Today seemed the day that a lot of people were noticing I’ve lost weight. I mean, take a peek at the pics on the left, it’s pretty darn dramatic. 🙂 But today is the day everyone wanted to talk about it.
It seems that everywhere I went today people were trying to put their finger on what was different. This was a conversation I was in the middle of in the back room at one of my client locations:
“Wow, something is really different about you…
I just can’t put my finger on it.”
“Is your HAIR different?”
“Something’s changed. Maybe you’re TANNER than last time I saw you? Or have you lost WEIGHT?”
While it’s very flattering, it’s a little overwhelming in mixed company. Men and women. Young and older. People I know well and people I just met. People I like and people I don’t care for. Seriously, it can be sort of awkward. Oh, and in a professional setting, PS… It’s sooooo awk.
My response today was … “Well, I do spend some time at the pool, so I guess I’m tanner. I’ve also lost some weight.”
Other days, I say… “Yeah… I’ve been working hard, but I still have a way to go.”
Why do we downplay our accomplishments? Why am I so modest about something I’ve worked so hard for? And curiously, why am I almost ashamed to admit in mixed company that I’ve lost weight? I NEVER say the total amount lost unless I’m amongst friends (blog friends included). I guess, I don’t want anyone doing the math, or looking at me and going “Wow, you’ve lost 60 lbs, and you still have more to lose?”
It’s a really interesting place to be. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE that people notice. It’s so motivating and almost justifies the process; it makes me feel fantastic. When I run into someone who hasn’t seen me in 6 months and barely recognizes me, that’s my favorite.
I’d also add that there’s a few more people I wish would notice. Well, those same people, I’d like them to forget I was ever that previous plus-sized lady and (ahem) just focus on the new and improved me.
I love the new version of me, and I’m not going back to that before image EVER again. I wish I could just answer these questions better sometimes. I guess that will come with time. I know that before pic is fading away… soon everyone will only know the newer and more fabulous me. I’m certainly ok with that.
Suggestion to the World: If you can tell I’ve lost weight, just say so. Or, simply just say I look great. Don’t make me tell you, that’s where I get flustered. Help a girl out, will ya?