I am so very happy that I took the step to get banded!

The past couple of weeks have been a bit of a struggle for me because the scale has barely moved - about 1 lb in 2 weeks. But, luckily, just when I was starting to get frustrated I had some awesome NSVs.

First of all, I have to explain that I am one of those people who just didn't see myself as looking as fat as I was. When I looked in the mirror I knew I was overweight but the person I saw was not the morbidly obese person who showed up whenever I saw a picture of myself. Last weekend, my family was at a St. Patrick's Day parade and my husband took a picture of my son and I. When I saw the picture later, I just sat and stared at it. This was the first time in many years that I saw the same person in the picture that I see in the mirror each day. This is a HUGE deal for me!!!

Then today I went shopping because I was getting tired of having to pull my jeans up every time I take a few steps (I could actually take them off without unbuttoning them). I am now in a size 22 pants (down from an almost unwearbly tight 28) and in a size 18/20 top (down from a 26/28). This is all since I started my pre-op diet on November 18th!

While this journey hasn't always been easy, it's these little things that keep me motivated. Even though the scale isn't moving the way I want it to right now, I can see the difference in my body and in my clothes sizes and that just reinforces why I am doing this. I am happier with myself that I have been in years!!!

That is great! I am in the same boat as you, scale has been slow, but I'm losing inches and keep buying pants that are to big. Also I knew I was fat but I never felt so huge, except in pics and the mirror. I'd see a fat person walk by and say to myself I don't look like that. I did in fact but used to not think so.

It is funny, I thought I was the only who could not see me as the world did until I saw a picture of myself. I go to Seattle is less than 3 weeks, to see my daughter and her family. I am acutally sort of excited to have a picture taken again.

I also scored a nice NSV this week too - I can officially wear ALL the clothes in my closet. So, to Celebrate, I am cleaning out my closet this weekend of all the stuff that it too big so I can make room for the new. Have to look good when I go to see the daughter.

Congrats Vicki... keep up the good work. It is very frustrating when the scale doesn't move but sometimes we don't realize the NSV's. I was just thinking last night... "OMG, my knee doesn't hurt anymore... AT ALL" I don't even know when it quit bothering me!

Way to go!!!

Way to go! You are doing awsome. That's great to focus on nsv's, especially when the damn scale just isn't moving. Keep doing what your doing and the scale will reflect it.

Congrats Vicki... keep up the good work. It is very frustrating when the scale doesn't move but sometimes we don't realize the NSV's. I was just thinking last night... "OMG, my knee doesn't hurt anymore... AT ALL" I don't even know when it quit bothering me!

Way to go!!!

I know exactly what you mean about the knee pain going away! I have arthritis in both knees and used to have a lot of pain as a result. A couple of weeks ago we went to the zoo and when we were leaving I realized I had walked around the zoo for almost 2 hours and never once thought about my knees! Just like you, I have no idea when they stopped hurting!!

That is wonderful Vicki!

I'm exactly the same. I never saw myself as the huge person I had become. I never looked at myself in a full length mirror and avoided cameras. When i did see a photo of myself I cringed and couldn't believe it was me. Now I look forward to seeing the changes and braving the camera shots

I know I still have a long way to go, but I'm enjoying myself and my new lease on life and can't believe that it was only 3 months ago that I was banded and a different person. Even my boss at work commented on the new me- my attitude and my regained confidence. I love it!

Keep up the great work!

This may be a dumb question, but what does NSV stand for? I know what it means, but the closest I can guess is "No Small Victories"

It stands for non-scale victories...and there are no dumb questions!!!

Love NSVs!!!!