Non Scale Victories

Several other WLS bloggers that I follow talk about NSVs or non-scale victories.  These are victories, or milestones that have been achieved due to weight loss that have are not measured on a scale.  I guess I kind of have as well, I just have not labeled them NSVs.

My NSVs  mean a lot to me because my lifestyle has really changed since my surgery in October of last year.  I think I have made great progress, even though my weight loss has kind of plateaued.  I am bummed about that, but I still feel good about what I have achieved so far.

• I dropped 112 pounds.
• I’m only 61 pounds from my goal weight.
• I went down from a size 32 to a size 14-16.
• I can walk.
• I can breathe.
• I can walk and breathe at the same time.
• I can walk a long, long time before I have to take a break and rest.
• I feel more confident.
• I feel healthier.
• My blood pressure is normal without medications.
• My cholesterol is normal.
• My triglycerides are normal.
• My back hurts a lot less.
• My feet hurt a lot less and do not swell quite as much or as often.
• I’ve noticed guys checking me out.  
• I suddenly do not feel invisible.
• I can stand on the metro without severe back pain.
• I can run to catch a metro train if I am running late.
• I sometimes run across the street.
• I walk through my neighborhood on an almost daily basis.

Before the surgery, I was very sick and had great difficulty walking and breathing.  I was pretty heavily medicated for my blood pressure.  I had managed to get my cholesterol under control, but my triglycerides were off the charts high.   I feared that my poor little heart would give out on me.  And I felt just awful all of the time.  

I may not have hit my goal weight yet, and maybe I never will.  But I am so happy with the progress that I have made and I feel great!

OH!  And I colored my hair using the professional stuff my sister used a few months ago.  I think I did a pretty good job.