Today was a milestone for me... I have used a motorized chair off and on for 5 years ..but all day/every day (24/7) for the last 3 years...Reason: i have had 2 back surgeries (have some disc fused) & have arthritis in my back, hips and knees (to name a few) ...Doctor wants to replace both my knees, but that's another post.

Since my WLS, i have tried to walk a bit everyday...at first, just around the island in the kitchen... Then from one end of the house to the other... Last Monday i added short, slow walks outside with my husband...(he would ride in my motorized chair in case i needed it). The walks gave me the confidence i needed...

Today, when i woke up, i said, "lets see how long we can go today without using the chair." well, i went from 5:45am to 5 pm...i was so happy, i cried when i told my husband after he got home from work... (he thought i hurt myself...sweet man, so caring)

Physically, I am very sore....but mentally i feel GREAT!

Thank you for listening

Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous Nsv!! I'm so impressed with your determination!! Keep up the GREAT work!!!

thank you Beth.

today i was OUT of wheelchair until 6:30 pm...another good day...

TJMom, I think you're doing great!! I keep saying I couldn't walk before surgery because I couldn't go from my front door to my car without being out of breath, but you're blowing me out of the water!!! Every day you are getting a little stronger and one day you'll be posting that you "couldn't walk before surgery" and that you're now using that wheelchair to grow flowers in the back 40!

Great NSV! I hope you'll keep us updated on your progress. I wonder how you could track the lessening need for the wheelchair on a ticker?

Outstanding!!!! You are on a roll... Err, umm I mean walk:)keep it up. You're turning this NSV into an NSV V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

Lissa and O T ... both your posts were very uplifting.... thank you and when i am no longer using my chair...i just might drive it out to the back fence, put a wash tub in the seat and plant a climbing plant of some kind in the tub to overtake the chair!!! that's a visual that brings a smile to my face!!!

TJmom...you are another winner...I did a little happy dance for you! Before you know it you will be happy dancing! Keep fighting the good fight! xo

Yeahhhhhhh I glad for u each is another small step one day at a time I'm 2 years. Being sleeved I feel great keep up great work AWESOME

thank you both...your comments are so supportive and encouraging...

Each morning, i sit on the side of the bed with my sore back and knees screaming at me for the strain i put them both through yesterday, by walking.

i pick up my phone, sign into VST and re-read every ones posts.... it warms my soul to have all this support!!!

i look at my motorized chair, and say: "not today. today i am walking. 1 hour or 10 hours, it doesn't matter. i AM going to walk today! "

thank you all for keeping me motivated!

Hope u are feeling well today.

Update time!!!! How's you doing??

We need to hand out a NSV of the year award. This takes it.

thank you all so much!!! your kind words encourage me to keep going....

Saturday i walked all day... not just around the house, but had my husband ride the motorized chair beside me and we went for a walk down our driveway.... when i got to the point where my legs felt like rubber, i sat down for a few minutes...i was/am a bit stubborn - so i did not drive back. I just rested, got up and walked home. (its not far, probably 6 car lengths, but it is gravel. so a bit unsteady) AND we went to a BBQ.... i walked the entire day!!!

QUESTION: Does anyone have a problem sleeping?

(sorry to be talking so much) .... last night when i went to bed - (and i was really sleepy from being outside most of the day) - but as soon as my head hit the pillow, my eyes popped open! i did not sleep all night! and haven't been to sleep yet today... just wondering if anyone else has problems sleeping...

thanks again for all your encouragement!!!

Do it all the time not sure why that happens but I can usually go back to sleep in an hr hopefully lol but yes I really do. I'm glad to hear u did so well today

I have trouble sleeping but I always have. I was taking Ambien before surgery. After surgery I didnt sleep well for like a whole month. Dr says, oh, Ambien doesn't work well after sleeve. So now I take something else.

A lot of people that have had the surgery said their bodies just do not need that much sleep anymore & all the extra energy makes it tough to sleep.

What a wonderful story and it's clear you are very proud of your accomplishment. You should be. Good luck walking in the coming days. I hope there are many more for you.