[KboP]

EK.

I got an email from my office today ( I am an IT worker, but i work on client site) telling me out Christmas party had been booked for the 18th December

Now this too me right back too last years, there was a photographer there, and he spend a long time taking group shots for publicity, but he asked me too step out off them, as I didn't fit his "intended look"

I off course kept the smile plastered on my face, but my heart broke, I really thought I was looking like a star that night.

But you know what, this year, I will look fantastic, because I will be smaller, and most importantly I will be happier and heathlier.....

My little red dress is waiting for me.

How about the rest off you, do you have a work do coming up that you have a special little outfit planned for...

[Palestrina]

I'm trying to focus on one holiday at a time and Halloween is the next big one for me. I want to look super cute in my witch costume.

I'm sorry to hear about that photographer, I'm sure there was a better way he could've handled the situation rather than singling you out and making you feel crummy. On the other hand if I were you I would've spoken to your boss and called it harassment, you could've even sued I bet. Why not - it's discrimination on the job.

I can't wait to hear about this year's Christmas party, you'll probably need a new red dress by that time if you keep losing weight!

[RMatS]

OMG! Don't fit his intended look! I have no idea if I would have cried or demanded he say why not to my face -- what a complete jerk!

In the past, my picture at our Holiday Party (December 2007) was what made me start making a change. They had all of us on a stage, and I was right in front, even though I tried to hide -- short people in front, please! The photog (an amateur) was right in front of me about knee height looking up into my double chin looking down at him to get eye contact. It was a triple chin from that angle, and I looked like I was about 100 pounds heavier than I was! When I saw the photos in January 2008, I vowed to never let anyone take a picture of me again that I didn't have some control over. Then I vowed to fit into a smaller dress the next year! I lost and gained and am now losing again, but I will never forget that party and that picture.

So, yes, I understand completely the motivation and the need to fit into the type of sexy dress all of the others are wearing! GO GO GO! We can be a size smaller by then, maybe more!!

[midwife]

You are going to rock that red dress!

[Sunnigummi]

What kind of a photographer does not know how to work with his subjects? A good photographer would have included you in the shot and worked around it. I hope the same guy comes to take a pic this year, then you can show him what's what!

You've been doing great so far, woohoo to the red dress! (I love red)