Ill never understand some people

I think there is some validity in both sets of opinions. 

I know when I first gained all my weight, I began being treated very differently at my previous job. There was a lady there named Madeline who had been up for a manager's job multiple times.  A 15 year veteran, ace at her job.  She also weighed over 300 lbs. Madeline worked hard and lost about half her total weight and bam, as soon as she did they were OFFERING her promotions rather than her trying to get them so hard.   She and I discussed and she definitely felt that if she still weighed that much, she would still be scrapping for a job.

However....this is the new you.  And there is the chance that it is all innocent and coincidental, so don't cut off your nose despite your face, so to speak.  Bask in your new found relevance and take advantage of it, I say.  :)

Ive been there, working twice as had for half the reconition. Im new to this and not quite comfortable in my own skin, there is sooo much more to this than loosing the weight, I may have lost some weight but Im still carrying the baggage that came with it.

Very interesting points--about people noticing you and what Ms. Shell said about you (generic "you") presenting yourself differently to the world as you lose weight. One thing I've found with myself and I don't know what to call it--there's got to be a psychological term for whatever it is. Anyway, when I look at the before/after photos here, it's almost like I'm looking at two different people. The before photos fill me with a sense of camaraderie and sometimes sympathy (look, they're fat like me, and they look so uncomfortable like me, and they look rather miserable like me). The after photos...I don't know. Somehow those same people are suddenly more intimidating. They're Normal Weight.

It's late and I'm tired and my thoughts aren't coming together the way I'd like.

Boomer, I know what you're saying about working twice as hard for half the recognition. It's almost like overweight people are perceived as lacking self-discipline, which somehow makes us less employable. We could be triple PhDs and it wouldn't necessarily make a bit of difference. Some of that is the way others perceive us but some has to be how we perceive and present ourselves. I think.

I think I'm so tired that I'm thinking in circles. Best to get to bed and sleep. They say that lack of sleep has been linked to obesity. Obviously that's part of my problem, lol.

Congratulations on losing 97+ lbs! That's FABULOUS! (And I love the way you think.)

True, Ive never really been a kind of in your face gal, but this thinner me IS more confident, I think so much of what made me who I am was because of my weight, I kind of hid behind it, now as the layers come off I kind of need to get acquainted with myself and find out who I am again, it could be both fun and painful.....don't know that I'm making much sense, but if anyone understands I'm sure someone on this board does. some things happened today that just hit me the wrong way, I'm sure Ill recover.

I make a point to ignore people who ignored me when I was heavier!  Sad but true!

I kind of feel like I was at THEIR mercy and they made the decisions on if they were going to accept me.....but now it is MY decision on if I want to be a part of their lives and I kind of like this position better. lol, but I wont stoop to their level or allow them to steal my joy, at this point I don't trust easily, so we will see where this goes. My attitude could get me in trouble

Connie,

They were IDIOTS!  Definately their loss!

*HUGS*

Fay

Thanks Fay, Who needs them...certainly not US!