I quit...

Gotcha :)

 I'm temporarily declaring myself done with weight loss and entering a new chapter. I could not care less that I'm clinically overweight because..

I ran 13.1 miles. Screw the scale. I accomplished the real single most important goal to me ( i still dont have a goal weight so there's no point in chasing the undefined) - I freaking ran a half marathon. It might have taken me 2:44 but I ran pretty much the whole thing. There's no number that could show up on my scale that would match the feelings and emotions of crossing the finish line yesterday.

So, for the next 18 days, I'm going to give maintenance a practice run - once I wake up from plastics, I might just decide im totally done with weight loss, but I'm not sure yet.

I posted a report on my sexy skinny ***** blog, and also posted a race report here

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/fitness/4581219/Rock-N-Rol l-1-2-marathon-race-report/

I know that I will go on and continue to accomplish many things athletically, but this race is a victory for me. This will definitely be a defining moment for the rest of my life.

Weight loss is hard. Weight loss surgery is hard. Changing your life style is hard. There has been nothing easy about what i've accomplished - losing 230 lbs. Ive had to fight for it, and it only gets harder the further out from surgery you get, but the only thing that has made it possible for me is to have goals and dreams that are completely unconnected to the scale. Sure i have had my freak outs about the scale, ive wasted enough words venting about the scale, but I have never allowed to be my focus. It makes me sad to see so many people think that the only thing that matters is the number on the scale and obsess about it day and day out. If you can't think of a something more important to you than a number on the scale, you should stop and re-evaluate your purpose for doing this. After 2.5 years on these boards, I have seen more people come and go than I can count, and I know too many OH/VSG friends that gave up after 3-6 months when they hit a serious stall/plateau or the lifestyle changes just got too much for them.

While I am certainly celebrating my dream of running a 1/2 marathon, I've accomplished something much more important than that.

I. LOVE. MY. LIFE.  

It's far from perfect or ideal, but I woke up this morning, and it was the first thing that popped in my head.  And the second thing was how much I love my friends that have supported my crazy ass through all this.

Geezuz, I can never stress to you enough how much I love you.  I FREAKING LOVE YOU!!!!

I would marry you if I could!!!

I don't care *****ads this, everyone knows I LOVE you!!!!

You are THEE main reason I have done as well in my WL journey as I have.  You are the real deal ... we all struggle, we all sacrifice, we all strive to get to where we want to be!!!!  You have helped me in so many ways my friend & I will be forever grateful.  I wish everyone was as lucky as me to have you in their life like I do. 

You are amazing and that is no lie.  You are the BEST!!! I AM SOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!

I cannot wait to be a part of the next chapter in your life.  I'm not sure if I can say it involves running a marathon but I see many hikes in my future with you.

xoxoxo

I hope you will consider taking up C25K with Angi and I once I recover. I think you should give it a try. Running is not, and will never be, something I wake up and think "hey I love this" because i ******g hurts too much BUT the mental benefits are worth it...train and run a 5K with us, and then you can decide if you want to do a marathon with me. You never know - you might like it ;-)

Plus, you'd have an excuse to spend a couple hours with me :))))

I will do anything for you, I mean it. 

And ANY excuse to spend time with you is worth it!!!  MUAH!!!! 

You are definitely a true inspiration for people like me who are just starting their journey!  :)

Half Marathon! You skinny *****! Great job and I'm wicked jealous!

Im more than happy to share the blisters if you are that jealous!!

**** how am I going to hide these tears sitting at my front counter at work?? serious no lie. Just WOW!

Awww youre too sweet.

And then I read your post on the exercise forum...even better!