Cool concept for the challenge, and overall, a well-written piece.

My one criticism is the phrase “she found she had lost every extra piece of flesh she used to carry,” makes her sound more like a cannibal than someone who has lost pounds. The flesh does not shed when weight is lost, as is evidenced by myriad photos of people after a gastric bypass. I’d recommend changing that phrase to something that more accurately describes the shedding of pounds.

Thanks for the feedback John – the ‘flesh’ was meant to remind a little of Shakepeare’s pound of flesh .. the thing someone wants from you, that you have to give up .. but i do take your point, it’s not how it is when you lose weight (sadly).

I didn’t mind the “flesh” line. This is an intriguing look at the surfaces of things, and the way they reflect—or don’t reflect—traumas and motivations within. I do wish we got more of a peek beneath those surfaces, though—I couldn’t quite connect with the story fully.