The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Serendipity]

133 today.

I know I haven't been posting much in my journal lately, but when a person is working 14-16 hrs/day and eating and sleeping the rest of the time, there really isn't much to report. During tax season, I go into survival mode....put one foot in front of the other and get through it. Not that I don't enjoy the work, but......

[Serendipity]

131.5 today. Good place.

My weight won't settle down. Maybe this is normal, but in the last week, I've gone up as far as 135 and back down to 131 without changing anything. Well, that's a 4 lb. fluctuation. Maybe that's what I need to get used to.

I know how Liz feels, though. When I'm up around my goal weight, I'm not comfortable. I want my average weight to be about 130-132. When I'm there, I'm consious of the fact that I'm under my goal and feel so much better. At 135, I get a little nervous. Oh the mind games we play.

Tonight is our party. Still don't know what food we're taking. Hubby wants to get creative.

[bikipatra]

133 today.

I know I haven't been posting much in my journal lately, but when a person is working 14-16 hrs/day and eating and sleeping the rest of the time, there really isn't much to report. During tax season, I go into survival mode....put one foot in front of the other and get through it. Not that I don't enjoy the work, but......

I'm going into Jo withdrawal since we don't have as much time for our coffee club...

[Serendipity]

I'm having trouble getting started this morning. Saturday work is different. The office is quieter, we don't "dress" as we do on weekdays. I could wear my jammies if I wanted to. I spend 3 minutes tops on my makeup and hair.....kinda scary.

Trying to get motivated.......

[Serendipity]

134 today.

Never did get motivated yesterday. I was at work for 6 hours and only had 1 billable hour, sheeeez. I blame biki for at least part of it, hehe.

The party last night was quite interesting. There were lots of people there who I had never met and also some who I hadn't seen in a looooong time. One particular couple reacted in the most interesting way. We were standing around talking with the wife, just chit chat. I was standing beside my husband. After a bit, she said, "Mark, is your wife here?" He looked around and said "Yes, she's here somewhere". Then he asked one of the men standing near us, "Bill, have you seen JoAnn?", Bill said, "No Mark, haven't seen her." There were chuckles all around and the woman looked puzzled. Even when I looked right at her, she still didn't recognize me! Someone had to tell her it was me! I know I've changed alot, but wow....it made me feel so odd.

Then later, I was talking to this same woman. She was actually asking me about Medifast. She needs to lose weight and we were talking about how losing weight makes such a difference in your health.....well, anyway, her husband walks up and joins in the conversation. After a few minutes, the wife said, "Dave, do you know who this is?" He said, "I know I should, but it's not coming to me, give me a minute"......HE DIDN"T KNOW ME EITHER!!!!! I'm a little freaked out abou this. I don't know how to feel about it. I feel normal and it just floors me when someone points out to me that I have changed so much that I'm unrecognizable. Oh well, this, too, shall pass. There aren't that many people in this town. Eventually, everyone will know and it will be old news.

Laundry, knitting, nap, Netflix, fire in the fireplace......that's my plan for the day.

[bikipatra]

I would be immensely flattered and also a bit perturbed just like you were. I would feel like I had been invisible when fat and no one ever really noticed what I looked like or sounded like. These are all my issues so I am not putting them on you. Men are so clueless, just chalk it up to that.

[Joelie]

I had a similar experience 2 weeks ago, Jo.

While at his memorial service for a co-worker's husband, another co-worker who has been retired for a little over a year, had no clue I was doing this and whom I haven't seen since she had left the office looked at me and walked right past me to another co-worker I was there with. They stood (right next to me) and talked a few minutes. She kept looking at me like she thought she should know me but was clueless at the same time. Very odd feeling. Kind of felt a little lost.....just for a brief moment though.

She later called the office to speak with the co-worker I was there with and asked her who she was at the service with. She was absolutely floored when she learned it was me. She and I then spoke, she apologized and congratulated me all in the same breath. Said she was going to make a trip to the office just get another look at me since she knows who I am now.

In my previous state, I would have preferred to be invisible and unnoticed. In my previous state, I probably wouldn't have even gone to the service.

[Karli]

Hi, Jo. Well, I know you are very strong and that this is a passing phase, as you said and as you realize. But, I know that the feelings this may bring up can seem pretty convincing and bewildering; it's a *trip,* plain and simple. I guess you rocked their world a little, and that's always an interesting thing for everybody involved, no matter what the cause.

You know, sometimes I wonder if you truly realize just how profound what you did and what you are doing is ? I know the program is built for everyone to live the same kind of success you experienced and are still experiencing through it, but YOU made it happen for yourself. No matter how you dice it, no matter what the program, what you did is ... well, really important. And, as I know you already know, no program is going to work for anybody if the individual is not the driving force behind it. While your example speaks highly of the program, it speaks even more highly of YOU. The way you have turned your life around can be a lot to digest.

