April NSV'S
 

Happy April everyone!!!! We did an absolutely AWESOME job in March, filled up 19 pages worth. Go us!!! Here's to hoping we top that in April.

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, NSV stands for Non Scale Victory. This is where we share our progress on matters that don't necessarily relate to the number on the scale. Such as making a healthier choice, receiving a compliment (we're big on those), fitting into clothing better, something in the fitness area and so on and so on. It is definitely one of my favorite threads, incredibly inspiring and no, it is NOT the time to be humble!!!! So let's start filling er' up.

Tried on my size 10 jeans and they fit perfectly! Finally!

That is great Sheila! Look how close you are to...
 

100lbs lost!

I have had a great weekend of control and healthy choices so I thought I would toot my own horn a bit. First, Kallan and Melissa had their play on Friday. I was racing around trying to get everyone out of the house on time. I had made a lasagna earlier in the week so I had a quick meal ready for them. For myself I tossed some left over salmon and veggies in the oven. It cooked while I did other things and was just as quick as fast food but so much healthier and filling. I wasn't even tempted by the pizza, cake and junk at the cast party. Next, I had promised the kids that if they went all week without me having to nag or yell in the morning getting ready for school I would take them for ice cream on Saturday. I try not to use food as a reward but I was desperate for something that would help our chaotic mornings! :dizzy: Before we went I packed a thermos with LF plain yogurt, berries and a few almonds. So I had a healthy snack out with my family and still stayed on plan. Finally, we went out to dinner last night for my Dad's birthday. I asked for salmon grilled with lemon and steamed veggies. It was delicious and on plan. Interestingly, my mom is doing LA weight loss and has been complaining about her scale not moving much. She ordered what I did and then snagged a minnie burger loaded with mayo and some french fries from my nephew's plate. So she ate her dinner and some of his. She kept trying to get me to have a bite, but I had no desire. I didn't judge her on her choices it just underscored to me that it is not enough to order healthy if you want to see progress you also have to eat healthy!:D So I am feeling good about my weekend on plan and it only makes each day easier.

Kathy

I have one. I have a pair of jeans from Old Navy. I wore them on my honeymoon but after washing and drying them, they didn't fit anymore (they were a bit snug when I wore them anyway). I put them on this morning and was able to button and zip them. They are still a bit snug but it shows progress :)

Great job on the jeans, ladies! What a good feeling, when jeans stop being so snug!! I'm still trying to get into a pair of 14s I bought a while ago. They fit, but they're not quite where I want them to be. In the meantime, my 16s are way too baggy.

As for my NSV -- it was yesterday, and you guys already know what it is. I ran a 10k!!! I still can't believe it, honestly. I ran the whole thing without walking a step, and I finished in 1:12, which is much better than I thought I would do. I ran a 10k!!! Haha, sorry, I still can't get over it. Oh yeah, and I signed up to run a half marathon in September. I'm insane!

I know this isn't an NSV, but I have to share how well my husband did at the race. He ran it in 39:01 and he placed ninth in his age group. He placed 114th overall, and 100th in his gender. Keep in mind -- there were nearly 30,000 people running this race!! I'm so proud of my speedy husband.

Great NSVs ladies!

Great NSV to all....
 

One of my short term goals is to feel comfortable in jeans in time for a GS camping trip with my girls in May. I am not even going to shop for them until then. You make me excited to get there!

LisaMarie: That is just a terrific job! You sound absolutely thrilled with yourself and that is such a great way to be. That speedy hubby better be ready because soon you will be nipping at his heels!;)

Sheila, you just gave me the boost I needed! I'm about 7-8 pounds heavier than you, and I have a pair of size 10 Old Navy shorts that I want to wear SO BAD. I can get them on, buttoned, zipped, yadda, yadda, yadda, but they're just a bit too snug yet to wear. This is it, I'm gonna get that next 1o pounds off and wear those dang shorts!!!!

My NSV for today is that while we were in church this morning DH and DD kept whispering about Taco Bell. Well, when we left church they both pounced right away about going there...it's right across the street from our church. I caved in about going, but since I was driving I pulled across the street and dropped them off, then ran about 1/2 mile down the street to Subway, grabbed some lunch for me, and brought it back to Taco Bell so we could eat together. Their stuff looked good (not great, though), but DH said to me that it wasn't very good, and they should have just gotten Subway! Score one for me!

My NSV for the day...I went shopping for some new spring clothes (since all my old clothes are hanging off me these days) and saw a blouse that I really liked, but the largest size they had was a 10. Well, I figured, what the heck, I'll try it on...and lo and behold, it actually almost fit! It's a bit tight still, but in a few weeks, should fit fine. Of course, I bought it immediately.

