! I go through about 3 weeks of gaining and losing about 3 or 4 pounds and then WHAMMO....in 1 week I lose 10 pounds! At first it really bothered me but have learned it's just how I lose weight. I had to work all weekend also, driving a tractor on our farm. One big NSV for me was that pre-band I would head out for an 8-10 hour day on the tractor with a cooler full of lunch food and snacks so I wouldn't "starve to death". Caught myself going this time with a Southbeach Diet High protein granola bar and 2 waters...and beleive it or not, I didn't die of hunger!!! Hope everyone is doing well, need to head to bed. Going to check out a new swimming suit store tomorrow morning, mine isn't exactly fitting anymore!:clap2:

Laura...on reflection I see it wise to have a contract in place...glad you got it sorted with her!! LOL..Congrats on the jeans..That's a MAJOR NSV for you..keep it up..xx Haydee...great to hear about the fill benefits!! I'm REALLY looking forward to reporting same!!

Hi everyone! Haven't checked in for a while. I've taken the week off from work, and am enjoying some "me time." I think vacations at home are the best! Just wish the weather were a bit nicer. Can't get outside much because of the rain. I've come to realize that I definately need a fill. I know you guys have been telling this, but I'm pretty stubborn. I'm really not gaining (other than 2 lb fluctuations), which is amazing, but I know I'm eating too much. I did fairly well with exercise, though I needed more 40 min sessions. I think I'll keep my exercise goals the same for next month, and will schedule a fill within the next couple of weeks. I'm 37 today! Crazy! I'm so glad I decided to take care of my weight issue when I did. My mother was visiting this past weekend, and has been gaining steadily all her life. It's so hard for me watching her struggle with walking, going up stairs, and being in constant pain. She has major food issues and eats constantly - but denies she does. She is almost 57. She didn't support my surgery at first, but I think she has seen that it has been a positive thing. Maybe she will decide to do something for her health...... It's wonderful to hear of all the NSV's, and I love the positivity of this group!

Good Morning!!!!! Congrats on all the NSV's!!!! Everyone is doing AWESOME!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2:

TCTX, You are doing awesome. Isn't it fun to have those NSV. I got a second fill on Tuesday and know I have some restruction. I've PBed twice since then. It may sound weird but I'm glad I did because now I know I have restruction. A new NSV for me. We're going camping this weekend. I pulled out my 5 swim suits in 3 different sizes. The two I bought for last summer that I squeezed into really looked different. One was really too big and it's the one I wore last year because the other one really looked awful. The other one looks pretty good but the butt of it is too big. The 2 from about 3 years ago went on but they were just a little too clingy. The black one from about 6 or 7 years ago was too big, mainly because I've really streatched it out of shape. I probably won't even mind not wearing a t shirt and shorts over the suit.

I NEED SOME SIMPLE DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A TICKER!!!<p>NSV???</p> <p> </p> <p>MORNING YALL</p> <p> </p> <p>I WENT TO ASHLEY STEWART YESTERDAY AND JUST PICKED UP A SIZE 18 SHIRT I WENT IN 10MIN BEFORE THE STORE CLOSED SO I WAS IN A HURRY!!!! DIDNT EVEN THINK ABOUT TRYING IN ON JUST ASSUMED IT WOULD FIT!! </p> <p> </p> <p>SO I WENT TO TARGET AND TRIED ON A DRESS SIZE 16/18 </p> <p> </p> <p>!!!!!!!!!!!!WHOA NELLY!!!! </p> <p> </p> <p>IT WAS LOOSE AS A NAKED GOOSE!!! </p> <p> </p> <p>I TOOK IT OFF LOOKED AT THE TAG SIZE AND PUT IT BACK ON I COULDNT BELEIVE IT!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>!!!!!!!!I LOOKED PRETTY GREAT WITHOUT A GIRDLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>I WENT TO THE DOLLAR STORE STEPPED ON A SCALE THEY HAD IT READ 230!!! </p> <p> </p> <p>I DIDNT GET TO EXCITED I ONLY TRUST THE DOCTORS SCALE!</p> <p> </p> <p>I GOT HOME PUT ON THE SHIRT AND GOT PISSED CAUSE IT WAS TOO BIG, BUT I HAVE IT ON NOW AND I PUT A WIDE BELT ON WITH IT AND NOW IT LOOKS PERFECT!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>GOODBYE SIZE 18/20 TOPS HELLO 16'S</p> <p></p>

