People I have known...

[Carly]

... for more that 15 years are walking right past me. They say they didn't even know it was me till they heard my voice. One of my patients said (so this is questionable) "I almost can't tell you apart from the Olson twins." Have any of the JUDDD veterens experienced this or others who have lost a lot of weight? I guess it's good, but it seems so strange. I sometimes see the change and other times I don't or not that drastic that I'm unrecognisable to people who have known me my whole adult life basically.

[leonak]

Originally Posted by Carly

... for more that 15 years are walking right past me. They say they didn't even know it was me till they heard my voice. One of my patients said (so this is questionable) "I almost can't tell you apart from the Olson twins." Have any of the JUDDD veterens experienced this or others who have lost a lot of weight? I guess it's good, but it seems so strange. I sometimes see the change and other times I don't or not that drastic that I'm unrecognisable to people who have known me my whole adult life basically.

What a wonderful compliment!

[C'Marie]

Congrats! Isn't that kinda fun?!

In answer to your question, I run a tax office. I had a client of 10+ years (and a former next-door neighbor) not recognize me this last tax season. I was standing at the top of the stairs. When she came in, I hollered down, "I'm running a couple minutes late, I'll see you soon." She turned to my receptionist and said, in a low voice, "I thought I was seeing Marie today, who is that?" My receptionist laughed and said, "That is her. She's just lost a lot of weight." I have had that reaction alot since losing 100 pounds.

[Crazy PreK Teacher]

Originally Posted by Carly

... for more that 15 years are walking right past me. They say they didn't even know it was me till they heard my voice. One of my patients said (so this is questionable) "I almost can't tell you apart from the Olson twins." Have any of the JUDDD veterens experienced this or others who have lost a lot of weight? I guess it's good, but it seems so strange. I sometimes see the change and other times I don't or not that drastic that I'm unrecognisable to people who have known me my whole adult life basically.

Yesterday at Walmart...I ran into my youngest son's Pre-K teacher. I didn't recognize her b'cuz she had gained weight and let her hair go gray & long. She truly at first didn't know me...she was like...aren't you Sage's mom? Then I recognized her...lol. She wanted to know how I had done it...we talked a while.

And tonight at a b-day party for my son's friend...the mom was in disbelief...we text each other often...but we haven't seen each other in 3+ months.

[calichris]

Carly, your new avatar is super cute. It looks like you're in your early 20s!

[sunday]

I agree with Chris! You look so young Carly! I am a bit slow on the losses so most of the people that know me recognize me. However, my fam and close friends all know that I am leaner and love what JUDDD is doing!

[DesertGurl]

What an awesome feeling! Love the new avi, you are adorable!

I've had that happen once..years ago after losing about 80+ pounds..in Vegas, meeting my parents there and my dad literally walked right past me. When I called after him, he kepts turning and looking at me but kept walking the other way I could definitely handle that feeling again!

[Librarygirl]

I've had it happen more than once, but for the opposite reason, lol. People I grew up with or knew in my 20s and early 30s who hadn't seen me in years didn't recognize me at all because I had gotten so fat! That's a horrible feeling. My own cousin didn't know me at her father's funeral. It's got to be a great feeling to be unrecognizable for a GOOD reason!!

[gotsomeold]

Ya know, Carly...you do have those exotic eyes.

Glam Girl!!!!!

[Carly]

Oh, ladies, thanks, you always know how to help me see the bright side!

[tooraloora]

yupp, happened to me when I lost 90 lbs... I used to do assessments on kids, and they would need retested every 3 yrs or so... and when I would call ppl in for their appt., they would state that they had an appt. with My Name... lol.

I have also been growing my hair for 4 or so years... from a pixie cut to half way down my back, so that is another factor.

take it as a compliment!

(unlike when ppl used to think I was pregnant... when I wasn't

[GrannyPants]

Originally Posted by Librarygirl

I've had it happen more than once, but for the opposite reason, lol. People I grew up with or knew in my 20s and early 30s who hadn't seen me in years didn't recognize me at all because I had gotten so fat! That's a horrible feeling.

Boy... don't I know that horrible feeling... I even hide from people or don't say hello sometimes......

It's not because I am vane or anything like that. It's just that some people think that larger people are lazy and gluttonous (sp?)

Ok enough of crying in my milk...

-------------
Mere

[Carly]

Originally Posted by tooraloora

yupp, happened to me when I lost 90 lbs... I used to do assessments on kids, and they would need retested every 3 yrs or so... and when I would call ppl in for their appt., they would state that they had an appt. with My Name... lol.

I have also been growing my hair for 4 or so years... from a pixie cut to half way down my back, so that is another factor.

take it as a compliment!

(unlike when ppl used to think I was pregnant... when I wasn't

I've gotten that one, too.

