Two things:

1. The tight chairs at work in the conference room? Are no longer tight anymore. Yay!

2. I've pretty much kicked the "fast food hamburger" craving down to monthly now, if that. Except around that time of the month, I usually thing about getting my old-time traditional value meal at McDonald's, and nowadays I can think "hrm, it really isn't very good, if I want something REALLY good I should cook up some <insert reasonably healthy though higher calorie than a normal meal> food instead."

Rabid, congrats on the conference chair thing. I remember the first time that I didn't need a belt extender for an airplane (A lot of my weight is in my belly). Also, I don't know what it is but in the past year, things I used to have as my comfort foods, no longer comfort me. They aren't as good as I remember for some reason. I have never really cared for fast food so I count myself lucky in that respect but I used to love ice cream sandwiches, ritz crackers with cheese/meat slices, chocolate covered pretzels, etc. I think I still like those things to some degree but they disappoint me in some way when I eat them, like I used to think they were better. Once in a while I'll make turkey burgers stuffed with various spices and veggies, slap it on the foreman grill and it is very good. You might want to try something like that and see how you like it.

Ok now for my NSV. Suprisingly, I'm not sore today but yesterday I went on a 4 mile hike which lasted 3 hours. It was the first hike of the year for me as the weather was nice and my previous "best hike" was 3.5 miles. I was also proud in that there were no other hikers besides my BF and me, but we did see mountain bikers on the trails. We took two small breaks and ate our healthy snacks (fresh fruit, nuts) and drank water. I like walking but I like it better when it is interesting and hiking makes it interesting and the 3 hours hardly felt like 3 hours.

Great news everyone. Awesome!!! NSV's. Doing all this great stuff. Fitting into all of these smaller sizes. I have to visit more often. This thread is really inspirational.

Kykaree, I too want to know your ab secrets. I just got a stability ball for that very reason.

My NSV (besides a great dr's visit in a seperate thread) is that over a week ago I bought a quart of ice cream to serve at a party I had on Oscar night. It occured to me last night that the left overs (about a cup) had been sitting in my freezer all week with out me even noticing. That's a remarkable lack of food focus for me.

Keep those great NSV's coming

Denise

I became a grandma this past Saturday - how cool is that? I have a very cute little granddaughter who is already the apple of my eye. Something else to keep me inspired to get this weight off so I can be a healthy, fun grandma for her for a long, long time.

This will keep me going for a good long while.

DNR

DNR - Congratulations on the birth of your new granddaughter! Little girls are so precious! Hope Mamma and baby are healthy and happy!

~Dee

Congratulations, DNR! How lovely.

Congratulations DNR!

Congratulations DNR!

Oh, I finally have one of these.

My measurements betwen March 1 and 10, have gone down 8 inches! I fell really good about that!

Nice one, Donna!

My NSV is kind of an odd one, as it's related to the scale going up! Yep, I gained a pound this week, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but it doesn't bother me.

First, I had lost 8 pounds in the 3 previous weeks (a LOT for me), and had been sick and super hydrated the week before. I think it’s water weight. Second, I did everything right last week. Third, and this is the big one, I can't control the scale, only my behavior. My behavior was fine. As long as I am focused and in control, the WEIGHT WILL COME OFF. Finally, I am on no timetable. In fact, losing 70 pounds in 8 months is way ahead of where I thought I'd be now!

So, I gained a pound this week and have a peace of mind I never thought possible in that situation.

I love your NSV, wyllenn! Especially this:

Very true.

Thanks, Ali. It really felt like a bit of an epiphany. I'm started to really know deep down inside that I am doing things I want to do for the rest of my life, and that they WORK. I'm kind of boggled by that, as I always felt I was fighting myself AND the scale with previous weight loss attempts.

So, screw the scale, I'm just gonna keep going.

That's fantastic Wyllenn! You're absolutely right, if you're eating is good, you're exercising, and doing all the right things then you're definately doing something good for your body. The scale will catch up, and when it does, it's still only a number.

~Dee

My NSV happened at our "Wellness screening" at work last week. My cholesterol measured at 182! That is the first time in my ADULT LIFE that my cholesterol has measured below 200. Eating healthy seems to have made a big difference, even though my weight is still high. Yeah!

Keep up the great work everyone! I love reading everyone's NSV's; they are very inspiring.

Sara