I weighed myself today: 170. While my weight does fluctuate slightly, this is the lightest I've been in about 14 years. I'm thrilled.

I did my arms and abs today at the gym, and should go running tonight- although I have a feeling I may put that off until tomorrow. It's so muggy out that it would be like running through a sauna, even after dark. Yech.

Lots going on here. My weight loss continues to progress well; I've lost 12 pounds since my last doctor's visit, and I'm training for 5k races. My friend Layla is optimistic that eventually I'll do triathlons- ha! As much as I may not believe her, it's great that I have a friend who believes I can accomplish that.

I've been thinking about the whole surgery process, now seven months ago. Before my surgery, I was talking to our priest about it and he said, "We like you the way you are." It was just a comment in passing, but it meant a tremendous amount to me. So much of our problems, as humans, are caused because we don't feel accepted, warts and all- not that we shouldn't try to be the best people we can, but sometimes a little acceptance is what's needed. There's an anorexic woman who lives in a nearby development. I know she's anorexic because she is losing her hair, so skinny that I can see veins on her face, and goes jogging in sweatsuits on 100-degree days. Anorexic? I say so. Anyway, each time I see her I just want to stop my car, get out and hug her, and tell her that people accept her at any weight. She'd probably report me to the cops, but my heart aches for her.

Some pictures my daddy sent me.