At last -- goal! (For the first time in my life)

For the first time in my life, I can say that I am at goal. I have lost 137 pounds! I weigh 158, and at 5'7", my BMI is actually at normal (24.7) This feels very strange. I need to change my whole mentality. Instead of losing weight, I just want to maintain. I've never done that before. These are completely new waters that I am treading. I hope I don't drown. I have gone from a size 24 and 3X tops to a size 8 and Medium tops. My ring size has gone from a 10 to a 6 1/2. My feet are even smaller. People keep telling me I've lost too much weight or call me skinny -- I just laugh because I weigh more than they seem to think. My high cholesterol, high blood pressure and knee problems are gone. I do aerobic exercises at the gym three to four days a week, and walk at least two other days. I NEVER exercised before surgery. I am so happy, but I'm also a little bit scared. I've dieted on and off all my life. I've always been on a diet or off a diet. Now, I'm going to be on maintainance. Thanks for all your support and kind words. I hope I remember this day and the europhia I feel today -- always. Joni @ goal 295/160/158

Joni, it's a riot, isn't it?? People keep saying, "you're SO TINY!!!" and I guess I am at just 5'1" and they also tell me not to lose any more weight, including doctors I know, but like you, I weigh more than they realize! Isn't being normal a strange feeling, though? And being able to try on nearly anything I want to in the stores and then saying, "no, it doesn't hang just right"!!! What a change from buying whatever I could get over my rear end and being satisfied with that!!! Now I'm actually FUSSY about the fit!!! Congratulations on getting to your goal. Like you said, now the real work begins as you work to maintain it! Jan