Congratulations! You have done an excellent job! Buying straight off the rack is a lot of fun for sure. Debbie

Thanks Mary, and yes it is a personal decision we all have to make. I have been needing/wanting a TT since the birth of my 3rd son, and that was nearly 14 years ago, so you know what condition my skin on my abdomen is like after 5 pregnancies and then becoming obese. Yikes! Debbie

Height 5'3" Surgery Date 2/16/04 Highest known weight 315 Weight day of surgery 306 Current weight 166 (loss of 140lbs!) Goal: 125 (41 lbs from goal) However, I'll be honest...I already feel a success...at this point my life is changed to the point where if for some reason I never lost another pound I would still feel a success. At this point I enjoy exercising (NEVER thought I'd say that - I'm actually doing an hour of cardio kickboxing PLUS an hour of Step Aerobics every Monday and Wednesday AND exercise on 3 more days a week - Amazing...never thought I could or Would do that)...I enjoy horsing around, moving and generally living life. I'm terribly excited for my first cedar point visit since surgery...the first ride I'm going on is the Raptor...which was the last ride I attempted to go on but left in tears when the operator couldn't fasten me in because I was too large. I'm looking forward to roller blading, biking and hiking this spring. And I've been given the ok by my doctor to start trying for our first baby in August...which we're terribly anxious for. For me the "goal" is based on my height and nothing more. While I do plan to lose more...every day I'm losing less and less of a need to look at the numbers...and instead concentrate on how my body moves and how I fit clothes. God Bless you on your journey, Jennifer

Paula, you silly girl! You haven't lived a boring life... I bet most people have never met anyone famous. Heck, I don't even remember meeting the one person that I met . Wanda

Hey Wanda, I never realized until now what a boring life I've led. 54 years old and never met anyone famous!! Paula 299/125 P.S. I do have a congratulatory card sent to my mother and father and signed by the 1st Richard Daley, Mayor or Chicago. But I guess quite a few kids born in Chicago in the early 50's got that!