Yesterday, I hit 140lbs for the first time in many years - and because I am still there today, I am claiming it as hitting my target, lol! I have now revised it down by another 5lbs but I think that those will go when I have my cosmetics done in 2014.

So I have achieved what I set out to do on 26 April when I was sleeved. Pre and post op, I have lost 83.5lbs, a number I used to look at and never really believe I could lose that. At 5'2", with two comorbidities and others looming, my sleeve was really my last throw of the dice to sort a life long problem and restore my health.

But I am surprised that I am not doing the wildly happy dance or calling up everyone I know to tell them. So i've been thinking - why not?

Partly, it's because I have had the compliments on the way about my weight loss and don't feel like stating the bleedin' obvious in case it sets off everyone on the "ooh, don't lose any more" commentary (which has started). (Maybe I don't want someone to unwittingly do down what I have achieved with a careless comment...)

Partly, it's because it's really the beginning not the end of this journey - now I have to maintain.

Partly it's because my doctor told me last week that I was to be applauded for saving my own life. That was quite a statement that drove home to me the significance of what I have done.

But the biggest reason why I think I am not leaping around is that I did this for me - and for me alone. No one told me to, for the first time in my life I was selfish, paid for the surgery without discussing it with anyone and put me first.

So I know inside what I have achieved because I know the pain, pleasure and the crazy roller coaster ride I have gone through to get here. I know of the doubts, the fear and tears on the way. I know the highs and the lows, the dark days - and the good days. Of the support and friendship on this site that kept my head above the Water even if the people responding didn't realise the good they were doing. My thanks to each and every one of you.

I have been fully present every step of the way, I haven't run away, I have lived it and I don't think anyone who hasn't been sleeved can fully appreciate this journey. For the first time in my life, I am going to do something different - I am going to give myself a pat on the back, mean it and accept it graciously.

Well done Jacqui, you are a success, the rest of your life lies ahead - and there are now no excuses for not living it to the full :-))))))

Here's to a an amazing 2014 for us all x

I am so happy for you. I hope to be in your situation soon. Your words are so true. I actually cried a tear but it was a good tear. I love readying your posts and the positive feelings. I remember your post about almost falling into the garbage thing and someone making a comment on how you might fall in that you were so tiny. Made me laugh.

Congratulations on your success and looking forward to the healthy 2014 myself.

Thank you! Yes, the day at the garbage dump when I got lifted off my feet trying to put bags of clothes in the recycle container is etched on my memory!

Good luck to you, you don't have far to go, all the best in 2014!

Edited December 29, 201312 yr by Indigo1991

Amazing accomplishment!

Wonderful post. Great job and as long as you don't slip into a "I've met my goal, this one bite won't hurt me" sort of thing, you'll keep on rocking that new figure forever.

I'm very impressed with your honesty with yourself and inspired that it really can and will happen if I do everything I should be doing.

Well I'll say it....I'm proud of you! You are honest with yourself and with all of us struggling to become healthy people! Your words are inspiring and I hope you don't start slipping from the forms!! We'd miss you here

Congrats you have done well!!

Ab-so-bloody-lute-ly.

In the irrepressible and immortal words of Malcolm Tucker which seem entirely appropriate for this very special occasion:

"You're looking at Lazarus, sweetheart. And not just Lazarus; I'm Self-Raising f*cking Lazarus".

Many many congratulations, honey. A job very well done xxxx

Wonderful post. Great job and as long as you don't slip into a "I've met my goal, this one bite won't hurt me" sort of thing, you'll keep on rocking that new figure forever.

I'm very impressed with your honesty with yourself and inspired that it really can and will happen if I do everything I should be doing.

Thanks! Don't worry, I have worked hard to get a balance in my eating but I am not complacent :-))))

Well I'll say it....I'm proud of you! You are honest with yourself and with all of us struggling to become healthy people! Your words are inspiring and I hope you don't start slipping from the forms!! We'd miss you here

Congrats you have done well!!

Awwww, thank you! I won't slip from the forum, need to keep up with how you are all doing :-)

Ab-so-bloody-lute-ly.

In the irrepressible and immortal words of Malcolm Tucker which seem entirely appropriate for this very special occasion:

"You're looking at Lazarus, sweetheart. And not just Lazarus; I'm Self-Raising f*cking Lazarus".

Many many congratulations, honey. A job very well done xxxx

Lmao! Thank you for those wise words, Mme Rev, may use them elsewhere lol!!! xxx

Thank you for your compassionate story, I needed to hear it being that I am newly sleeved,18 days post op. I know that it will be a on going struggle and I am taking it one day at a time. Congrats to you on reaching your goal!

Thank you for your compassionate story, I needed to hear it being that I am newly sleeved,18 days post op. I know that it will be a on going struggle and I am taking it one day at a time. Congrats to you on reaching your goal!

Thanks and congratulations to you for taking the big step and getting sleeved. Take it one day at a time and suddenly you'll be where I am! Good luck!

Congratulations! Well done! Thank you for the inspiration! You know I am finding more joy in the nsv's than the number on the scale. Perhaps it doesn't feel so momentous since you've really been at goal for some time now. Anyway, I feel so proud and happy for you and I hope 2014 is our best year yet!

Congratulations! You've got this!!

I'll be honest, I teared up when I read this. Reaching goal - WOW - that seems like a very distant dream for me.

It sounds to me like you're feeling at peace - maybe that's why you weren't jumping for joy. Or maybe the fact the jumping for joy came when you "got naked and nobody died of shame" (one of my all time favorite posts).

I am so happy for you. You have worked hard for this. Enjoy and I hope you get to get naked again very soon.

Congratulations! Well done! Thank you for the inspiration! You know I am finding more joy in the nsv's than the number on the scale. Perhaps it doesn't feel so momentous since you've really been at goal for some time now. Anyway, I feel so proud and happy for you and I hope 2014 is our best year yet!

Think you are right, but that last pound has been the hardest to lose, lol! Here's to great 2014 for you!