Hello everyone!

I just had to share this enormous milestone with you all. I am lucky enough to be able to ring in the new year with more hope and joy than I've felt in a long time. Before my surgery mid-August, I had a hard time believing I would lose anything at all, let alone be where I am today. I've met or surpassed all my goals, and when I woke up this morning, I was happily shocked to see that I was FINALLY into the 200s. This is a place I have not been in over a decade. I can't tell you how incredibly happy and proud I am, and just how lucky I am to have this chance to take back my life. Thank you, everyone, for always being supportive and inspirational. I hope your 2016 is absolutely kickass!

The before pic is at my highest ever weight, 442, and the current is this evening at 299!

You look fantastic!.Congratulations!

Congratulations.

You look absolutely fantastic! Keep up the good work!! Congrats & happy 2016 ????????????

Amazing!! What a great year ahead!!!

Congratulations! This is so awesome!

Thank you everyone! I'm so happy! Happy New Year to all of you.

Congratulations!

You are amazing and you look incredible. I know this new year will be chock full of even more happiness and success for you! Congrats!

Thank you!

That is awesome! Congratulations!

Thank you! Happy New Year.

You are doing such a great job.Here's to an even better 2016!

@@Cervidae, you amazing woman, what a triumph you've created for yourself. You look so wonderful.

Here's a serious question....I have no tatts, therefore, no way of knowing what happens when someone loses oodles of weight. Has the bird at your shoulder changed? Did he land? Fly away? Go back to nestling size? Look larger? Is that the bird on top of your head in the "after" photo? It's the same color.

Edited January 1, 201610 yr by WLSResources/ClothingExch

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch here's a before and current. I have already lost about 40 pounds in the before picture but it looks the same as when I was at my heaviest. All I've noticed it that its VERY slightly smaller, and slightly lower on my chest. Generally, it looks so similar to when I first got it that it's not even distinguishable. The hat is something I've been wearing for the past week because it was a hand-made gift and I'm in love with it.

http://imgur.com/U2Py6CV

@@Cervidae

How interesting that is. You're right about it being lower and a tad smaller. Since it's fluttering around, are the feathers tickling you?

Many years ago I was thinking of a tattoo, something small and pretty secret. I had no idea what I would want, though, and didn't think I was ready to take the plunge. Someone pointed out that most people aren't "ready" until they know what kind of tatt they want. I never got there.

The handmade hat is a wonderful gift. Enjoy it.

I'll look forward to more updates as you go along.

Edited January 2, 201610 yr by WLSResources/ClothingExch