Today I had an unexpected and surprisingly satisfying NSV. I noticed that my belly button shrank. It's about 50% shallower than it used to be! Who knew I would be so pleased about less depth to my belly button? ?

I bought a couple of sweaters from Ann Taylor Loft on sale because I have nothing for the colder weather. The size small was not the NSV - but the freedom to not feel like I “shouldn’t” wear a sweater with horizontal stripes was a big one! I didn’t realize how much my mom had instilled that in my head until I was looking at the website and purposefully skipping the ones with horizontal stripes because it would make me look bigger. Well, I got it in the mail yesterday and I think I can now say wearing horizontal stripes will be part of my life! PS - I think anyone at any size should wear what they want and what they feel good in - but my mom hammered into me all of these things about being heavy from like middle school on (suck in your stomach, be in the back behind people so your full body isn’t on display, no horizontal stripes, etc.) so this is just 30 years of baggage I’m trying to unload. Wearing horizontal stripes is major for me.

About to watch the Patriots game with my hubby and I am finally able to fit back into my womens jersey. Feeling super feminine and flirty.

5 hours ago, Crick said:

The size small was not the NSV - but the freedom to not feel like I “shouldn’t” wear a sweater with horizontal stripes was a big one! I didn’t realize how much my mom had instilled that in my head until I was looking at the website and purposefully skipping the ones with horizontal stripes because it would make me look bigger.

Yeah, I was overweight as a kid and got bigger as adult- I was told that horizontal strips around the belly make you look like a globe with the equator around the middle. Naturally, I have avoided horizontal stripes all of my life. Maybe it is time to revisit this fashion choice, now that I'm not so big anymore.

26 minutes ago, billho said:

Yeah, I was overweight as a kid and got bigger as adult- I was told that horizontal strips around the belly make you look like a globe with the equator around the middle. Naturally, I have avoided horizontal stripes all of my life. Maybe it is time to revisit this fashion choice, now that I'm not so big anymore.

Go for it - I’m trying to get rid of all of those negative things I was told growing up and, damnit, it starts with stripes. ?

6 hours ago, Crick said:

The size small was not the NSV - but the freedom to not feel like I “shouldn’t” wear a sweater with horizontal stripes was a big one!

An oldie but a goodie:

HORIZONTAL STRIPES OR BUST!!!

42 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

An oldie but a goodie:

HORIZONTAL STRIPES OR BUST!!!

Amazing! Hope to be able to wear a dress like that after plastic surgery!!!

Not doing a “sideways shuffle” to get down the aisle to my airport seat! I can walk straight back now without hitting people with my hips/sides!

On 9/12/2021 at 1:49 PM, Crick said:

I bought a couple of sweaters from Ann Taylor Loft on sale because I have nothing for the colder weather. The size small was not the NSV - but the freedom to not feel like I “shouldn’t” wear a sweater with horizontal stripes was a big one! I didn’t realize how much my mom had instilled that in my head until I was looking at the website and purposefully skipping the ones with horizontal stripes because it would make me look bigger. Well, I got it in the mail yesterday and I think I can now say wearing horizontal stripes will be part of my life! PS - I think anyone at any size should wear what they want and what they feel good in - but my mom hammered into me all of these things about being heavy from like middle school on (suck in your stomach, be in the back behind people so your full body isn’t on display, no horizontal stripes, etc.) so this is just 30 years of baggage I’m trying to unload. Wearing horizontal stripes is major for me.

When I got close to my goal, one day I noticed everything I bought recently (mostly summer T-shirt dresses) had horizontal stripes and I never had a second thought about it in the store! Now, I try to buy bright colors like red, lemon yellow, lime green because ...well, because I can! I figure if I'm purchasing a size XS, I can get whatever I want...it doesn't have to be black!

On 9/12/2021 at 4:08 PM, ShoppGirl said:

About to watch the Patriots game with my hubby and I am finally able to fit back into my womens jersey. Feeling super feminine and flirty.

I feel the same way about my old Dan Marino Jersey I put on on game day. Oh Sorry....the Phins edged you out!!

I guess my strange one at the moment is that I can cross my legs!! I find myself doing it a lot now…

I was in the car and I just crossed my legs over and it’s so comfy! I had far to much thigh chunk to do this before…

it’s these little things that mean the world ?

Last night was Back to School night for my 1st grader. Well you know how small their little desks and chairs are, and they had the parents sit and their child's desk.

I fit perfectly! I think I looked really cute sitting there too, if I do say so myself. I would have taken a selfie if I could have gotten away without anyone noticing. Ha ha ha!!

NSV update - (plus a scale related victory 'cause i am so excited i can't help it)

checking back in for September. THis month I have noticed...

1. Sitting "criss-cross applesauce" is comfortable and I have so much room in my regular office chair that I find myself crossing my legs inside my chair while I work.
2. I notice my period bloat. I never used to understand it when women would complain that their clothing felt tight because of period bloat, I mean - that is how I felt all of the time. Now I get it!
3. I can't get over feeling and seeing my bones. The little bones in my wrists and feet, bones in my chest, my ribs, my jaw and cheekbones, and my wonky collarbone that I broke as a kid all amaze me. Sometimes I just sit around discreetly feeling my bones in awe. ?
4. Ok, throwing in one scale victory, because it's a big deal for me....I hit onederland! I've now lost slightly more than half my excess body weight. It feels amazing.

Edited September 27, 20214 yr by chiquitatummy

Feet get thinner. I remember always having to get extra wide shoes...

I went to my doctor the other day, and the receptionist didn't recognize me! Also, when the nurse went to take my bp, there was a large cuff attached to the machine, and she changed it for the regular cuff! For many years now it's been the opposite so that felt so good!

Congratulations on the awesome NSV's and your amazing scale victory! You have done so well! I have 13 pounds to go to onederland and I can't wait to join you!