My cousin, who sparked my weight loss, came for a visit yesterday. I hadn't seen her in two months, not since my start date. My face turned bright red the moment I opened the door and gushing began. LOL! I was red in the face the entire visit and felt very self conscious. Weird?

Eventually I'm going to have to get over it. I do NOT like being the center of attention. Not at all. I don't like being stared at and everyone at work is starting to look me up and down. I think the nugget of "something's different-what is it" has set in, though no one's said anything yet. I don't like that.

They say it starts showing after 20 lbs....you are a little overdue...guess you will just have to suffer through it(lol).

LOL! I think it depends on how heavy you were to begin with. I was honestly expecting it around 30 and that's what's happening.

It's strange. I desperately want the comments and the notice, but when it happens I want to crawl under a chair! I suddenly understand my children who couldn't wait to sit on Santa's lap and then screamed when they got up there.

Depending on personality I think this happens to a lot of us! Started gaining weight when I was younger as DH began to complain about how I looked but lots of men in the work world (I was in a predominately male profession) were hitting on me! Very confusing mixed signals sent me into a bad spiral!

Although yesterday, a friend at church told me I looked like a fashion model (in an outfit I couldn't quite wear before) which was really nice since my DH and 3 sons hadn't said a word! But I am really far from a fashion model but was carrying myself with more confidence!

Hang in there I hope for all our sakes these are just some "stages" to go through!

Oh my goodness. I remember that feeling. Does it help if I tell you that the feeling goes away after some time? Once your mind accepts your new body, you become more comfortable. I had shrunk behind sweats and yucky clothing for years. Once I began getting "noticed" I felt like I was running across a football field naked. But, others DO become accustomed to the NEW you and so do YOU! Hang in there.

This is me exactly...When I went to my sisters at Christmas and had lost 19 lbs... she couldn't tell. And now when I go into work...no one says anything. But then I am the mean ole big boss LOL On the flip side...when people start asking me questions I am gonna flip too. Some of it may be the clothes I wear too...and lots of em cuz it is winter!

Thanks for the thread!

this is me too - over 20 lbs gone and my mom is the only one who has noticed on her own. While I do get the awkward/not wanting to be the center of attention feelings, I have to admit I'm still looking forward to being embarassed by people noticing and saying something, at least a little! lol!

Its a good embarrassment though!

Recently a guy at the sandwich shop I go to often for lunch said something about how much weight I lost. It was embarrassing, but in a good way

The last time I lost weight it was the same way; I felt so anxious to hear the comments, then when I did I wanted to hide.

Hopefully it gets easier!

You are doing awesome adn deserve the compliments!

I have used my 60, 75, 100+ lbs of fat as a shield to make myself invisible. It has worked. NO one looks at the fat girl except to snicker or smirk. I know it is hard to be the center of attention but health wise, being thinner is so much better for you. Hang in there. You will get used to the new normal.

I hear you, kid! I want it and I want to run from it all at once.

It makes me think of when I was a little kid and I begged my parents on my birthday to take me to a restaurant where they would sing happy birthday to me. What did I do? Crawled under the table and hid until it was over. Sheesh. Apparently, I never change.

It can be embarrassing...for sure. Especially when people YELL it across a room, or say things like, "Hey, this is my friend Lori, she has lost A LOT of weight...!" Ugh. But, the health benefits FAR outweigh the embarrassment so I try to grin and bare it.

After you get to goal expect it to go on for awhile, but then it eventually wears off...except for the looks from the people who expect you (or hope that you will) gain it back...then they just look you over very carefully to see if they can see an additional pound or 10 creeping back on....(love those people...they are the ones who have actually kept me committed to maintaince in an odd sort of way!)

You are doing terrific. Smile and lavish the compliments!

I hate to be the center of attention too. Luckily I only have to contend with close friends and family for the most part, and they know I LOATHE when people gush over me, so they made sure to only make small comments in passing(this was before I regained obviously)...that's all my mental health could take LOL

It's just so nice being able to come here and share thoughts with people who understand, ya know? Just so nice.

I understand completely! I think most of us have been there in one way or another. It just so happened at Christmas some friends of mine came to visit, I hadn't seen them since I dropped the 40 lbs, they started asking if I lost weight and gushing. I turned red and quickly changed the topic. I have never liked being the center of attention so I think it's understandable to not want to be in the spotlight. I am thankful for my weight loss, and appreciate all my support but don't want to be gushed over!