[Librarygirl]

Originally Posted by GrannyPants

Boy... don't I know that horrible feeling... I even hide from people or don't say hello sometimes......

It's not because I am vane or anything like that. It's just that some people think that larger people are lazy and gluttonous (sp?)

Ok enough of crying in my milk...

-------------
Mere

It's a terrible feeling. I've had old friends finally recognize me sometimes and I can see in their faces that they are wondering, what the f--- happened?! LOL! I also don't speak or hide when I see people I haven't seen since I've gained all this weight...it's easier.

[theredhead]

What a neat thing to happen to you! It just shows how much progress you've made.

My DH had a really funny thing happen to him several years ago when he'd first lost his 100 pounds. We're professional musicians and used to run a country music show with guest singers every week. My DH was playing a gig with another band one night and a former guest on our show was making conversation with him, but he didn't realize she didn't know him until she asked whatever happened to David B? He said, you're talking to him!

[Kettleboy]

The thing I hear most is "are you ill?" which is I suppose is a backhanded compliment.

[Kissa]

Originally Posted by tooraloora

yupp, happened to me when I lost 90 lbs... I used to do assessments on kids, and they would need retested every 3 yrs or so... and when I would call ppl in for their appt., they would state that they had an appt. with My Name... lol.

I have also been growing my hair for 4 or so years... from a pixie cut to half way down my back, so that is another factor.

take it as a compliment!

(unlike when ppl used to think I was pregnant... when I wasn't

I have been missing you! Great to see you posting.

[Carly]

Originally Posted by Kettleboy

The thing I hear most is "are you ill?" which is I suppose is a backhanded compliment.

One of those people (a guy) later said, "Well, are you losing it on purpose?" I guess by that he was asking if I was sick or something

[Kettleboy]

Turning this around...

I saw a guy a few months ago, I hadnt seen him for about a year, he had lost at least 50 lbs, i said wow, what diet have you been on?, his reply was "Luekemia!" I wanted the ground to swallow me up. But he did laugh, and was by the stage i saw him llness free. so i'm always careful now.

[LoCarbGal]

I hate having to see people who haven't seen me since I gained the weight back (out of town family and friends mostly). But I'm loving seeing people who haven't seen me since almost 75 pounds ago, or at least for several months. It took quite awhile for people to be able to see it, but they definitely can now and I always get good comments. Still a long way to go, but I'm enjoying the positive comments all the way.

Carly, just wanted to mention I love the new avi, and I'm glad your smile is back! You look so young a cute. And petite and slender. WTG!

[vilanteira]

I've had it both ways as well. Awful times like when a seriously rude family member burst out with "wow, didn't recognize ya, you got big!" during one family reunion , and when an old friend walked right past me when we had met up for the first time in years and then had an awkward conversation about that when she realized it was me.

On the other end, after losing weight, I had people call me different names from the back because they thought I was someone else. People who hadn't seen me in a year or so from work had to be "re-introduced" to me. My uncle told me he didn't realize during a cousin's wedding that the woman sitting across from him at the table was me until I started talking with my parents. It was definitely weird and took some adjusting to, but in a good way.

[KeirasMom]

I've avoided a lot of people over the years, and haven't gone to my high-school reunions or parties for a very long time. I've seen only my closest friends and have even lost one very close friend who couldn't see past the weight I had gained. I've been very embarrassed by my weight. But, one good thing I've figured out is that those who stuck by me are my true friends. They love me no matter what size pants I'm wearing. I think if I saw anyone from my past, they would recognize me, but only because I'm closer to my "me" weight now. I think they wouldn't have recognized me at my heavier weight.

[Librarygirl]

It's sad, isn't it Dawn. I regret and cringe to say that I was prejudiced against fat people, and talked about people who gained lots of weight back when I was very slim. I guess all this weight I now have is karma!! I have learned lots of humility since then.

[Carly]

I worked late tonight so was still at my desk when the maintenance guy came by. He kinda ignored me, but I didn't care because I was seriously busy. About 20 minutes later he came up to me laughing and said "I kept saying, who is this 22 year old baby face they hired? Then I realized it was you."

22yrs! I thanked him and said I'll be 22 any day

[Carly]

Originally Posted by LoCarbGal

I hate having to see people who haven't seen me since I gained the weight back (out of town family and friends mostly). But I'm loving seeing people who haven't seen me since almost 75 pounds ago, or at least for several months. It took quite awhile for people to be able to see it, but they definitely can now and I always get good comments. Still a long way to go, but I'm enjoying the positive comments all the way.

Carly, just wanted to mention I love the new avi, and I'm glad your smile is back! You look so young a cute. And petite and slender. WTG!

Thank you- I think in some ways I feel younger- lighter for sure, but younger too!