At goal.....

When I started this thing out I told myself that I wasn't going to go by a goal weight. Instead I was going to go by body fat %. I had my 6 week checkup with my doc the other day. Not only was my bloodwork wonderful but my body fat percentage is within normal range. 27%!! He said that I could still lose about 10 lbs and be healthy but any more than that and I would have to start cheating on my diet! He said he would be much happier if I just tried to maintain where I am. Everybody was going nuts because I am so ahead of where they thought I would be right now. I am also happy to report that my cholesterol went from 184 to 90!! I feel so great! I am finally "normal". I never thought this surgery would make me a super model (though I have been considering doing some modeling) but all I ever wanted was to be normal and healthy. To walk into a room and the first thought people have about me has nothing to do with my weight. I was telling my friend this the other day and she said "But honey, they still do." and my heart dropped until she said "They say to themselves 'Who's that tiny cute thing?'" It has been such an amazing journey and I am very thankful to have been able to share it with such an amazing group of women (and you too John, tee hee). We can all hold our heads high and know that no matter what people have said to us about this being "extreme" or "crazy" we did something amazing for ourselves... decided we weren't going to settle for this continuing to be a problem in our lives. Decided we weren't going to allow ourselves to be beaten by this thing. We have taken control of ourselves and our own destiny. It is such a liberating feeling... just the psychological point of view alone. It is also a feeling of hope... hope that no mountain is immovable, no problem too tough. It is work... we all know this is no quick fix and it takes daily attention, motivation, self-awareness. We also all know it isn't all happiness and smiles. We're all still trying to adjust to this new "truth" in our lives, still unsure of how the world sees us much less how we see ourselves. I believe in us though. I believe in our strength and determination. I believe in our good hearts and compassion. Most of all I believe in our will to live, and live well. I am going to write a book and I would love if I could quote some of you when talking about our journey along the way. I can change names if you want but I believe we have a message to send out, not only to the people out there who need this surgery and need support, but to each other in this family we have created and also to the people who don't understand but want to learn more. Everybody knows SOMEBODY who is struggling with obesity. I love you all... truly I do. Monica 228/135/135

Congratulations! You've done amazingly well. I can't wait to see the 130's again. You've inspired me. Melissa