05/19/2011 23:24
Don't You See??!!
When we've had a history of yoyoing or diet failures, sometimes we're a little reluctant to let anyone know we are losing weight—again! But when we've been working hard at dropping the pounds, we are understandably proud, and want someone to notice. We may even have lost more pounds than ever before, or at least more than we've lost the last three attempts.
And no one says anything.
WHAT?! Can't you see I am shrinking?!
There can be a number of reasons why no one says anything, and it isn't always because no one noticed. Commenting on a woman's weight can be a dangerous minefield to stumble into. Men, especially, don't want to go there, out of cold, knee-shaking fear! Women have their own, more complex reasons.
My own experience was very frustrating. I had lost 35 pounds, and no one had said a word to me about it. We even went to a party, and everyone was fussing over my husband, and complimenting him on losing all kinds of weight he hadn't even lost! I went home that night, crushed. I had worked so hard, and no one even noticed!
I did what any self-respecting American woman would do under these circumstances—I took myself out for some retail therapy. I found some good sales, and finally rewarded myself with clothes three sizes smaller than when I started my program.
A few days later, we met the same group of friends at a restaurant for FAC. What a difference a few days made! Everyone was marveling at how good I looked, and how much weight I had lost. Overnight. Right. Clothes that fit had made all the difference in the world. When we went home that night, I tried on one of my old outfits, and realized that those saggy baggy clothes had kept anyone from being able to see what I had accomplished.
So I did what any self-respecting American woman would do under these circumstances—I took myself out for some more retail therapy.