It's strange to not have people recognize you...

I saw several people today that I haven't seen in a while and to be honest they didn't recognize me at first. It's kind of odd when that happens. I know I look different, but I don't percieve that I look 'that' different. I 'feel' like I still look like me, but apparently, I don't. It's strange to have someone **** their head to the side and look at you quizically until the light of recognition crosses their faces as they hear your voice and realize who you are. The first few times it happened, it was novel, but as it continues I have to say that it's a little un-nerving. I guess in large part, because I am basically the same person I was a year ago, there is just less of me.

Have you had this happen? If so, how often does it happen and how does it make you feel?

     While I haven't had the pleasure of that experience yet, I do look forward to it. (Don't know anyone here well enough to not recognize me.)          However, I have definately noticed that people engage me in conversation MUCH more than ever before.       Most people would just kind of glance at me out of the corner of their eye before or look past me like my obesity was contagious or something.      Now it seems like everywhere I go takes me a little bit longer. LOL Many people approach me and initiate conversation.       It's kinda nice to be recognized again. My thoughts. xoxo Mare

Mare,

Thanks for sharing your perspective. I wonder how much of people's change in attitude is their change vs. our own perceptions of ourselves ... what I mean is are we behaving differently which causes other to percieve us differently? Is it some combinaton? I wonder?

While people I see regularly rarely give me the do I know you stare, it happens often when I see folks I haven't seen in several months. I imagine that will happen to you as you progress in your journey.

Any chance you'll be able to come up for dinner in August?

I'd love to see you.

Barb

Mare, Love the avie! You look fabulous. Teresa

Thanks Teresa.  ;O)

I know exactly what you mean Barb..  It is weird to have people you have known your entire lives look at you like you are a stranger.  I used to be offended and think that whomever did not speak to me was being a snob.. but now I know they just dont recognize me at times.  Heck.. sometimes I dont recognize myself!!

I know that when I was in NYC and walking down the street I had to take a second look sometimes when I saw myself. When I say that I see the same person, I guess I still see me when I look into my eyes. I also generally don't look directly at myself since I'm on the inside looking out :0

Barb

When we were home for my brother-in-law's funeral, I saw a bunch of people that did the head tilt thing, although they did eventually realize who I was.  I guess I was kind of expecting it for that occassion (since I hadn't seen so many of those people in awhile.)  so it wasn't so un-nerving.  If it starts happening in day to day life, I could see how it would seem kind of odd. I've experienced the same things that Mare mentioned too.  I'm sure I'm a bit more outgoing when talking to people now, but I find that some people look for reasons to talk to me, when in the past they didn't want to hang around too long or "catch the obesity"  :)  I used to walk into places like GNC and feel out of place.  Many of the employees practically rolled their eyes at me.  Now I find that I'm being flirted with when I go in there!  The first time it happened I thought the guy was just being friendly but then my sister and niece just couldn't stop talking about how much he was flirting.  It's really bizarre.  My mind just doesn't register that anyone is flirting with me.  I have to admit, I feel like it's kind of flattering. 

That is my favorite WOW! Yesterday I saw my Aunt who I haven't seen in almost a year. She looked at me, then looked at my son and said hello, then glanced back at me and the recognition light came on. She squealed and hugged. She didn't know me. She said if my son hadn't been with me she would not have opened the door. I can't see the difference as that profound but it was a good moment.

One of my postal customers which I talk to a lot was at a resturant  and walked past me. I gave her a little wave ....she stared a me ****ed her head  and finally she recognized me.  It was a odd feeling but a good feeling also. I use to be either the freak show to be stared at or invisiable..to be ignored, Now people engage conversation and treat me human.   Now that part sometimes makes me angry.  Myrtis