With my 2nd triathlon ever - I have swim, bike, and run/walk on the brain. While some haven't seem me in a while (sorry all my LA friends), I have gained and lost a lot of weight. It was really depressing as a former amateur model to at one time weigh 240 lbs. While modeling, I didn't have the healthiest weight either but never had the medical complications that I have had in the recent years due to being heavy. How did I get that heavy -> Go get a job and be in a full-time MBA program. It seems that I actually needed all those Venti Lattes with soy. However, I didn't realize that I was adding an extra 250 calories per drink and anyone doing a week of extreme late nighters can tell you they probably drank 3 of those a day and didn't take the time out to exercise. I was really happy to graduate with that MBA degree but I did walk across that stage weighing in at 240 lbs. What were those medical complications -> high blood pressure, high cholesterol, residual Lyme symptoms, and SO MANY back issues! Now according to various online sites, a woman who is 5'11" should weigh somewhere between 135-175 lbs. Luckily, I decided to loose weigh and participate in a weight loss contest (came in 2nd). During that contest, I met several people who are really supportive and actively trained in triathlons. It was actually funny to see them swim and me do the "doggy paddle". I didn't know how to "freestyle" swim and they gave me lots of pointers. In my May 2009 triathlon, I was able to finish a half-mile open water in just under 30 minutes and the whole triathlon! Not bad from a girl who got so fat that I could NOT walk with a straight back. Now this Sunday, I'll be finishing my 2nd triathlon and have been seriously training for it (2+ hours a day) and can honestly say I FEEL GREAT AND HAPPY!! While I don't expect to win my class, I feel that I am winning because I don't have the medical issues and know I can finish a Sprint triathlon in less than 3 hours. While I'm not at my ideal weight, this BMI 25+ girl WILL finish. So RUN FAT GIRL RUN!! PS: Everyone go rent the movie Run Fat Boy Run! It is great and has Simon Pegg and is really funny!