My hair has finally gotten better about coming out and I honestly think it is due to the extreme conditioning I have been doing, since it is not coming out at the root but rather breaking off, I started really conditioning and hot oil treatments and it is really alot better. Just whats working for me, hope y'alls get better too, mine was so bad I was worried about bald spots but got it cut yesterday and my beautician said it is fine and the cut made it look so much healthier. I had a great NSV got into a size 12! I started at 22-24, I don't remember ever wearing a 12!

Darn TOM anyway...back up two....grrrr...theme from Rocky starting in my head. Have to find a way to break through this stuck position. Nicole, good luck on the interview. Just be yourself and you'll do great! Angela, congrats on the 14's!! That's a great NSV. July 4th Challenge Week 7 Name.............................Starting….Current…...Goal….....To Go losingjusme..(Christine)......317...........305 .............295...........10 tann.............(Tammy)........257.......... 239..............232...........07 juliegeraci.........................232.......... 232..............220...........12 Josette.............................340.......... 329..............315...........14 Inner_me.....(Chris)............306...........298 .............280...........18 Elisabethsew..(Elisabeth)...281..........273 .............260...........13 Waterlily1072...(Nicole)..... 278..........272 .............252...........20 Libra..(Angela)...................230...........222.............205...........17 Lapbandit……...............… 208……….206……..…..185…….....21 RidinMyHDDream.(Carol)....281..........276 .............256............20 FaithMD.......................... 341.5........327..............310.. .........17

I'm trying to have an NSV. Today was our first meeting with the wedding coordinator, after she's been paid the deposit. It was 1.5 weeks out, which was a looong wait for me, but it was today at noon. Fiance and I took off work, get down there and she's not there.. we waited till 12:30 then asked another office if we could use their phone. They called her for us (that was so emberassing, its another business and the lady looked at us like we were crazy.. and of course we BOTH forgot our cell phones today).. The wedding lady tells us oohhhh she thought the meeting was at 5, but she looked and it was noon and she's SO sorry etc.. and I was really cold, this is an omen to me!! I'm really upset. If the first meeting after getting paid she 'forgets' our meeting, than we're in trouble, right?! She asked if we could come back at 5, and since I was in another business with their customers staring at me, I was just going 'ok.. ok..ok' really monotone, but I wanted to flip out and tell her, she cost us 20 bucks in fiance's pay check and we're sitting there in the heat waiting, she needed to get her happy ass down there.. she said she had people over and couldn't leave but would be there at 5... So now I'm torn.. we already paid and signed contract.. but I already do NOT like her for standing us up like that!!! Fiance said, one time is fine, if it happens again we have a problem. Maybe I'm over reacting, but today was important, we're getting times set in stone, going over vendors etc. and she's too lackadaisical (sp) to check her appointment book? Oy. So I'm trying to cool off right now, but I'm wanting to eat to calm me down! I'm craving all kinds of comfort foods. I'm drinking OJ and water and fighting it. Mdrai hurry back and post!! Inquiring minds want to know how it went! Teach-Glad you're back! Sounds like you guys had a good time and hubby is recooperating like a good patient (no food! hehe). Kat- On another note, I didn't want to be pushy but it sounds like you guys have made it home now, so I was wondering if I could still borrow the XP Home disk? I promise I won't chuck it at our wedding coordinator

Great NSV. I am very happy for you. We really are investing in the quality of the rest of our lives! You are inspiring!

