[bnbsmommy1]

I was looking at Zelma's before and after pics...she looks fantastic! I was thinking about how she doesn't even look ANYTHING like she used to. TONS of people tell me that they don't recognize me and I have to re-introduce myself to my favorite patients at the clinic, or old friends I see at the grocery store, etc.

ANYWAY, what I was wondering is how you are different now than you were at your heaviest?? Do you think you've become a new person?? What are the up and down sides to the new person you've become??

I still have twenty some pounds to go but I feel myself turning into a stronger, happier, friendlier and more beautiful person than I've ever been. The thought that I'm re-inventing myself sounds pretty fun

Lacey

[cruisintolose]

I think you have to re invent yourself sometimes. I am always doing this. That is why I can't seem to grow my hair long..because about once a year to every 2 years I re invent myself and my hair goes along with that process. But I think it feels wonderful to re invent yourself when you have lost weight. Makes you feel so good. YOu are still you, but what you feel on the inside is showing up more on the outside. I don't plan on worrying about growing older like alot of people do because I plan on changing myself to look my best at any age that may be. At least to where I feel good about myself. IF you feel good about how you look then others are going to notice that something extra special thing too and it keeps you out of a rut!

[Keya]

Yes some what. I smile more and feel a bit more confident. I want to wear dresses and skirts, I didn't wear them for years. I still don't love my body in a swimsuit but I don't mind wearing one now so I go swimming more often. I now talk to people at the pool where I avoided making eye contact when I was larger. I care more about my apperance and recently had a makeover. The makeover was something I wanted to do for years but felt to fat and ugly to even think about doing it. Instead of spending money stuffing my face, I now spend it on make up and new clothes

Have fun re-inventing yourself

[boarderchick]

I'm totally different. Startling really. I lost 120 pounds a few years ago, and now there's almost nothing I won't try. I live to try and do new things, and my whole life philosophy is different. I'm confident in my body and I enjoy being fit. My friends and family have found it to be a huge change. Feels good though!

[ZedAus]

Thank you for the compliment Lacey!

Mostly there are just HEAPS of positive ways in which I have changed. I would never have believed that I would enjoy clothes shopping, but I LOVE it now. To the point of not having any more room in my closet!

I am certainly more active. At one stage I only really left the house for work, but now I want to be out doing 'stuff' all the time. I get 'fidgetty' if I sit at home too long.

I certainly take more care of my appearance and I look after my skin more. I have had my hair cut and coloured, whereas before it just got left for years without having anything done to it.

I suppose I am a lot more confident around people, and that probably gets some of them to treat me differently, but I sometimes think that they treat me differently because I am no longer obese. That kinda bothers me and I don't look upon them the same way. That is a downside of this I think. Not knowing WHY people behave differently towards you.

A HUGE downfall is that I now have to put up with my parents (who are both obese, so go figure) talk about other overweight people in a really derogatory way and this just tells me what they must have thought of ME when I was obese. I have been spending VERY little time with them because of this. It seems that because I look 'normal' now they have forgotten that I was as large as, if not larger than, these people they are talking about.

All in all, I know that you are supposed to be the same person inside, no matter what your size, but I think I am now a better person inside because I feel better about myself and am not 'hiding' from life anymore. I am worried that I am a little too vain, but hopefully that will ease as I 'grow into' my new body mentally as well as physically.

That's about all for my little 'novel' at the moment.

Take care,

Zelma

[cadwell125]

i totally feel what y'all are saying. i started wearing make up for the first time a few months ago, and i wear skirts and blazers (both looked awful on me before. i take more time with my hair also. the only thing missing is the whole swim suit thing. those still look bad.. loose skin (yuck!)
people treat me differently now, but i treat others differently also. i am more outgoing and positive. so many upsides, and few downsides. eating with other people can be a chore, since i'm so picky now. and i've adopted an annoying "when harry met sally" ordering style at restaurants.. everything on the side, no butter, substitute veggies for rice, no mayo, etc.