Weigh In # 61

A friend recently posted something on Facebook about giving smiles and compliments and how we never know how greatly appreciated they can be by the recipient. I know that this is true, but it really hit home this morning when I was surprised to be the recipient. Many of the people at WW say positive, flattering things to me and others and this is always appreciated but doesn't catch me by surprise. We're like family at this point. A nice word is always welcome but it isn't truly surprising from some because they are so supportive.

There is a woman who joined our meeting recently. I don't think I've had any recognition (awards) since she has been coming so I wouldn't assume she knows how much I've lost or what I looked like in the beginning. She said something today that ended with "as thin as Charlene". Our meeting leader caught the look on my face and asked me how that made me feel. I made a fanning my face motion with my hands and smiled because I didn't know what to say. The meeting ended a few minutes later. I got into my car and burst into tears.

I was a fat kid. Other kids were often cruel. Most of my adult life I've been overweight and some adults are as cruel as kids had been. I think I've accepted and liked myself most of my life, but to say the verbal arrows didn't hurt when they hit would be a lie.  My husband, sons, daughter-in-law and other close friends have said great things to me. Hearing "thin" in the same sentence as my name coming from someone whose first name I just learned last week got to me.

My new total loss is 75.2 pounds. Maybe some of what I lost was a defensive shield.

Onward and downward with a big smile on my face!