Hey Friends, I joined LA Fitness on Sunday---and worked out today! It was a NSV moment! Denise

That is a great NSV Mr.Yoda. Hypertension can be a real problem. I am hoping to be off my BP meds pretty quick as well. If my damn life would cooperate and quit being so stressful. Andrew

Plateau here as well, about two months worth. Up down, up down. I'm going in for a fill next week. But I'm not discouraged...I've always had plateaus on any kind of weigh loss program and know that it is indeed part of the process. I anticipate a drop in weight. I've also stepped up the exercise. I'm thinking about the 5-6 small meals....that might shake things up about. And you are right about the NSV...I keep losing fractions of inches inspite of what the scale says. Patience! Kept after it, everyone! Shawn

Mr. Y - that is absolutely the BEST kind of NSV!!!! Congratulations!!!!! Everyone say WOOTWOOT!!!!

Mrs. Yoda told me about these NSVs, (non scale victories) and I thought that today I have had one and I should share...:horn: About 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with Hypertension (high BP) :boom:and in a course of one month went from no pills to 2 pills in the AM and 5 pills in the PM to control it and I think it is controled quite well... ONE week after joining the Banded side (You all might remember) my BP fell through the floor and I was dangerously close to hospital time to get it back up. :faint: That day May 10th, I stopped the pills (all of them) for fear of bottoming out and causing real damage to myself. Today, 20 days after banding, my GP told me to throw the pills out as I NO LONGER HAVE HYPERTENSION! :whoo: I have been taken off the 7 pills I was on for 5 years that's 1826 days. and it only took 20 days since banding to get off them. I think that qualifies as a NSV!!! :thumb:

Hey Hazel - Yes, the fill was interesting. I kind of expected more restriction but then remember I'm only on liquids so there's not much to "restrict"...hehe. I thought I'd at least be tight this morning though and nope...nothing. So...just a side note and I'm gonna call it a NSV...hehe...sex with hubby is so much better without my big lower belly getting in the way. :-D He's lost his belly too since he's going to the gym with me...hehe. He'd absolutely die if he knew I was telling bedroom stories to ya'll. HAZELBUNNY...make sure you don't say anything if/when you meet him on Saturday. :-P

