Not sure if it's my imagination or not. Of course, it's highly possibly that I'm ACTING differently now, too...

I can't even pinpoint any specific examples, it's just that (at 45 pounds lighter) I feel a weird shift in some of the relationships I have with people. And it's not even a bad shift, necessarily...

Also, I can't stop shopping. I can't! I've developed a new addiction: trying on and buying clothing! I can now fit things in the Juniors Section (I'm 34) and stores like Charlotte Russe and Papaya and Express. It's like I get some weird euphoria from going into these stores and trying on clothing. LOL! ...sad thing is, most times I BUY, too!

I find I have more confidence.

I wouldnt be surprised to hear people say that others do treat them differently because of their weight. Personally I know that my level of confidence has a huge impact on how I interact with others and how I present myself, which of course affects how I am perceived and how others respond to me.

I agree with the confidence thing. Of course I have not lost much weight, but I can say I have gained quite a bit of confidence. If I feel good about myself, I project that in my everyday life, and people perceive me differently. I really don't think it is a weight issue, I believe it is a confidence issue.

i hear ya on the shopping part...............i'm addicted...and I LOVE how cheap small clothes is...i'm addicted to shoes/purses..especially buying them online and clothing in general!

Part of it "may" be the way I present myself. Yes, I definitely feel as if I am treated differently. There is a couple of things I really *don't* like or that I miss. I do not feel as if I'm America's next top model or anything *BUT* I feel I have to be careful talking to my friend's hubbies now--men in general actually. I have also noticed *the eye* from a couple of them. I miss falling in like "one of the guys" so to speak.

shopping addiction..LETS NOT GO THERE!

I know I see myself differently and interact with people differently. For one, I don't have this little voice in my head telling me I'm the fattest one in the room (even if I still am). I feel more confident, and it shows!

Sometimes I feel like I'm making other people uncomfortable by losing weight. Sometimes I get the feeling that others aren't quite as happy for me as I am for myself. Nobody has criticised me or anything but it's a weird feeling I get.

Their pants fit me better than any thing in the entire mall--so very odd that cheap pants fit me best! LOL. What does that say about me??? LOL.

Also, love CRusse jewelry---bangle sets 2/$8---you seriously cannot beat that!

beautifulone, utgirl09 - Yeah, I hear ya on the confidence thing! I've always been pretty confident...though I am shy. If anything loosing weight might have made me more shy in certain situations. I dunno, I have lots of complexities. :P

angelanicole23, TBG - YES! I guess we'll need a support group for shopping soon. :-( And, small clothes ARE cheaper. My only issue is all the Juniors stuff is super short! LOL! All I can hear is Stacey London saying, "You cannot wear that once you hit 35!". :P

Heather - Yeah, I believe we project something different when we lose. That's probably why most folks react differently.

Wannabeskinny - I understand. It's hard, it really is. I just take it in stride. I mean, as much as we don't want to talk about it, jealousy is a real thing. Even good people can feel jealous. I try to be very understanding of this. It's hard to see someone close to you making smart food choices, losing weight, receiving compliments and making life-changing choices when you are still doing the same old thing.

i did notice how much differently people treated me when i was fat as compared to when i used to be thin. male store clerks/cashiers/etc seemed much less interested in helping me.....

That's pretty awesome! I found a friggin $5 dress at CRusse yesterday!!

It says: You lucky girl!!!

Interesting. I don't think I've noticed this. I will say, though, that when I first lost weight, I felt like a poser when I walked into Express (I don't think they sell anything higher than size 12 in their stores). I was BARELY in a 12 (mostly 14s) when I went there for the first time in years. I felt like I was wearing my size on my chest and that everyone was looking at me like, "Get out fatty!!"

I didn't so much notice that I was treated badly when obese. But when I'm slimmer, I get the above-and-beyond treatment. Extra smiles, free food, offers to help, chatting. (Not that this happens constantly, even now )