A few WOWS, especially for us "older" women
Since I am almost 8 weeks out from surgery, I thought that I would post some "WOWS" especially to encourage newcomers.
I've never considered myself attractive, and this is an understatement - even when I was of normal weight. I don't know where this idea came from because, in reality, I am probably more average-looking, but my idea of my looks has always bordered on "ugly". (I have VERY LARGE breasts for which I was mocked as a slim teenager by men driving by me on the street; those experiences made me feel ugly and like I didn't belong - I think that that is where the idea of "ugly" started)
Some WOWS
I am losing weight and changing sizes, so I am thinking that I probably look nicer than I have as the obese teacher that I've been for a long time. I am now wearing skirts that are size 16 when I am used to wearing size 18W. I can put on my boots without thinking that I have a bowling ball in between me and my feet LOL. I'm wearing suede that I haven't worn in a few years and wonderful winter coats that have been in a closet are now fitting. Students are coming up to me and telling me that I look great - my hair, glasses, etc. are commented on, but I think that they don't realize that I have lost weight, just that something has changed.
Here is the big WOW that I recently experienced.
There is a really nice man who teaches where I teach. I think that he is very friendly, handsome and just a very nice guy - he's also in his forties and I am 59. He came up to me last week, looked me in the face, and said "Margaret, you look fantastic", and he didn't move - he just stared at me for a few seconds. I thought that I was going to cry, but I kept my composure and told him "Thanks. I really appreciate your telling me that". To say that I was shocked, is an understatement. I went back to my desk and sat there trying to digest what I'd just heard. It's been a long time since a good looking man has said those words to me and I wanted to imprint them in my soul. I will never forget what he said and the feeling that I experienced as a result. And, he'll never truly really know how he affected me that day when he was so complimentary.
I usually don't reveal much about myself here; I tend to take a backseat and just read the posts and try to be supportive. But this time, I thought that I would let others know how deeply this surgery has affected my spirit.
I realize that the comments will come for a while as I go through this journey and that they will make me feel good, but they will not go on forever. I also know that the most important comments are not the ones made by handsome colleagues but the ones that I make to myself because, when it comes down to it, I'm all that I've got (and we are all that we really have). However, I will always remember the day that, as a result of this surgery, I felt like a woman again and an attractive woman at that!
Margaret
"When I look in the mirror, I see my beauty" - I am going to pin that on my bathroom mirror until I begin to believe it!
I've never considered myself attractive, and this is an understatement - even when I was of normal weight. I don't know where this idea came from because, in reality, I am probably more average-looking, but my idea of my looks has always bordered on "ugly". (I have VERY LARGE breasts for which I was mocked as a slim teenager by men driving by me on the street; those experiences made me feel ugly and like I didn't belong - I think that that is where the idea of "ugly" started)
Some WOWS
I am losing weight and changing sizes, so I am thinking that I probably look nicer than I have as the obese teacher that I've been for a long time. I am now wearing skirts that are size 16 when I am used to wearing size 18W. I can put on my boots without thinking that I have a bowling ball in between me and my feet LOL. I'm wearing suede that I haven't worn in a few years and wonderful winter coats that have been in a closet are now fitting. Students are coming up to me and telling me that I look great - my hair, glasses, etc. are commented on, but I think that they don't realize that I have lost weight, just that something has changed.
Here is the big WOW that I recently experienced.
There is a really nice man who teaches where I teach. I think that he is very friendly, handsome and just a very nice guy - he's also in his forties and I am 59. He came up to me last week, looked me in the face, and said "Margaret, you look fantastic", and he didn't move - he just stared at me for a few seconds. I thought that I was going to cry, but I kept my composure and told him "Thanks. I really appreciate your telling me that". To say that I was shocked, is an understatement. I went back to my desk and sat there trying to digest what I'd just heard. It's been a long time since a good looking man has said those words to me and I wanted to imprint them in my soul. I will never forget what he said and the feeling that I experienced as a result. And, he'll never truly really know how he affected me that day when he was so complimentary.
I usually don't reveal much about myself here; I tend to take a backseat and just read the posts and try to be supportive. But this time, I thought that I would let others know how deeply this surgery has affected my spirit.
I realize that the comments will come for a while as I go through this journey and that they will make me feel good, but they will not go on forever. I also know that the most important comments are not the ones made by handsome colleagues but the ones that I make to myself because, when it comes down to it, I'm all that I've got (and we are all that we really have). However, I will always remember the day that, as a result of this surgery, I felt like a woman again and an attractive woman at that!
Margaret
"When I look in the mirror, I see my beauty" - I am going to pin that on my bathroom mirror until I begin to believe it!
wow, Margaret that is really a boost of confidence. Usually I don't know how to take a compliment. I qm not used to hearing them. I have been heavy all my life and received very few.
I am happy he made you feel good, and you should. You have done a lot of hard work to get where you are. I am sure he found you attractive. Men don't easily give them.
Thanks for the story, I really enjoyed it. I hope some strange man says that to me one day. My husband doesn't even do that!
Good luck and best wishes
Mary
I am happy he made you feel good, and you should. You have done a lot of hard work to get where you are. I am sure he found you attractive. Men don't easily give them.
Thanks for the story, I really enjoyed it. I hope some strange man says that to me one day. My husband doesn't even do that!
Good luck and best wishes
Mary
Mary
I am on my way. What a ride it has been.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/Sharing
I am on my way. What a ride it has been.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/Sharing

Margaret
Cool feeling, isn't it? After about 3 years, after you've lost your weight and are getting used to your new body and people getting used to how good you look, you'll look forward to seeing someone you haven't seen in oh, about 3 years, to come along and be blown away. My 40th class reunion was a ball!
Congratulations. Keep up the good work. It's worth it.
Candy
Cool feeling, isn't it? After about 3 years, after you've lost your weight and are getting used to your new body and people getting used to how good you look, you'll look forward to seeing someone you haven't seen in oh, about 3 years, to come along and be blown away. My 40th class reunion was a ball!
Congratulations. Keep up the good work. It's worth it.
Candy
Congratulations to my fellow Canadian!
Your post made me pause as I can surely identify with your comments about self-image. I have always felt fat & ugly, plain at best...also, as an early developer and very shy, suffered from taunts and teasing and so I retreared even further.
It seems that some of us take the long route to finally acknowledging & accepting our own inherent beauty...I'm still working on that.
Treasure each and every positive compliment, but cherish, even more, the compliments & positive self-awareness that come from within yourself.
Nancy B
This was a wonderful post. I love reading about WOWs from the relative newbies. It does encourage those even newer than you. Continue to pay it forward.
Please, don't worry about revealing yourself here. You are amongst family. We are here to support you through the bad times, and embrace your good times with you.
Please, don't worry about revealing yourself here. You are amongst family. We are here to support you through the bad times, and embrace your good times with you.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!