Okay - so we all get motivated and we are gung ho about losing our weight. We're going strong, nothing can stop us now, or can it? You finally hit the dreaded "I don't care attitude". You realize 3 months later, you've gained weight, your no longer exercising and your eating crap. You wonder, what happened? You were so excited and doing good, then you stopped? Well, you lost your motivation, otherwise known as MOJO. So, I'm on a qwest, how do we keep our mojo going strong? I've been asking the experienced bandsters this question, what motivates you? What keeps you motivated? Here are some tips - 1) Have some goals and write them down! Make sure they are very clear and precise goals. Don't just say, I want to lose 50 lbs, ror 60 lbs. What are you going to do to hit that goal? Have some short term goals - and work toward your bigger goals. 2) Have some NSV goals. It's not all about weight, maybe you want to wear a size 10, or maybe you want to no longer touch the sides of the bathtub with your thighs when you are in it (one of my NSV goals). 3) Measure your success - thats right, get out the tape measure and measure! You will be amazed at the results (I've lost 8 inches off my hips - that to me is amazing!). Also, measure your success with pictures, take your picture every month, you might even take it nude, this is just for you to measure your success. Or take it in you undies, or bikini, however you want. Look at the before & after pics and check out Foodchamps - you can really see the difference in her tummy area, but if you just took the pic fully clothed, you wouldn't be able to see the results. 4) You have to be tough about the scales. Yes, this is hard to do, I know from experience. But, realize your body water weight changes all the time, some days its retaining some days it is now. So the best thing to do is measure your results weekly or monthly. 5) Look at your before pic often and then look at your latest pic, see how far you have come, don't stop now. Keep telling yourself this. Vision yourself smaller and fit and heathy. 6) Fake it until you make it......I'm talking about exercise. The dreaded word. I hated it, I faked it, went to the gym and walked slowly on the treadmill faking it, then after about 3 weeks, I started increasing the speed, and finally really started pushing myself, I made it....get it? Fake it until you make it! I promise, keep doing this and you will make it, but its hard in the beginning so push yourself to the gym or to go for a walk. 7) Keep track of what you eat, don't just say, I'm doing good, why am I not losing....if you keep track of EVERY bite you can look back on it and say "Wow, it must be the bite here and there of the M&m's i'm consuming, or that piece of candy I grab everyday off my desk etc. Keeping track of what we eat will keep us on the losing path, it will keep us motivated. 8) Buy yourself some new clothes! it will motivate you, promise. I bought myself a size smaller and now am wearing it. It motivates me to keep going smaller. We deserve to reward ourselves, so lets do it, but no with food! 9) Don't look at your flaws (I do it, its easy to do) look at your accomplishment and what you are doing - keep thinking about how much better you are going to look, this helps me stay motivated. 10) After you reach your goals, mark them off your list. It motivates me to keep checking off goals. It keeps me motivated! Below are my goals I wrote back in December (see my first page of my journal) - So I'm going thru them and checking off what I have done - 1. I want back in my bikini! I haven't worn it since, well, 14 years ago. Not yet - but working toward it 2. I want a fit body, not just healthy but toned, I want my atheletic shape back - the one way to do this is EXERCISE (note to self, get off the couch and MOVE) - I've started exercising, so I'm working toward this goal, I can see changes in my body and I feel better so 50/50 accomplished so far. 3. I want to buy sexy clothes again! and not only buy them, but be able to wear them and feel good in them. - I bought a few sexy shirts, and I will be wearing one next weekend. So, I'm going to say this goal has been reached! 4. I want to be able to bend down and tie my shoes without the breath being knocked out of me. - DONE! 5. I want to be able to get in the tub and not have my ASS take up the entire tub, side to side - oh this sucks. - DONE! 6. I want to be able to cross my legs. - DONE! 7. I want to be able to wear shorts without them riding up my crotch. - hmmmm, almost but not quite. 8. I want to be able to walk without my thighs rubbing each other and sweating in the summer and leaving that horrible heat rash! - still working on this one. 9. I want to be able to push food away and not feel the need to clean up the entire plate.- I say - DONE. 10. I don't want food to be my focus in life.- DONE! 11. I want my kids to be proud of me. 12. I want to feel beautiful again and not 40 & fat. - Working on this, but not quite there. 13. I want to be able to buy a low rise pair of jeans without my stomach hanging over. my current jeans go clear up to my belly button. - My most exciting goal of all that I reached! I bought my first pair last week and they look good! 14. I want to be able to have sex with my DH and not feel the need to "turn the lights off". - Well, almost. 15. I want to become where exercise is a part of my life, where I crave exercise like I crave chocolate.- Becoming more and more part of my life! OMG - I've reached this goal! 16. I want to inspire other people to lose weight. - I was just told the other day that I inspire them. So I am going to say DONE! 17. I want to become a personal trainer. - This is a long term goal of mine - so not there yet! 18. I want to buy attractive Teddies to wear instead of my sweatpants and tee shirts to bed. - I forgot about this goal, so I think next week after I complete my 6th week of BFL, I will by myself a new nightie, to celebrate my 1/2 mark with bfl. 19. I want to be proud of my weight, not ashamed. - almost, but not quite 20. I want people to be shocked that I am 40 because I look younger, not shocked because I am 40 and I look 50. - working on this, the more weight I lose, the younger I look.