SOOOO happy to read about all those clothes that are fitting so nicely ladies!!!:carrot: GREAT WORK!!!:carrot:

My NSV comes in comparing a picture of myself at my oldest son's track meet in 2001 (toward the beginning of my weight loss journey) and a picture my youngest son took of me yesterday at HIS track meet. In both pictures I have a similar style coat on -you know, one of those MOM coats with pockets for everything! One coat is size 3X, and my NEW Coat is a Misses LARGE. Even my previously famous THUNDER THIGHS look small in my size 16 jeans. My other jeans were size 26.

It made me feel good that even though this weight loss thing seems to be taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R, I can really see a huge difference in the pictures of myself.

Cheryl

Great going everyone!!!! Lots of great jeans stories and clothing in general. Gosh, this is just great. LisaMarie, I am astouned by you. I can't imagine how proud of yourself you must be. WAY TO GO!!!!!

My 19 year old daughter is home from college. She just went shopping with friends and bought a really nice shirt. Size medium. She's about 135 lbs, 5 foot one. Well, she tells me "Ma, try it on". So I did and it fit. I'm wearing the same size as my 135 lb 19 year old daughter. Granted it's a bit looser on her, but not much and that is definitely the size I would need. She told me I can borrow it any time I'd like. This is really mind-boggling to me. When I was a teenager and a young adult, my mother, sister and I used to share clothing all the time. I had a very young, hip mother. This just brings back so many memories. It's something I've always dreamed about. My other 2 daughters are both thinner then my oldest and I won't be sharing clothing with them anytime soon. Maybe my middle one, but not my youngest, she's 15 and 99 lbs. But I'm still pretty excited.

Robin, a MEDIUM! Wow! Think back to last summer -- would you have imagined you could wear a medium before a year was up? Amazing!! :)

That reminds me of my own sizing NSV. I'm so used to always getting the biggest size available and HOPING it will fit, and it's hard to wrap my brain around the fact that I don't have to do that anymore. With races, you always get t-shirts. I got one for training, I got one for running, and I got one just for signing up for the half marathon. When I picked up the two t-shirts the other night, I realized I'd put down 2X on the signup sheet. I took one look at that shirt and knew it would swallow me. The girl giving out shirts stepped down to the XL and then looked at me and said..."Nope, let's take a look at the large." I ended up taking that home, and it's actually a bit loose (they're made pretty big, it seems). The half marathon shirt is not as big on me, but it's a large and it's definitely comfortable. My skinny husband and I both got shirts for signing up, and I got the same size as him for the first time ever!

Wow, everybody! The 1- and 2-sizes smaller clothes, the 10 km run, the great food choices, sometimes beside others' not so great choices - what's this forum coming to? I guess we're all BIG TIME losers!!!;)

The other day, my hubby and I met another couple for coffee. I had an herbal tea, as bare coffee was not too appealing. Our friends hadn't seen us in a while, although we've played telephone tag and spotty email. Anyway, Sharon noticed right away that I'd lost some weight, even pegged the amount - and I thought I'd hidden it pretty well in baggy clothes! Then my husband remarked about how much better I was moving, holding myself well, and showing better stamina! :dizzy: :carrot:

Great NSV's ladies!

Great job everyone. So exciting to have so many NSV this early in the month.

I have two:
First I hit onederland (ok it's really a scale victory but still proud!)

Second, I have a black, linen, tunic style shirt that I bought in the summer of 2003 when I was in England. It has fit me at the time, as time went on it got a little tight, I haven't worn it in awhile and wore it the other day. I thought it was a little big when I put it on. Then I went out with my sister and said something how it was big on me. Her responce was, "no that is way to big on you. It doesn't fit." I love the shirt butsometimes its nice when things don't fit because they are too big. We ended up planning to go thrift shore shopping in a couple of weeks so I can get some clothing that fits me.

Today I wore a dress - which in and of itself is amazing, since I don't typically wear dresses or skirts (unless they are long). This one was knee length.

Anyways, several people told me how nice I looked today. And it was about me and how I'm carrying myself and the clothes - not the "oh, your hair looks nice today" type of compliments.

I was just thinking about my day and the exercise I got today. I try to walk outside on nice days, use the elliptical on other days. Today was 72*, but they're promising 40's by mid week. I didn't want to let the last warm day for a week or so slip by, so I headed out for my walk. Without really thinking, I drank a 20 oz flavored water shortly before I left. I wasn't gone from the house but about 15 minutes when I had to go to the bathroom. I struggled with the decision of do I turn around and go back home, or do I keep going? After a little thought I remembered there's a bathroom in the park that I walk to, but it's about 1/2 mile past where I usually turn around to head back home. I decided today that I could just walk that extra bit to the park restroom and not mess up my walk at all, and I did! It only took me a few minutes longer to get to that public RR than it would have to get back home, where I probably would have stayed rather than going back out for another half-walk. This is a definite NSV for me, because I KNOW that in the past I would've just gone home!

