Thanks for noticing!

Some days I struggle to find things to write about that are weight loss and exercise related. I really want to keep this blog focused on things that I do in my life that deal with losing weight. Today was one of those days until I went to the gym.

My gym is usually a hot bed of strange behavior and strange people. I am typically annoyed at the people who talk to me and want to tell me how to lose weight. There was an older gentleman the other day who told me to stop using weights because I was going to get bulky. He was comparing himself lifting weights to me lifting weights. He probably has about 40 years on me....um and he's a dude. I'm pretty sure that his body reacts differently than mine. I'm a young female....not an old dude. I finally told him that I've lost over 110 pounds doing it my way and I'm going to keep doing it my way. It didn't even phase him....(and that's they first time I've tried to use the "well I've lost an ass load of weight, so I think I kinda know what I'm doing line.")

Anyway....he's not what I wanted to talk about.

I've been working out early this week and I've noticed that the gym around 8 AM is full of teachers I had in elementary school! There are a few that I see from time to time and I always wave. (Of course they know who I am after all these years. Elementary school teachers remember everyone, and they have that way of making you feel like a kid again.)

So between yesterday and today I've seen 3 of them! (I know, I'm talking about them like they are wildlife and I'm observing them in their natural habitat!) Anyway, I ended up talking to one of them. She was also one of my many swimming coaches through the years. We caught up about our families and then she told me that she's noticed how much weight I've lost. She said I look great, which I do, and asked how much I've lost.

After that we talked for a minute about how people perceive me now. I told her that everyone wants to know what I've done because they want to do it. When I tell them I've counted calories and worked out for about 2 years they lose interest. Everyone wants a quick fix.

It was nice to talk to her about all of that because she reinforced to me that I'm really doing it the right way. There are a lot of other people who also agree with what I'm doing and that always makes me feel good too. It's that nice realization that there is no quick fix and the work I'm putting in is working and other people are noticing how hard I'm working.

It's time for me to talk about myself!

Imagine that, me talking about myself. Who knew?

So, I've been running into people that I haven't seen for a while. I was unaware that some people are startled when they see me. I guess if I haven't seen someone for a few months it could be a little odd to see me.

The other day someone was so surprised to see me that they hugged me. I'm not much of a hugger, but I couldn't avoid it.

I've also been asked if I'm noticing the difference and feeling different. My response is, yes I do notice the difference. When I look at recent pictures I see the difference. A few times I've had to do a double take at the picture. I smile a lot when I look at pictures now and it also sucks because the other people in the pictures look at them and tell me that they look awful. I'm not going to lie. I think I  look pretty good in most pictures and I want to post them all on FB, but when everyone else says they look awful, I can't post them!

As for the other question, I don't really feel different. I feel the way I've always felt. My personality hasn't changed, my beliefs haven't changed (OK, some have), my morals haven't changed, ect, ect. I'm the same, I just look different. I guess people want to think that I've had some big epiphany about life and love, or whatever, but I haven't. All of those beliefs are still in tact.

I do try more activities that I was scared to do before or didn't think I could do because of how much I weighed, but everything else is still the same. I'm still the same outspoken, over opinionated, loud, hard working, smart, hilarious girl that I've always been.

Compliments

            I love to have all of the attention, but on my own terms! I love to be the center of attention when I know everyone in the room and when I’m bringing the attention to myself. I love it when everything revolves around me, but I have to be in charge of those things too! On the other hand, I get really shy and quiet when someone else brings the attention to me! I’m sure some people can’t believe that at all, but it’s true.

            With any weight loss, come compliments. Obviously, the compliments are supposed to be encouraging, supportive, happy, and motivational. I like the compliments and that people have noticed the change, but sometimes I have no idea what to say and if there are people around that I don’t know it makes me want to hide.

            I have also received some compliments that make me laugh to myself. It’s clear to me that people want to say something nice, but sometimes they don’t know what to say and it ends up like a compliment with jagged edges. Here’s a list of some of the odd compliments I’ve gotten from friends, coworkers, strangers, etc…

1. “Wow, you look great. You have shape.”
2. “I can really tell now, because your face isn’t fat.”
3. “Wow, I’m so proud of you. Do you think it will last?”
4. “It’s working now, but I hope you’re body doesn’t get used to it [the meal plan] and just starts gaining again. I’m sure you’ll be ok though.”
5. “I didn’t know you had a waist.”
6. “I think you look great, but I miss drinking with you.”
7. “So, when can you have a beer?”

So, I know that those compliments aren’t meant to hurt me, but sometimes the come out wrong. So, here are some of the nice comments I get too.

1. “You look flippin’ amazing.”
2. “You are shrinking! You look fantastic.”
3. “Amazing.”
4. “I’m speechless; you look awesome.”

Overall, I appreciate all of the compliments that I receive. Sometimes they just catch me off guard, and sometimes I just don’t know what to say. I usually just say thank you. I wonder what would happen if I just started agreeing with everyone when they gave me a compliment.

Random person: “Wow, you look great!”

Me: “I know, right?”