Oh, kayaking, thats another.

I love all of yours JJ~~I have had one NSV already since my surgery 25 days ago--I can wear a diamond necklace from my hubby that was too tight before my surgery! Not a huge thing but made me happy! The next thing I am looking forwrad to is a disney cruise next month with my grandkids! I want to be able to keep up better!!

Thanks for the reflection! We have LOTS to look forward to!

NSV's
1. putting on my socks and tying shoes without straining.

2. going to the gym

3 walking as far as I want to

4 doing long stairs without feeling like my heart would explode

5. sitting in a booth

6. sitting in those bolted down chairs in McDonalds

7. Fastening my seat belt over my coveralls and hunting clothes.

8. dragging and field dressing a deer without nearly passing out.

9. NO INSULIN!

10. Diabetes defeated, now an "Resolved".

11. can cut, split and load firewood with ease.

12. can get in my pickup without heaving. (bottom of door comes to my waist)

13. Bike don't hurt my back. ( butt is another story)

14. Can climb ladder. Cut low limbs off my Maples from a ladder last week.

15. Can scratch my back!

16 could not use my CPAP if I wanted to.

17 got rid of most of my clothes and more to go soon.

18. can use a normal bathroom stall

19 don't stand out as the biggest guy in a crowd.

20. can buy clothesthat fit off the rack.

21. can get pull on boots on without sweat, pliers and swearing!

22. Can shovel snow without heart beating me to death.

Lots more! These I got now and more coming in the future I am certain!

EM, sometimes the smallest things can be so big and mean so much. Theres a discussion on the boards about how overweight people are treated and I really think that smaller or skinny people just don't get it. They make comments and would propably think some of our NSVs are stupid, but its because they are incompetent to our lifestyles and the way we have to live. Great Job on the necklace.

I love your lists! I can second most of them. Here are some of mine.

1. Being able to fit in airplane seat without having to hold breath for the trip.
2. Being able to use the bathroom on the plane if needed. (and only if needed)
3. Being able to fit on amusement park rides.
4. Being able to sit comfortably in a restaurant booth.
5. Not having the car lean to my side noticeable when I get in.
6. Being able to take stairs. without needing oxygen
7. Wear a regular johnny at the doctors
8. Use a regular sized blood pressure cuff.
9. Enter and finish a 5K for charity.
10. Ride all 44 miles of the Santa Monica bike path.
11. Get a massage.
12. Dance in public.
13. Join a yoga class.
14. Sit comfortably in a movie theater seat.

8.

3 months post RNY: I can walk and walk and walk. I fit on a snowmobile with my husband and can wear snow clothes. I went down in shirt, pants, and shoe sizes. I wake up ready to face the day. I feel better in general and I am just a happier person. Got rid of a lot of medications. Realizing I could breath and sit in a booth was nice. I do more housework than before...because I can AND want to. Then there are the ones I didn't expect like: wanting to eat healthier. Wanting to exercise. Wanting to get out of the house. Keep on keepin on JJ!

Oh and I forgot the best one so far: #15....way way better!

three and a half weeks out. can wear my wedding band again. Can put my shoes on easier. When I get into my shower stall, My stomach doesn't rub against the door anymore. hahaha. Oh and my nightgowns are sliding off my one shoulder. lolololol.

Wrapping a normal sized bath towel around myself and being covered!
Wearing my daughter's pants! (Size 6) which I have never been!
Exercising for an hour without stopping.
Running a 5k
Wearing skinny jeans with boots.
Having my doctor not beat me up about my weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar! (This is the best one of all!) I am healthy!

It's been a daily thing.... So many little things that make life easier an more enjoyable.

Love these!!

Hmmmmm.Since you are a guy, you'll have longer "equipment" for #15, too!! ;) I've been told the rule of thumb is 1 inch for every 30 lbs.

Some of my NSVs..

1. smaller clothes = smaller suitcases (or more clothes fitting into the suitcase).
2. Buying shoes anywhere!! (and they are cute, now!!)
3. Getting up off the floor isn't a chore.
4. I can cross my legs!!
5. Not feeling awkward when I sit (not knowing what to do with my arms).
6. Wearing boots (because I can wear skinny jeans!!).
7. Not being taller than my husband when we are sitting (he's 6 ft tall and I'm 5 ft tallyes, my ass was that big!!).
8. Walking without pain or breaking into a sweat.
9. Reaching every area of my body without contortions (helps with personal hygiene as well as #15).
10. Fitting on the massage table.
11. Not having to look for the sturdiest chair in the room.
12. Not having to look for the least crowded path through a crowded room (being afraid I couldn't squeeze between 2 chairs).
13. Hugs feel closer.
14. Not being the biggest person in the room.
15. Not feeling conspicuous when other people talk about being on a diet or wanting to lose weight.
16. For the first time in my life I don't actually want to lose weight.
17. Not lying about my weight on my driver's license.
18. Not being embarrassed at the doctor's office when I have to get on the scale.
19. Blood pressure cuffs actually fit my arms!!
20. Blood draws are much easier!
21. Being able to buy/wear tourist clothing (Disneyland shirts, etc).
22. Being able to wear a swimsuit in public without shame.
23. I can find coats that fit!!
24. My husband and son can pick me up!!
25. Not breaking into a sweat just getting dressed in the morning.
26. Watching people's jaws drop when I tell them I used to weigh over 300 lbs.

I hate to tell you this, but #20 may not actually come trueSitting was very painful for awhile after I lost weight - no more padding on my tail-bone. Come to think of it, I haven't had that problem in awhilenot sure if I got accustomed to it or what happened.

Thanks for the reminder of the little (and not so little) victories along the way!

JJ

That's awesome JJ! It's just an over all lifestyle improvement.

I think the "judged" thing is real. I'll never forget being on jury duty, we had to sit in these rows of chairs. There were about 5 rows, and not one perspective juror who came into the court sat in my row... incredible...like I had the plague...

They don't know that we notice this.

Lol, tjord. Cant, wait for that one.

Thank You so much everyone, this is EXACTLY what i needed to get rid of some discouragement..

I feel like a dummy for asking this but, what is a NSV? I can tell it looks like a bucket list of sorts but what does it stand for, lol? I'm loving that I found this group, I think is what I needed.