Me - June 2006. Two years pre-band.
Did any of you avoid people you hadn't seen for a while after you got really heavy? I know that I sure did. One of the main people I avoided is one of my aunts. This aunt (let's call her "Aunt X") can be quite a lot of fun to be around, but she has always been quick to make comments about my weight. Usually those comments were directed to my mother, who would then repeat them to me, not realizing how incredibly hurtful it was to me to hear them.
With my mother in Positano, Italy in June 2006. I was on Weight Watchers at the time, and fast approaching my heaviest weight.
For perspective, let me give you the background that Aunt X ranged from somewhere between 200 to well over 300 pounds during the years when these comments were made, and I was only about 20-30 pounds overweight at my absolute heaviest during that time. Cut to sometime around 2000, when Aunt X had gastric bypass surgery. She wound up being around a size 2 and had a full body lift, in addition to other surgery -- and she looks absolutely fantastic. I had no idea that she was so pretty before then, though she always carried herself well and dressed nicely.At the Sirenuse Hotel in Positano, Italy - June 2006
Being heavy gave rise to my superpower photo cropping skills....
Anyway, I have completely avoided seeing her for the last 7 or 8 years because I didn't want her to see me so heavy, and I didn't want to hear anything she had to say about my weight. So, now that I'm where I want to be, weight-wise, I kind of want to see her. I'm willing to accept that this may be a bit disfunctional on my part, but I kind of want to just show up all thin and be like ... Hi! (What? I've looked like this every day since you saw me last!)As it turns out, Aunt X is going to be in Florida when I'm there next month. And if truth be told, it's not completely a coincidence that I planned my trip to overlap with her stay. I guess I'm ready to show myself finally.
In Napa Valley with Steve - May 2011
26 comments:
Aunt X will think you look amazing--as we all do!!!!
She will be blown away by you! You look fantastic, happy, vibrant & full of life. :)
Not like you need any validation, but the look on her face when she first sees you will be priceless!
Aunt X will think your mother has been hiding your twin sister all these years! Every time I see your 'before' pictures, I cannot believe it is you!
Also, I know you are 8 years younger than me Catherine but you have no idea how lucky you are that your skin 'shrunk' as your body did. My thighs will be my cross to bare unless I do something surgically. You have lost at least 30 lbs more than me so far and your bikini pics look like you've been wearing them for your whole life!
Enjoy your visit in FL with your mom and your aunt! She will be so happy for you I am sure.
What a transformation! You look beautiful!
I laughed so hard when I read this:
"At the Sirenuse Hotel in Positano, Italy - June 2006
Being heavy gave rise to my superpower photo cropping skills...."
HA HA HA HA! How true is that? Me too. I'm a photoshop cropping expert. I'm also expert at thinning out my arms, erasing stretch marks, etc. Pretty funny stuff. Congrats, and you Aunt is going to think you are beautiful.
Christine
www.phoenixrevolution.net
Oh yes, I'm a MASTER of camera angles and cropping! I mean, I can make myself look 20-30 lbs less than I really am. Without being suffocated by Spanx.
You look terrific, and I agree with Jacquie, your skin looks great, to look at you now, I would never think you were ever overweight!
Regardless to your weight then and now you still have that gorgeous face!! Aunt X will be surprised, but because I have aunts like that, I wonder will she still have a snide remark to make. Anyway enjoy the visit and take any negative comment with a grain of salt and any positive one and soar to the stars.
You look awesome!!
Oh, you can count on the snide remark.. I'm pretty sure there will be one. But, now my mom knows that I absolutely do not want her to repeat things like that to me, so I should at least be spared from having to hear it.
First of all, you truly are beautiful at every weight. It's just that now you're beautiful and SMOKIN HOT.
Have fun seeing your aunt. I can't wait to hear all about it.
(I'm going to Positano in October! So looking forward to it.)
I have very purposely allowed some people I don't love to facebook friend me so they can see me looking better than I did for the past few years. If this is us being petty, there are worse things!
Your honesty is so refreshing. That's why i love reading these blogs. There's no BS! I can't wait to be down where you are! 20 more pounds to go!
I hear you on the hiding- and I don't blame you for wanting to show off...
She's going to be blown away... You look amazing and so friggin' happy! I am blown away myself.
No more hiding that beautiful face and body...strut your stuff mama.
wear the string bikini!
I look at you and I swear I'd never know you were once overweight. You look like a model in my eyes and you radiate beauty no matter what your weight. I hope your aunt sees the eauty in you that we all have seen on the inside and out!!!
Man I wanna be a fly on the wall when she sees you or actually I kind of want to be a cheerleader in the back of the room yelling "Take that Aunt X"...is that wrong? You go girl. Vindication is yours and there's nothing wrong with that.....xoxo
Where in Florida will you be? Any chance I'll get to see you? It's so funny that you say this now, because I am seeing an old friend from high school tomorrow night who I haven't seen in many years...and many pounds. I'm not dreading it and am excited for her to see how I look now.
I am the queen of photo cropping and arm placement...the queen! what a transformation you have had but have to say you looked great before too!! and, didn't get a chance to comment on your bikini photo..AMAZING..you look soo fantastic and am so happy for you! so glad life is treating you so well!
I think you were beautiful before but you look amazing now. Hopefully Aunt X will have something nice to say
I have done that same thing, except its me trying to stay away from almost anyone I haven't seen in a while! As I'm sure you know, being at your heaviest is mortifying and I just didn't want anyone to see me at all! I just got banded a month ago and I have lost 16 pounds so far and just got my first fill yesterday! I also got released to start working out! (Thankfully, because walking is SO BORING to me). Anyway. Just wanted to say hello, I agree, and I love reading your blog :)
YOU GO GIRL!!!! LOVE IT!
Yeah, I know it's all about the health thing and living longer and feeling better about ourselves and all that jazz. But, come on....what good is it if we can't flaunt ourselves a bit---especially under the circumstances you are discussing. I think this calls for a meet up in a string bikini. "Hey Aunt X, let's meet on the beach..."
Please please keep us posted! I just love hearing these little redemption stories...
Onward!
Judi
Nothing wrong with showing off! You look fantastic and should let everyone know it! I certainly know about avoiding people...I didn't go to my 10 year high school reunion because I didn't want people to see how much weight I had gained. I'll definitely be at my 20!
Catherine, No matter what size you wear you are still a beautiful person. Unfortunately, AuntX will never be! You should just visit her and I'll take a photo of her with her jaw dropped to the floor! I've said it before and I 'll stand by it...You are a beautiful loving, caring, and giving person...and that is why you will always be beautiful...I do LOVE your fantastic figure. You exercised for it and deserve it...Go with a big smile!..You rule~ Love mom
Catherine, I saw your comment but don't have your email address with me. I work in Boca Raton! Like seriously IN Boca. That's where I am right now! If there is any chance that we can meet up for coffee or a workout or something let me know. Email is bandlady (at) stealyourface (dot) com. I would love to see you!!!
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