Chicago...

I'm here in Chicago with two great friends. Today on the agenda is...sleeping until we wake up (which was 6:56 for me), working out, shopping until we drop and then get a nice dinner out. This is all in celebration of me hitting my goal weight. The only problem is, I still have 3 more pounds (depending on the scale. One says 180.5, the other 183). Oh well, close enough I guess. No, I'm not stopping, this weekend just worked for us. There are two girls with me and their names are Heather and Elisha. It was no accident that I wanted this shopping trip to be with the two of them. There have been so many people who have supported and encouraged me on this journey, none less than my wonderful husband, and I wish I could take all of them (you?) on a little getaway. During the day in and day out Elisha and Heather have been unwavering in their absolute belief that I can and would reach my goal. Both of these women came to the two big races of 2010 and believed in me throughout. Elisha even ran them with me! Both of these women listened to me cry, and complain, and vent and cheer about how excruciatingly wonderful this experience has been. Neither one of them ever made me feel like I was being selfish for spending so much time away from home taking care of this. Both of them thought I was beautiful even at 266 pounds (my largest in 2000). Both of these women have bragged about my accomplishment to their friends and family as if it was their own. Both of these women have celbrated the little milestones along the way. I wanted them here with me when I celebrated what has happened. It only made sense.

As I sit here on the 35th floor of a hotel suite in downtown Chicago I am overcome. This thing in my life that I have always deemed impossible to conquer now lay in the corner, dead. I killed it. I kicked it's ass. I'm still kicking it's ass. Yeah, yeah I've still got 3 or so pounds. I also think 175 i s a better goal. Today, I celebrate though. I celebrate that I am free from bondage and free from my own control. I am free to shop at stores that the other girls can go to. I am free to ride a roller coaster...and fit in the seat. I am free to eat in public without shame, free to eat with gusto and enjoyment. I am free to LIVE. Live in a body that I feel good in.

Now, it's off to the gym.