Okay - so we all get motivated and we are gung ho about losing our weight. We're going strong, nothing can stop us now, or can it? You finally hit the dreaded "I don't care attitude". You realize 3 months later, you've gained weight, your no longer exercising and your eating crap. You wonder, what happened? You were so excited and doing good, then you stopped? Well, you lost your motivation, otherwise known as MOJO. So, I'm on a qwest, how do we keep our mojo going strong? I've been asking the experienced bandsters this question, what motivates you? What keeps you motivated? Here are some tips - 1) Have some goals and write them down! Make sure they are very clear and precise goals. Don't just say, I want to lose 50 lbs, ror 60 lbs. What are you going to do to hit that goal? Have some short term goals - and work toward your bigger goals. 2) Have some NSV goals. It's not all about weight, maybe you want to wear a size 10, or maybe you want to no longer touch the sides of the bathtub with your thighs when you are in it (one of my NSV goals). 3) Measure your success - thats right, get out the tape measure and measure! You will be amazed at the results (I've lost 8 inches off my hips - that to me is amazing!). Also, measure your success with pictures, take your picture every month, you might even take it nude, this is just for you to measure your success. Or take it in you undies, or bikini, however you want. Look at the before & after pics and check out Foodchamps - you can really see the difference in her tummy area, but if you just took the pic fully clothed, you wouldn't be able to see the results. 4) You have to be tough about the scales. Yes, this is hard to do, I know from experience. But, realize your body water weight changes all the time, some days its retaining some days it is now. So the best thing to do is measure your results weekly or monthly. 5) Look at your before pic often and then look at your latest pic, see how far you have come, don't stop now. Keep telling yourself this. Vision yourself smaller and fit and heathy. 6) Fake it until you make it......I'm talking about exercise. The dreaded word. I hated it, I faked it, went to the gym and walked slowly on the treadmill faking it, then after about 3 weeks, I started increasing the speed, and finally really started pushing myself, I made it....get it? Fake it until you make it! I promise, keep doing this and you will make it, but its hard in the beginning so push yourself to the gym or to go for a walk. 7) Keep track of what you eat, don't just say, I'm doing good, why am I not losing....if you keep track of EVERY bite you can look back on it and say "Wow, it must be the bite here and there of the M&m's i'm consuming, or that piece of candy I grab everyday off my desk etc. Keeping track of what we eat will keep us on the losing path, it will keep us motivated. 8) Buy yourself some new clothes! it will motivate you, promise. I bought myself a size smaller and now am wearing it. It motivates me to keep going smaller. We deserve to reward ourselves, so lets do it, but no with food! 9) Don't look at your flaws (I do it, its easy to do) look at your accomplishment and what you are doing - keep thinking about how much better you are going to look, this helps me stay motivated. 10) After you reach your goals, mark them off your list. It motivates me to keep checking off goals. It keeps me motivated! Below are my goals I wrote back in December (see my first page of my journal) - So I'm going thru them and checking off what I have done - 1. I want back in my bikini! I haven't worn it since, well, 14 years ago. Not yet - but working toward it 2. I want a fit body, not just healthy but toned, I want my atheletic shape back - the one way to do this is EXERCISE (note to self, get off the couch and MOVE) - I've started exercising, so I'm working toward this goal, I can see changes in my body and I feel better so 50/50 accomplished so far. 3. I want to buy sexy clothes again! and not only buy them, but be able to wear them and feel good in them. - I bought a few sexy shirts, and I will be wearing one next weekend. So, I'm going to say this goal has been reached! 4. I want to be able to bend down and tie my shoes without the breath being knocked out of me. - DONE! 5. I want to be able to get in the tub and not have my ASS take up the entire tub, side to side - oh this sucks. - DONE! 6. I want to be able to cross my legs. - DONE! 7. I want to be able to wear shorts without them riding up my crotch. - hmmmm, almost but not quite. 8. I want to be able to walk without my thighs rubbing each other and sweating in the summer and leaving that horrible heat rash! - still working on this one. 9. I want to be able to push food away and not feel the need to clean up the entire plate.- I say - DONE. 10. I don't want food to be my focus in life.- DONE! 11. I want my kids to be proud of me. 12. I want to feel beautiful again and not 40 & fat. - Working on this, but not quite there. 13. I want to be able to buy a low rise pair of jeans without my stomach hanging over. my current jeans go clear up to my belly button. - My most exciting goal of all that I reached! I bought my first pair last week and they look good! 14. I want to be able to have sex with my DH and not feel the need to "turn the lights off". - Well, almost. 15. I want to become where exercise is a part of my life, where I crave exercise like I crave chocolate.- Becoming more and more part of my life! OMG - I've reached this goal! 16. I want to inspire other people to lose weight. - I was just told the other day that I inspire them. So I am going to say DONE! 17. I want to become a personal trainer. - This is a long term goal of mine - so not there yet! 18. I want to buy attractive Teddies to wear instead of my sweatpants and tee shirts to bed. - I forgot about this goal, so I think next week after I complete my 6th week of BFL, I will by myself a new nightie, to celebrate my 1/2 mark with bfl. 19. I want to be proud of my weight, not ashamed. - almost, but not quite 20. I want people to be shocked that I am 40 because I look younger, not shocked because I am 40 and I look 50. - working on this, the more weight I lose, the younger I look.

