I know this will definitely spark some interest, so I would like to share some of my experience, although I am sure that my level of success is no where on par with what many of you who have lost, some 20, some 30, some even 100 pounds.

I started at 180+ pounds, and am now down to about 168 pounds. And for me, because I am of small stature, it shows that I have lost a little weight. (My goal weight is about 150. It's my "ideal" weight since in my experience, the BMI standard weight will definitely make me look too haggard). Anyway, back to what I was saying.

People have begun to notice that I have lost weight, and I thought everyone would be patting me on the back and saying, "marvelous job, great work, keep it up". Noooo!!! A couple of my co-workers, who I think would prefer to see me fat and out of shape, said, "Don't lose any more weight!" Yeah right! Gimme a break! Who are you kidding?

You would have thought that it would end there, this time, am getting reverse psychology from some smart alecs. This time they've decided to make you feel like you've accomplished nothing. "Hey, you're getting fat there. Take the stairs instead of the elevator." So for these people, its a matter of them not being able to accept the fact that I have lost weight, and they want me to feel like am "still" fat and have not accomplished anything.

That's why I do not pay attention to any of them, either end of the scale (no pun intended). Am very happy. Am not totally satisfied with where I am yet, so I will continue until I am even happier.

I know that many of you can relate to either one of these scenarios. And I want to encourage you as you go through this roller coaster ride to your ideal weight. It's challenging sometimes, but very rewarding indeed. Surround yourself with people you encourage and support you, and if those are hard to find, am sure you will find many here to lend that support that you so long for!

180+/168/150

I think you are wise to overlook the insensitive comments of others. You've done very well with your weight management efforts. I would bet you feel more energetic, and better all-around - physically and emotionally. Well done!

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

My mother.
The woman who once took me out for ice cream as an opportunity to let me know how concerned she was about how heavy I had become.
Then. . .
A few weeks ago when she & my dad were visiting, she told me I shouldn't lose anymore weight - I might be TOO skinny.
*sigh*
I can't win.


Stacie
222(Too Fat)/128(Too Skinny)

bah. my mom told me i was wasting away and was going to look sickly...when i went down to a size 16! it sounds like some of your coworkers are especially nasty, though. i do try to minimize exchanges with people that aren't very nice, and i have been know to laugh at people and tell them they were insane. (like my mom.)

ignore the naysayers! nay to the naysayers is what i say!

__________________


Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

yup. i continue to ignore rude comments. strangely enough, am getting more rude comments now than i ever got when i was heavy, frankly because i believe that people are scared of how i will look once i am thin. Am a threat! hahahaha.

i actually stopped confiding in a certain friend because when others would comment that i have lost weight, she would actually say "i don't think so", and that's while am standing right there! - that was because she was trying to lose weight and couldn't. i noticed this friend kept doing that, so to avoid getting upset with her, whenever i felt like saying how great my weight loss was going, i just share my excitement with someone else. i understand what she is going through too, so that's why i chose to ignore her.

Before this WOL, I just got tired of people telling me, "you have such a pretty face.", you're face is so pretty"..... - i realized they couldn't say that "I" was so pretty, because the rest of me was out of whack. I decided to get the whole package together. But where were they when i was eating candy everyday, they never cared if i ate myself into oblivion, so why show all this "interest" now that am doing something about it?

Am trooping on.....

Gospelgyal: wow, you're in the West Indies. I love it over there!

But I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in your continued losses. Twelve pounds is a great deal regardless of a person's height, so please know that you are doing beautifully.

First, any success is a tremendous accomplishment when it comes to weight loss.

When I got to 250 one time on phen/fen people kept saying that I was getting too small and I laughed. I thought if "you think this is too thin you are nuts!" But some people get use to seeing us a certain way and then can't handle anything else.

You keep on doing what you are doing. It's great!

__________________
Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.

Congratulations. You are doing great!

I have been asked if I am ill while deliberately losing weight and a lot of people at work, continually tell me that a little slice of cake won't hurt. I'm lucky that not many people are deliberately obstructive.

I'm also lucky in that the people closest to me support my desire to lose weight, although not necessarily the plan I am following. I know not everyone is as lucky. As time has gone on, the objections have gotten less as they see me really healthy, willing to go out to restaurants and losing weight. For those few who have continued to carp, the main reason seems to be jealousy - I am doing what I set out to do, I am finding it surprisingly easy to stick to and I am losing weight.

I think for many people, the overweight friend is safe, offering no competition to relationships, their jobs, their place in the social hierarchy. When we lose weight, we become threats to them.

We can't change how other people think, only how we think and how we react. My advice is to try to ignore and move on. If this fails, try to think of positives about the other person and build them up while explaining that you are losing weight for yourself.

__________________

I can definitely relate to this thread...My husband and I started rock climbing a few years ago. We were in the best shape of our lives; our metabolism was through the roof so we ate well and still lost the weight. (I am only 5'3 1/2, so I can't afford too much 'pudge'.) My friends (women) began telling me I had lost "too much weight". My husband told me I looked fantastic and not to worry about what they say. Now, I hope no one takes offense to this... sometimes women get jealous of each other when we have something they want: a new boyfriend, outfit, ring, weight loss, etc. Thank GOODNESS not everyone is this way, but many people in the workplace in particular seem to have that attitude. Maybe it's related to that seemingly ever-present competitive workplace environment? So, after stopping the rock climbing (not enough time or money, ugh) I have managed to regain about thirty pounds. After my first week on Atkins, I have lost 5 pounds! Anyway, some of the same people are already beginning to say tell me not to lose too much. (sigh) I'm just so glad there is this forum to listen, share and gain support from each other. The best of luck to all!