When Your FAMILY Doesn’t Recognize Your FACE

You know you’ve lost a lot of weight when your mother doesn’t recognize your pictures.

I sent pictures of the kids at Christmas to my sister-in-law to share with the western branch of the family. She commented on how much weight Eric has lost since she saw him last. He looks great. I mentioned that I’d lost 80 pounds and sent a picture. Mom didn’t know who it was.

I’ve told Mom several times that I was losing weight. I’ve always suspected that she didn’t listen, so this proves it.

It’s happened off and on for the past 2 years. People don’t recognize me till I speak. The voice is a give-away.

My Changing FACE

BEFORE (January 2008)

I really don’t think I look that different. Sure, there’s less of me … and there'd better be. But clients keep telling me that they didn’t recognize me.

The people I work with went through this a year ago. They’d see me crossing the street or out of the corner of their eye and pause before they realized who it was.

We’ve been distributing Christmas gifts this week and I’m just dropping in without an appointment. Maybe it's because people aren’t expecting me. Often the source of the comment is a spouse or supervisor —not the individual who works directly with the advertising. Still, it’s been 3 I-didn’t-recognize-you’s this week, so there must be something to it. One specifically commented that my face had changed the most.

Now ( November 2009)

FAT Changes

I got my passport today. The new passport picture was on the post office counter next to my 2006 driver’s license. It looked like 2 different people. The license says 175 pounds, but I was closer to 250. My goal is not to be a liar anymore and tell the truth on my driver’s license.


My face isn’t the only thing that’s changed. I put on my size 22 jeans last week. I could get both legs in one side. I just couldn’t get the feet out the bottom, because they are tapered. I carry most of the remaining excess in my waist, so this picture isn’t as dramatic as I’d like.  Beth told me the baggy T-shirt didn't help.  I'm used to baggy clothes and uncomfortable with something that fits ... but I'm working on that.

There was a fire last week. The gal who lost her home, wears one of the sizes I used to. Anything that wasn’t already at Goodwill is going to her.