I weighed in at the gym this morning and it ready 239lbs!!!! The 270's, 260's, 250's, and 240's are gone for good. Now I can officially say that "I'VE LOST 40 POUNDS!!!" Instead of "almost" 40lbs! :woot: Denise, I hope you enjoyed your birthday!!! :happybday: Outdoorfriends, I hope have a fast recovery! Try some sit down exercises with weights and some side bends at your waist. It may not burn as many calories, but you'll have some kick ass arms and shoulders by the time you're done! :boxing: Kyethra, you seem to be having one problem after another. I don't know how you function. You're a strong girl! I hope things get better for you soon! :hug: Hazelbunny, You are doing AWESOME!!! :grouphug: lala3000, I don't know what's wrong with me girl! This is the second week that I haven't made it to the hospital. I have been running around in circles lately. I really need to get myself together. Biking from 63rd to Navy Pier is a GREAT NSV! WAY TO GO!!! CuddlyNymph, The restriction felt after fill #1 has alot to do with your band size and how aggressive your surgeon is with fills. Those with the larger band may need several fills, but if you have the smaller band like me it usually only takes one or two fills. I felt some restriction with my first fill of 1.5cc and 2 weeks later I went for my second fill of 2.25cc. I have good restriction now. I have another appt. on June 4th so we'll see...if I keep this same restriction I will tell my surgeon that I don't want another fill. So, If you have good restriction and you are loosing weight, you may want to postpone having another fill. Happy HumpDay!!!!!

Happy Birthday Denise!!! Tammyj- I missed you yesterday!!! Call me girl so we can go jogging together. Everything has been great with me I am learning to work with my band. I feel I need a fill hopefully when I go back to the doctor it will happen. However i'm still losing so we shall see. We have finally had a break in the weather so I want to do more outside stuff. I actually have a NSV Last Saturday I rode my bike along the lake front from 63rd and Lake Shore Dr. to Navy Pier (That In Chicago). That was a total of 18 miles. I really shocked myself with that one!!!! MaRcHiEs Rock!!!! Stay Motivated Everyone!!!!

I WALKED TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW!!!!!!!! (Major, MAJOR NSV) I really really really stink at consistant exercise! On the way home I was giving myself all kinds of OUTs and Excuses to just stop and pick him up on the way home.......... (too late, I may not make it before 5, too hot, he may be too hot from playing, ohhh I'll just walk AFTER we get home... ) it was literally the voices in my head ( ALL THE APRIL bandsters 06 & 07's ) telling me to get over myself and suck it up and just do it! SO I DID. It is only .6 miles each way.. so for all you REAL exercisers that's not even worth breaking a sweat for, but for ME it is a big deal.... cause I was sweating like I just ran a marathon! LOL

No 299 today! I got my engagement ring last night. We were engaged long before he could afford the ring, so he finally gave it to me last night! It doesn't fit. It's kind of a NSV, but also it's really disappointing. He had bought it in TN and they don't have a local store, and if I have someone here resize it, it voids all warranties. It fit when we were sizing rings originally.. but now I've lose weight in my sausage fingers and it's way too big.. falls right off :eek: :P I'm afraid to resize it now, since I'll likely have to resize it again in a few months...and everytime they resize they have to take the diamond out, and yadda yadda.. so I'm trying to find a store that has those rubber tube sizers. The metal ones would make me itch and break out. Waaaah I finally got an engagement ring and I can't wear it!

congratulations!!! thats Great news and a real success and NSV!!! i know thats gotta be a relief!