OK......so the REAL secret is.......???

Ummm....# 1....you are NOT "wide"  # 2.....nobody will care how "wide"...or "un-wide" you look.....all they see is....sexy bikini chick!

Wow Jen!  I am speachless, and that is not easy to make happen.

Elina, judging by your profile picture, if you put up a bikini shot it might be dangerous for the men on here to even look at. They would probably lose all blood flow to the brain and fall right over.  =)

You have to make your picture a square. OH is stupid and it will stretch it to be as square instead of cut part off.

Ideally it should be 100 x 100 pixels.

Thanks Marie... tomorrow I will try for 100 x 100 pixels.

I wish I were going to Hawaii.. actually I'm going to visit my parents in Florida at their golf retirement community... not sure I will get any appreciation for my bikini there!

You will GET plenty of appreciation...of course followed by heart attacks =)

I'm goin' to Hawaii in a couple of weeks!  Aren't you jealous now?  If I had an extra ticket i would bring ya along......just to see the bikini IRL!

   OK I'm back.....meeting was canceled....must have been a  "BOGO" sale at the donut shop or sumpin'   So as I was sayin' there is no "quick fix"  to obesity....WLS  or no....WLS!  There ARE....however....varying degrees of difficulty!  Some "struggle" more.....some "struggle"...less.  AND ....that word.....(struggle) is very subjective.  An extreme hardship for one.....may be a "piece of cake" for another! (like how I threw in the cake reference)  
    Also different aspects of this "journey" are very specific....and individualized.  I don't see sweet stuff as "triggers"....or  "off limit" foods.   Some people do....and adjust their lifestyle accordingly.  Doesn't make me right or wrong or better or worse....just different.    
   The "secret".....,  if there is one, is   Knowing yourself.....your personal obstacles.....and having a plan/strategy for navigating around...over....or through them!  Finding your "way" through this journey.....and coming out on the "other side" ......happy...healthy....and content with yourself.......IS the "ultimate prize!"  This will NOT be the same for all of us.  It may be a clothing size....weight/BMI....activity....spending time with family.....new relationships....whatever.   They are ALL valid.....and never right or wrong....just different.
   The key here is realizing YOU already knew the "secret" before anyone whispered it to you!  Once you have accepted that you already knew the answer before the question was posed.......you WILL realize YOUR "secret"  and begin reaping the rewards of "knowing"  I am slowly revealing my "secret" to myself....With each whisper....or hint.....I am ever closer to my "ultimate prize!"  have fun revealing your "secret"  May you ALL reap the rewards you deserve!    (group hug!)

wow....

I think this should be a sticky at the top of the vsg page.

I don't think anyone could have said it better.  That is the ultimate secret, to know yourself and have a plan.  I love it.