Yup! THERE IT IS!!! The magic number I had hoped for...

Today I'm doing the HAPPY DANCE BIG TIME!!!!! I DID IT!!! I lost those 43 pounds that sneaked up on me over the years!

I reset my goals several times along this journey. Each time that I reached my goal, I celebrated and then decided to set a new, more challenging one. Well, today the scale tells me that I am indeed AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY, and that now I have to set up housekeeping so that I can stay at this spot, and not backslide! :happy:

I am comfortably in the healthy category for people my height. The sun seems to shine more brightly and the birds in our yard seem to be singing more sweetly today. The world looks so much more beautiful when you feel good about yourself. I feel like going out and buying a huge cake and a gazillion balloons and having some kind of big party, but friends might think I have totally gone bonkers! :laugh: No, I can't really do that, but I am SO happy to have the opportunity to meet a fellow mfp member in person tomorrow and to go hiking the nearby zoo with her. What a way to celebrate! I'm so grateful that she and I will be able to do this. It makes this accomplishment so much more awesome for me! Can't wait!!

My other excitement is seeing my husband become more aware of the importance of the foods that he chooses and the portions he takes. He has recently lost 6 lbs (and appears to want to lose even more) by just making a few changes in his daily eating habits. I have to admit that no amount of nagging could have gotten him to do this. It's because he sees that I was successful and that I feel better now with my new weight.

JUST KEEP TRUDGING until you reach your goal!!!! It's amazing sitting here looking back at how far I've come toward a healthier life style. It wasn't easy, but OH SO TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!! Good luck to all those who take the time to celebrate with me by reading this. And thanks to EVERYONE who encouraged me along the way!