But, this sounds like a great plan and you apparently have a way to help yourself do some good digesting :

Laundry, knitting, nap, Netflix, fire in the fireplace......that's my plan for the day.

Cheers to you, Jo.

Karli

[Serendipity]

I wouldn't say I was perturbed. It wasn't their fault at all. But, I was just so unsettled. I guess that's a better word. I don't know why I should be surprised when people react that way. I am different. I hardly recognize the old me when I see a picture. There aren't alot of similarities between the two faces. And these people can't readily see the inside...the part that hasn't changed. I dunno. I just wish this part was over.

I fear that it may never be over, though. I know a few people who lost weight years ago. Years! And every time I see them, the first thing I think of is that. Unless I move away from here, the stigma will always be there.

[Lizabette]

JO You said: "I fear that it may never be over, though. I know a few people who lost weight years ago. Years! And every time I see them, the first thing I think of is that. Unless I move away from here, the stigma will always be there."

This may be a 'cross' we have to bear, but I am more than happy to bear it! I'm sure that your friends and aquaintances admire you and respect you for what you have accomplished!

You go, girl!

[Serendipity]

Liz, I envy your acceptence. I have always wanted to just be normal and I'm normal now, so I don't want to be a spectical anymore. I understand that this can't be, but that's what I wish. Guess I still have some attitude adjusting to do. Gosh, it's never ending, lol.

133 today. I'm not doing anything different and my weight is all over the place. At least I haven't gone over my goal weight.

Winter storm warning here. We already have about 2 inches, so Beth, it's on it's way to you. We're expected to get 10-14 inches of snow today and tomorrow. Schools will close, I'm sure......hey, why doesn't work close for snow????? HUH??????? I love this part of winter, though....the snowing pretty part and the part where the roads are cleared and you can get around, but it's still pretty. That lasts for about 5 minutes before everything gets muddy and dirty and still cold.

[DonicaB]

I agree with Karli, what you have done is amazing and I think people just don't know how to react sometimes. I also think people are envious because you have proven to be a success. They may not even realize they are envious.

Think about it.....how often do you see people lose weight successfully? In the world we live in overweight people seem to stay overweight.......so, we don't know how to react when someone is actually successful.

Hold your head up high, Jo. You are an inspiration and when people look at you they see someone who is successful, not someone who was once fat. Be proud, Jo.

DonicaB

[Lauren]

Jo, I get it. Boy, do I get it. It is so totally uncomfortable to have to re-introduce yourself to people you've known forever. It's uncomfortable to them, and it's uncomfortable to us. I have been doing this constantly as well, and I guess one of the parts that's awkward is that even when it's not intended, I feel like I am somehow bragging or showing off when I have to say to someone "yes, you know me, I've just lost a ton of weight." Automatically it sounds like I am tooting my horn, but what else is there to say?

And it is weird because you feel like they "should" know me, they should see my eyes, hear my voice, recognize my smile. But just like you said, we don't even recognize ourselves! I swear I keep looking at pics of me now and for a moment don't know it's me. I still see "fat lauren," and then when a picture tells a different story, it's totally a weird sensation. The funny thing about that is when I was fat, I didn't really see myself as fat, so when I saw a picture of me then, I was always confused too! :-) I was like "who's that?" hahah

Yeah, it would be nice to be normal with no story. But the truth is, our stories are indeed amazing. And instead of thinking about the negative part, like why we let ourselves get so big in the first place, why not approach it from the proud stance of how truly miraculous our success has been. It has been awe-inspiring, and people's reactions, no matter how awkward, are a reflection of understanding what a great obstacle we've overcome.

Own it, Jo. Don't shy away, there's no point, as it will keep coming. Why not view it as periodic moments of ammunition to keep us on track? You know, if you're having a weak week or something, and someone comments on your weightloss, you can't help but to feel invigorated!

But yeah, it's freakin' weird, you are totally speaking to the choir!

Lauren

[bikipatra]

Liz, I envy your acceptence. I have always wanted to just be normal and I'm normal now, so I don't want to be a spectical anymore. I understand that this can't be, but that's what I wish. Guess I still have some attitude adjusting to do. Gosh, it's never ending, lol.
.

You know Jo, so have I. Wanted to be normal. And for different reasons, and maybe someday the same reason, that will probably be denied to us on a few occasions. Not that big a deal once you accept it.

[Lizabette]

"Own it, Jo. Don't shy away, there's no point, as it will keep coming. Why not view it as periodic moments of ammunition to keep us on track? You know, if you're having a weak week or something, and someone comments on your weightloss, you can't help but to feel invigorated! "

What an actually stupendous remark from LAUREN! Wish I had said it...
From now on, especially, our lives will be filled with learning experiences dealing with our wonderful new image. Yeah, let's own it! And love it!