Grrrr! Has anyone else been in a situation where you really just want to scream out that even though you're not super-skinny, you used to be bigger? I was out today, and got the once-over from a group of 92 lb teenage girls, where they manage to convey the fact that not only do they think you're disgusting, but also that they would NEVER let themselves look like you all in one glance. And I just wanted to turn around and tell them that I may not look like them, but I've lost weight already, and I'm not done losing weight, so they can stop looking at me like I'm a complete cow?!?! It's SO frustrating! I feel so good about the changes I've made, but people still look at me and assume I eat every meal at McDonalds, and then scarf a few chocolate bars in the car on the way home. Whew. Obviously needed to get that out of my system!

Unfortunately, time will teach them a lesson or two. Weight until they have had a baby or two or three, had their heart broken a time or two, gotten fluctuating hormones, lost metabolism and will power. Weight and see what their fate will be. Of course, I am kidding...a little. It is all a matter of perspective though as I would LOVE to be where you are now. You have done a GREAT job in losing 17 pounds and don't let the looks of some teenagers with nothing better to do than try to make themselves feel superior by making someone else feel inferior affect you. You keep on doing what you have been doing. Great job!

I hear you!, I feel that way a lot, you go into a jean store and you do not even get approached by the workers, they figure you are to old for the newer styles. I did not realize I was getting older until my nine year old daughter felt embarresed in the mall when I new a song and started to sing quietly and dance a little, she was like Moooom!. As long as we feel good and we know we look good, one day it will be there turn. They have not had all there hormones, or babie bearing years yet. Hang in there it allllll comes around.

Oh, completely. I know at least part of the time it's me just thinking that they are thinking that but sometimes.... grrrrr.... Especially on campus at UCF I'll walk past someone and get that feeling and just wanna yell "F U" back at them. But I don't, 'cos I'm probably never going to see them again and really, their opinions count for less than nothing anyway, right? The funny part is, I'm so much older than most of these kids that they all probably think I'm a teacher anyway, and so would never actually say anything that I could overhear... hehehee.

-Lala

A nice kharma story for everyone....All throughout school, I was obese. Not just overweight, but obese. When I finished high school, I was 5'5" and weighed about 250 lbs. Oddly enough, I wasn't teased that much because of it. I think part of it had to do with the fact that I went to a small school where all of us had grown up together since first grade. But there was one girl who was just cruel with her teasing. All the time. One time, she ran up behind me and grabbed my calf, saying that she "just wanted to see how flabby it felt." Anyways, our ten year reunion was a few months ago. I showed up about 75 pounds lighter than I was at graduation ... Well, she showed up about 75 heavier. It was all I could do to keep from pointing at her and going "well, that serves you right!!!"

Of course, then I felt guilty for thinking that...

I've said it once and I'll say it again: Teenagers (especially girls) are some of the meanest people on the planet. I didn't even like teenagers when I was one...

(Plus - who's to say that their '92'-lb bodies are any healthier than yours? Plus, they probably don't have any boobs anyway...lol - just kidding, people!)

*Most* (I say most because there are a few that pretty good people) are still trying to fit in and spend most of their energy doing it that they don't even know what they are doing because of their maturity level...(yes everyone - I do realize the I'm not behaving very maturely in this post)

Just keep in mind that you are an adult and what goes around comes around...sooner or later

But seriously - Great job on the 17-lb loss! You are doing a great job!

I agree with the skinnier does not mean healthier. My family used to always go hiking on Saturdays and each of the kids used to usually have at least one friend spending the nights. There is one trail that goes up to the Appalacian trail that is a pretty hard hike. Well a bunch of the other families from our church went with us on a couple of walks and I was probably one of the heaviest at 180. While some of the skinny moms had trouble I had their kids walking with me because they wanted to get to he part where the rock formations were to climb on them.

I know exactly how you feel. I'm a student too, and it's very hard to walk around campus and feel good about yourself until you see a pack of the Human Vultures with their *are-you-even-human?* slanty looks. It's very irritating. But think of it this way: not only are you improving yourself physically by losing weight, but having been on the heavier side really can make you a better person. Yes, it's a very difficult lesson to learn, but at least you can look at an overweight person and see the person, not the weight. I'd much rather have learned that lesson and then become thin than just be thin and prejudiced my entire life!

You're so right Kate - I was thinking about it on my way to school today, and I'm sure in my size 6 days I gave many the look at bigger people myself - and, of course, now I feel AWFUL about it, and know I'll never again judge someone by their size, or what they're having for lunch, or buying at the grocery store, because I have no idea where they are in their lives... so I guess 50 pounds has made me a better person. Let's just keep the better person part, though, and lose the pounds!
And I know thin doesn't necessarily mean healthier, but I live in a city where I swear 99% of the teenage girls have 26" waists and D-cups and perfect little bums - it's crazy! Either there's a multitude of perfect little alien teens here, or I just notice it WAY more since I'm overweight.
Anyway, thanks for listening to me rant, everyone, and for the support - it's much appreciated!