Okay I feel a little silly posting this but I'm just starting out.

I exercised today. (or technically yesterday... I stay up too late..)

I know, I know... I'm sure this wouldn't be considered worth posting for anyone else but exercise is a huge mental obstacle for me and I haven't done it for ages but I decided I'm going to do 360 minutes on the elliptical in April and instead of putting it off until the 25th or something I got started with my goal on the 1st.

Tiggre, do not feel silly about posting your exercise achievement as an NSV, it's a great one! Anything that is a big obstacle for you and that you are able to overcome definitely counts as a significant step. Congrats, and keep it up (and let us know about your further successes)

Way to go!
 

Way to go Tiggre.. don't think that getting some exercise in isn't worthy of a mention. Sometimes the hardest thing I do all week is make myself go outside for a run. So, good job!

Wow, everybody is having a great month already. No NSV's for me yet, but hoping to get into all of my 18's easily by the end of the month. I hate the way clothes are sized. I have some 18's that are already falling off, and the rest I still can't zip. ARGH!

Good job ladies, and everyone have a great Monday!

Dee

Great job ladies on all the NSV's.

This morning I noticed that I'm getting arm MUSCLES. Since losing wt. my arms have looked scrawny and saggy. I am now increasing muscles and my endurance and tolerance for Hard Physical Labor has increased dramatically. Yesterday my DH cut down an old Walnut tree and just left it on the ground. (He got busy working on my son's jeep). I moved and stacked that whole darn tree by Myself. I put in a total of 7 1/2 hrs. doing gardening, mowing, raking, and moving that tree yesterday. I could never, never, never have done this in the past.

Way to go, Lily! I'm sure if you're anything like me, once in awhile you sit back and look at something you've done, and you end up being totally amazed with yourself.....you are doing so fabulous, keep it up!

I went to a store this weekend and tried on a few shirts. I'm used to picking out a few, trying them on, them not fitting and being disappointed. I grabbed a handful --- tried them on. And they all fit. A few were still tighter than I would wear them.... but they all went on, and came off with no problems. I don't think that has ever happened before.

And I had a picture taken of me... and for the first time since I can remember, my thought wasn't "ugh, I'm so fat." It was "OMG, I look skinny!" I still have a long way to go, but that is the most amazing feeling!!

Mine is a clothes one today too. A good friend of mine sent me 2 brand new pairs of Liz jeans - size 20. I wore a 28 when I started this new life Dec. 29th. I got those jeans out and tried them on today.....THEY FIT!!!! They're a tad snug, but I know within a week or two, they'll fit perfectly!! It just amazes me I have gone down 4 pants sizes in 13 weeks. I LOVE my new life!!

I actually have another one to share. I have a bigger bottom than top so I've been wearing "regular" size tops along with the smallest plus size tops I can find. I bought a pair of size 18 petite (misses petite not plus!) pants as my goal pants. I put them on yesterday just to see where I was. I was surprised to find that they fit in the leg and thigh but need a few inches off the tummy to fit. At this rate, I will be out of plus sizes completely within the next 20-30 lbs. It is a scary thing.

I forgot, here is another one for the weekend! It felt sooo good to go out to eat and be in CONTROL. We went to an ATV open house and stopped at a Ryans Steakhouse for lunch on the way home. LOTS of choices - it is a huge buffet type place. I just ignored everything, I got a nice beautiful salad, dressing on the side in a little cup, and then had a small piece of grilled chicke, a small piece of baked fish, and a TON of vegies....lots of fresh broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, some cooked cabbage. NOT ONE ROLL touched my lips.:D I didn't even go look at the dessert table - just sipped my ice water while DH ate his. I just FELT so great about being able to go there, and BE in CONTROL. By golly, I think I've got it!:carrot: ;)

Great NSV's everyone. This is also one of my favorite threads, the first one I looked for since I haven't been on line much lately. My life has been a little crazy, first going out of town after my daughter had surgery and now my son is in the hospital with a terrible staph infection. Thank God he is doing better. My NSV come from running and spending so much time at the hospital. I have, without really thinking too much about it, made better choices than I would have in the same situation in the past. I have made time at home for a good breakfast before rushing to the hospital, instead of using this as an excuse to stopping for fast food. I've made better choices for meals at the hospital and after leaving in the evening. And the biggest one, when he has been asleep or down for test and I've had a chance to leave his room, I'd go get a bottle of water and go for a walk instead of going to the vending machine for junk food. Much better coping skills than I had in the past.

Tiggre: Keep posting those NSV's even if you think they're small. We can't all run a 10K!!! (Great job, Lisa, I'd still be giggling to myself if I had done that!! Wow!)

