Note: These are my observations....I'd love to read what you have noticed.

*The little old men practically hurdle the pews to "pass me the peace" in church now.
*I am getting over old phobias...like white pants. The last time I owned white pants, they were diapers. I've been afraid that those walking behind me would be tempted to show movies on my behind. Now I own two pair.
*Sizes are so confusing. I've even had to resort to asking for help. Here is a big example: I actually invited a sales person from Victoria's Secret into the very small, pink dressing room. "Here is the thing...I need to buy new bras. I've lost a lot of weight...well, 'my girls' have never been this size before and I don't exactly know what to do with them." I hoped she took my blush to be a reflection of the pink surroundings. You know what? She was great and I walked out of there with sexy, low-cut, push-up bras! The "girls" and I are perky. Wow.
*Did you know that belts could be so expensive?
*Children, old people, and those who have also lost weight are so supportive. They offer complements and observations that catch me by surprise. I'm a teacher and I always thought my size wasn't something kids noticed...I mean they always seem to offer unconditional love. Now when I walk my kids to the bus for their end-of-day hugs, former students come up to comment on my clothes or appearance. (I have taught them that it is not a good idea to ask people how much they weigh.)
*Then there are the unsolicted comments that leave me responseless. "Heavy" friends and aquaintences tell me why low carb diets or whatever diet won't work for them....in detail. The first time it happened I wondered, "Where did that come from?" It has happened so often now that I'm tempted to say, "Whoa! I'm not judging you...who am I to judge anyone? You are speaking to the choir! I know diets don't work!"
*How about those other comments? Friends say things like, "You make me sick!" In any other context of success, would that be said? How about, "You don't need to lose any more!" I don't recall soliciting advice about being thin any more than I did at my heaviest. Thank goodness they didn't walk up to me when I was 210 and say, "You don't need to gain another ounce."
*Isn't it amazing that the comments and opinions of others mean so much less, now? What God and I think means so much more. I have even learned to say the powerful word, "No." Amazing! I still give to others, but I give to myself now, too. I even give myself down time now. I realize that I use to use food and alcohol as excuses to isolate myself. Now I recognize that I need some alone time and that is okay. Books and quiet nourish me.
*Have I always been kind and accepting? Absolutely not! I didn't understand all of the prissy fuss over clothes and appearance. I got up everyday and put on my "uniform" of 2X shirts and baggy pants. After all, I was a woman of "substance" (literally!) I judged my thin, "bombshell" friends. Get over yourself, I thought, there are so many important issues in the world! I use to think one of my friends stood in her closet each morning turning from one outfit to another saying," Not tight enough, not short enough, doesn't cling and squeeze..." Now, low and behold, I've become a p p p p princess. Now my derierre embracing pants have reached around to bite me in the butt! (It is kind of like how I used to think, "My kid will never do that before I had my son. And he didn't "do that" --he did worse.) Now my "outfits" are stylish and fitting. I must even confess that on occassion I've picked out what I was going to wear the night before. Maybe I won't go too far. I'm not like another one of my young, lithe friends who actually kept an outfit calendar to assure that she didn't repeat her wardrobe too often. If I begin to report that, please call for an intervention.
*Along the lines of the princess thang. I moved to Alabama 14 years ago. I was amazed at the efforts for style! I made my bow to my environment as best I could. I began getting acrylic nails and justified it by saying that the polish stayed on better and actually was a time saver. I allowed myself a few highlights in my hair and even wore a toe ring when I was feeling especially whimsical. But that was it!! Do you understand? Now I am a true Alabama girl. My clothes all match and are accessorized extensively. Where will this end? Will I begin to abide by the seven ring minimum? Yikes.
*Can you believe the parts of you that shrink? I used to wear a size 8 shoe, now I am 71/2. Now, c'mon...that's weird!
*As I get smaller, my heels get taller. My earrings get smaller--what's up with that?
*Do you have food dreams? I dream that I've eaten carbs (or drank alcohol) and wake up with rapid heart beat.
*I have a "phantom" belly. Ya know how they say that people with amputations sometimes still feel their leg or whatever? I swear I sometimes feel my big belly!
*I "feel myself up" as a way of getting in touch with reality. Holy mackeral! "I think that is a collar bone. Could those be hip bones?...ribs?"
*When did these crow's feet happen? I haven't really looked at my face in years--just enough to swipe on mascara or lipstick. Now I see myself in the mirror. Shocking.
*Doesn't it feel strange to get rid of "normal" sized clothes. And...I actually miss going into Lane Bryant's.
*Wasn't it weird to get into your "skinny jeans" and realize that they were so out of style, you wouldn't wear them anyway?
*Could you find a "before" picture? Please! I had an internal camera detector. There is little documentation that I've been on the planet for the last two decades.
*Have you noticed that you can't say these kind of things to the people in your life? It is embarrasing--it seems so self-absorbed. And, maybe it is...but these thoughts are definately running through my head making me go, "Hmmm." How about you.
LOL,
Sara<><
Who says thin people can't be jolly?