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The Kind Words of Strangers



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I have lost over 120lbs but still feel huge. I still have a lot to lose and dont take compliments very well. I never feel as though I deserve them. I was in a training session for work today. I know a few of the girls there but everyone else was from other offices. I was talking to one of the women I knew and we were discussing the fact that I can barely eat early in the day (lunch). One of the women that I had just met today said "What do you mean you cant eat during the day? Is something wrong?" I told her that I had weight loss surgery a couple of years ago. And the great responce that she gave me, " Did you used to be overweight? You dont look like someone that used to be overweight."

OMG! She not only said I dont look overweight but that I dont look like a former overweight person either. When someone that I know and that knows about my weightloss compliments me, I always feel that they think they have to say that or they are just being nice. This was someone that seemed in awe that I was ever big enough to have weight loss surgery. I know this may not make sense to most of you but to me, she made my day. I am only 5 lbs from ONEderland, but it still feels so far away. This stranger made me feel closer to that number than the scale does. I just had to share this. Anyone else had someone make them feel thin?

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I am thrilled for you that you had a wonderful experience today. Sometimes we just need to here those positve things. It was a NSV for you-bask in it-you deserve it!

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Yes! I know exactly the feeling and it's great. My new boss and a few other employees who are new to the office all said that they can't imagine me at 245lbs; I'm 132 now! It's crazy but the compliments are so nice. Still not used to them though.

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Karebare: isn't it amazing how a compliment from "the outside" can sometimes have that effect? Congrats to you on an amazing weight loss! So exciting!

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That is just so awesome! It’s funny how words can make or break your day! It’s kinda like the people that walk into our life and touch our hearts forever even if we had known them for a few short moments… it really makes me think how we can affect one another with our words and actions (makes me want to do better!). Thanks for sharing!

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Right! How do they say....never under-estimate the power of a kind word? It matters what we say and do, it really does--

That is just so awesome! It's funny how words can make or break your day! It's kinda like the people that walk into our life and touch our hearts forever even if we had known them for a few short moments… it really makes me think how we can affect one another with our words and actions (makes me want to do better!). Thanks for sharing!

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wonderful! I have people say they don't remember me fat. I think it was because they ignored that "fat lady". Many others say that I look like I lost enough weight now. I tell them, yes, I am satisfied with my loss. Strangers will be surprised when they see my ID and see this fat lady. I only have had one changed, but not my drivers license. Bask in your NSV!

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I do not take compliments well either. When my husband tells me I look good I don't believe him cause I feel like he HAS to say that. But when someone from the outside says I look good I am so happy. I am glad you experienced that moment. Keep up the good work. ONEderland will be here before you know it.

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Thanks everyone! What is NSV?? I went to a friends daughters birthday party yesterday. There were lots of old friends there that I havent seen in about a year. Each person saw me and there mouth just dropped. One woman said "you are just melting away!" Another didnt speak to me for about an hour. When I approached her and asked how she was doing, her reply was OMG, Karen is that you. She didnt even recognize me with my weightloss and new hairstyle. I hadnt seen her since right after my surgery 2 yrs ago. I love this. So close to ONEderland. I hope to be there in the next week or two. Thanks for all the support everyone!

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Not yet, but I still have hope. So very happy for you, though, and from the looks of your pic, I am not surprised they said that. Congrats!!!

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What is NSV??

Non-Scale Victory.

And congratulations on your weight loss. Those numbers are awesome!

Dave

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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