I have a little NSV too: I had spent all day Sunday at my daughter's volleyball tourney. Didn't get much of a chance to eat unless it would have been the nachos or frito pie at the concession stand (I passed on that!). After the tournament, she wanted a DQ blizzard. So, we went there and got one for her. I was tempted, but didn't cave! I just took a bite of hers and that was enough.

Sharon, so sorry your son has been sick. Glad to hear that he is doing better. And, glad to hear that you've been able to utilize some good coping skills.

Wow, these are some tremendous NSV's! I really need to come here and read these anytime I think I need to go off-plan. I want to wear smaller clothes, build muscles and run a marathon, too!

I went to beautiful Chapel Hill, North Carolina, last weekend. I realized before the trip that it was going to be warm and I had no shorts. I did not wear shorts last summer at all. Even if I had, they would not have fit.

So I went to the dressing room with size 12 and size 14 shorts. The size 12 shorts fit great! Even better than the size, though, was how I felt in them. I felt HOTZ.

Then, I wore them out on my trip. It was really liberating to go out, bare, imperfect legs and all, and feel confident. What a great feeling.

Last night, I went closet shopping. I don't have very many clothes that I couldn't wear at some point but I had some clothes that I had bought, washed, dried and didn't fit anymore and others I had bought that didn't fit but i was too stubborn to return. So now I have some more work clothes without shopping :)

WTG everyone on the great NSV's.

Yesterday I worked 2 hrs. in my flower beds and felt so sore and exhausted. I came in and took a long nap. Cooked dinner. Then went back outside and worked 2 more hrs. even though I didn't particularly want to.

I got the push mower out and mowed the yard yesterday. We have just shy of one acre here, so that was an hour workout! (I used to use the riding mower, but I figured what an easy way to get more exercise in and get some sun too!) It sure felt good to do it too!

I have been MIA for awhile now. I have been having a bit of a motivation crisis. I have been stuck in the same 5 lbs for so long regardless of what I do that it just has seemed pointless.

But my NSV is that I am posting & that I am still going to continue with herbal magic - even though I want to just put the whole thing away & just accept that I will be fat forever.

I still don't feel very hopeful but I know things will swing back around again.

Hang in there, Lifeguard. It is never to late to make a comeback! We are here as your cheering section! You have already come a LONG way!! Just repeat what you have already done and you will be really close to ONEderland! Keep your eyes on the small goals; you will make it.

Lifeguard, I was just thinking about you a few minutes ago and wondering where you went! I thought you might have moved to another part of 3FC and we just werent hearing from you here on the 100lb club. I'm so glad you decided to check in. Please don't give up on yourself and this journey. So many of us have been struggling, but I think that is just a major part of our journey. We are re-learning how to eat and live. Hang in there! You'll make it!

More energy!
 

Hi Everyone!

Great goin' on those NSVs!!:carrot:

Here's mine:

I've been out in the yard now for two days getting yardwork done like several others of you have mentioned you are busy doing. I have quite a few flower beds to weed and mulch and also had a couple of stubborn bushes to take out as well. I've been weeding and mulching and pulling and using the pitchfork to put more mulch in my cart. My neighbor came over a few minutes ago just before I came in for a break and some food. She said, "Cheryl! Where do you get all your energy? I've been watching you now for TWO DAYS, and you just keep at it! Aren't you SORE?" I thought about it for a second, and thought, "Wow! No! I'm NOT sore! I'm not even very tired!" I said to her that I've been doing yoga and Turbo Jam and also HipHopAbs and find that all the exercise I've been doing PLUS not lugging EIGHTY EXTRA POUNDS along with me every single step has really given me a lot more extra energy to keep going!"

I'm heading back out now to keep working. It feels good to have more energy than I used to have, and it was an unexpected plus to have someone notice it, too!:)

Cheryl

Good one Cheryl! Way to go!

I just wanted to add, Lifeguard, that I'm glad to see you back. You are missed when you are gone!!

I had a little NSV. A friend of mine here at work asked for MY help to keep him on tract. What is funny is that he is 9 years younger than me and fit. Oh, and he's a guy. Married to a very pretty woman and he has 2 beautiful kids. We're just very good friends. (why did I feel the need to explain all of that?? Ha!) Anyway, he said that he feels like he can talk to me about this without feeling stupid. He just wants someone to keep him accountable to eat right and exercise and he knows I've been working at it, too.

rockinrobin, I followed your lead and went and got fitted for proper bra's. Yippee, they finally fit. It wasn't at all embarassing and the sales lady was very helpful. I got the 36C that has a full cup and now no falling out of it when I bend over. You inspired me to finally do this and I thank you.

My NSV for today: My husband was rubbing my sore legs (because of a change in my workout) and without being prompted he said, "Honey, I can tell you are losing weight; your legs are smaller." That was unexpected and very special! :smug: