Should I be pissed or pleased?

When I started dieting I was 198lbs and a (UK) size 18 (pushing 20). This was back in August.

Well I'm now 155lbs and a size 14. So that's what 2-3 dress sizes?

Well you'd have thought someone would have noticed.

Admittedly a lady I work with noticed like 2 weeks in, but to be honest I think that was more of a random guess.

Anyway, when I told her I was dieting she seemed so shocked and said I could be no larger tha a size 12-14. Recently shes asked if I'm a size 10... This lady is a very genuine person, so it's not sarcasm...

Anyway, tonigh I was talking to the baker (a little nutty but we get on quite well) and I mentioned that my trousers were driving me nuts and he asked why, I demonstrated the fact they were waaaaaaaaay to big and he asked why I had got my trousers in that size.

I muttered about how i USED to be that big and he seemed so shocked that I was on a diet. He told me he never thought I was "large" or "that wide" (gee thanks.) and seemed really shocked.

Now I'm 5'2 so 198 wasn't tiny believe me.

But how can you not notice I've lost 43 POUNDS!!!

So I'm not sure if I should be pleased that no one appears to have seen me as being "large" or pissed that all my hard work is for nothing as no one seems to notice anything.

It's extremely exasperating!!

Often, when people see you everyday, they will not notice the weight loss, or a new haircut, new makeup etc.  However, if you were to go away for a week and come back-trust me people would notice.  Also, I am sure you would get tons of compliments if you invested in some new clothes; it is possible that by wearing your ill-fitting old ones, you still look big.  Don't be pissed, soon, the compliments will come flowing in and will perk you right up! Keep up the good work-remember, you are doing this for yourself, not  to gain compliments from others.

Be proud of yourself.

Go to a thrift store and buy a couple of outfits in your new size.  You'll feel better about yourself and don't worry about what anyone else thinks.

Buy new when you hit your goal.

How frustrating! I'm sure you just want to shout out to everyone what an accomplishment you've made, and it has to be a crushing blow to have no one notice. Its a huge deal to you, and it would be nice if others saw it as well. Don't take it personally, though. People who see you on a regular or daily basis are usually the last ones to see weight loss, since its not an overnight change.

You know what would make make all the difference in the world? Wearing clothes that actually fit you! It sounds like you're still wearing your bigger clothes that are not showing off your new physique. I'm not saying to go buy a new wardrobe every time you drop a size, but a few new pieces you can mix in would make a big difference.

Keep up the good work! You should be very proud of yourself.

Lol, mom2one... I only see him once a week. Every friday night. Depending on if one of us is on holiday. I do 5pm-9pm shift and he comes in at 9... usually a bit before and I stay a bit after to natter. Sometimes if one of us is n holiday we might not see each other for a few weeks. I don't see these people that much as we do different shifts.

My uniform isn't by any means the most flattering, though i wear an apron which sinches everything in at the waist... but I figured 40lbs would do something.

Anyway, I've already got lots of nice clothes :) But thanks for the advice. Uniform I've ordered another before xmas but havent heard anything back... utterly typical of where i work.

Screw what the rest of the world thinks.
You know you lost 43 pounds. Do it for yourself =]

Be proud - losing 43 pounds is hard work!! 

 

Actually it sounds like you don't see those people ENOUGH for them to have noticed your weightloss... they have a mental picture of how you look and it's probably pretty vague since they only see you five minutes a week. Add that to the ill-fitting uniform and I'm not surprised that they haven't noticed how great you look.

Thanks for the replies! Made me feel much better, perhaps they'll notice after the next 30lbs.

Ahh well, i they don't, I know I'm fabulous :)

A slightly different perspective to consider...

I think we all make judgments about people when we first meet them.  If we don't get a chance to know them better, those tend to be lasting impressions.  Once we do get to know someone, suddenly you start to know the "real person" and you see them for who they really are.

Your description above leads me to believe that you have quite an engaging personality. So people you interact with already see the "real you" and probably are surprised when you tell them you've lost 40 pounds.  They already see that person.  I think you described it best in your last entry..."Ahh well, if they don't, I know I'm fabulous." I think that's who they already see.

Hope this wasn't too out there.

Cheers! 

Isn't it funny though? I mean how can people not notice? I think nowadays, people (especially men) are afraid to say anything in case it's not the case! I have had very few mention my weight loss, little as it is (20 pounds) but the couple that did made my day and I hugged them for noticing. My best friend, who normally notices EVERYTHING about me , has not said a word! My own mother didn't mention it a Christmas.

I understand what you mean about the clothes thing. Most of mine are really hanging on me and so I am slowly adding a sale piece here and there, hoping I will need an even smaller size in a couple months! (especially pants!)

I can't help but think YOU must feel wonderful about your great loss! I think it is fantastic!!! Way to go!!!