Anybody else notice this? I still have 95 lbs to go but feel like I've rejoined society on some levels with the way people actually acknowledge my existence now.

Yep, totally agree. I have noticed it a lot that people, strangers and co-workers are nicer. lol!

Yes, it is terribly sad but it is so true. You can actually make eye contact with someone now. It's a shame that your outside has to change for someone to notice your inside.

Absolutely- doors are held open for me, strangers smile - odd but true.

I agree with slm. It is a shame . Its not like we're monsters or something! But yes, same here. MEN are actually looking at me different. holy cow, didn't think thatd ever happen!

Yeah, I've noticed this in the last few weeks. Everyone seems a lot more talkative, and I get compliments on my clothes...even though I've been wearing the same stuff for months...maybe a year even. Overall people are a bit nicer.

But lets look at the whole picture here...as we lose weight, we generally gain confidence and are happier with ourselves. We project that outwards and people definitely pick up on that. If you're walking around with your head hung low and frowning, most people will assume you're angry or are just a miserable person. No matter what stage of weight loss you're in, I think we're all walking with our heads held higher and in general are more approachable.

It's weird for me too. I've worked at my current job (IT at a hospital) for almost four years. I've met hundreds of people, and always had them treat me as a pleasant, non-threatening coworker. Comments were neutral. Now that I've lost over a hundred pounds, I'm getting flirtatious comments and thinly-veiled invitations. Women who (I presume) never thought of me as anything more than the fat guy from the IT department are now asking me out and such. There's a definite sparkle in their eye when we talk. I haven't changed my treatment of them, but suddenly it's taking on a whole deeper meaning from them. The fact that I'm married doesn't seem to faze them. It's a backhanded compliment, I know, but still kind of weird.

Dave

Dave-do you do emr by chance?

Yeah I totally agree more people are noticing a change, its strange more and more people notice a change and I promise you I still see the same old me and the mirror so weird comments like "oh, my how much weight have you lost and wow your losing weight" it's intresting but weird you know

While I've lost about 150 pounds since summer 2008 I still have 80 to go. Today 95% of my male coworkers open doors for me. Will rush up from behind me to get the door. Not something that used to happen!

Dave-do you do emr by chance?

I "speak" both emr and epm, as part of one of the software packages we support. I also take care of PCs and related equipment.

Dave

I've noticed similar changes. I feel like women especially treat me differently. I guess I never thought I was being dismissed because of my weight in the past, but now I'm noticing women are more likely to smile at me, or ask me questions, or start a conversation with me. It's WEIRD!

I have noticed it too. But, I do think I probably act a lot more confident and am more approachable. I think as we gain back our confidence then we just put a different vibe out there. I agree with sandworm that we probably all act a little differently now.

Interesting side question to this thread: Now that you're thinner, do YOU treat obese people differently? I try not to, but I find myself paying more attention to other thinner people, and kind of not paying atention to those who are obese. How embarrassing is THAT to realize? I'm forcing myself to try and not be "that guy." I never liked him.

Dave

It's amazing how different the treatment is.

I now hold doors open for myself where as I used to let the fat me just walk right into them face first.