Comments I have received since starting my journey of healthy living:
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By opposing counsel to a Judge, in Court, but thankfully, not on the record: "I realize my client failed that drug screen but I wonder if the prosecutor can even pass one. She has lost a lot of weight."
My shocked, unrefined response: "I will pee right in front of you!"
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By a male attorney, in Court, in front of a group of male attorneys: "Oh my God, (2MC)! You have lost a TON of weight! How much have you lost?"
My response: "One ton exactly. Two thousand pounds on the dot."
(Whatever happened to not asking a lady her age and weight?)
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By a defendant I prosecuted for meth several years ago who I ran into at the Courthouse: "Excuse me. Are you sick?
Me, with a confused look: Uhm...nope. Why?
Defendant: "Well, the last time I saw you, you were really, really big. I thought you may have cancer."
(I couldn't even come up with a response to that one...Eh, at least she didn't ask if I knew her dealer)
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Court administrator: "Wow, you've lost a lot of weight. You're ALMOST hot."
Me: "Thanks. It has been a long road to hotness, but I feel so much better knowing that I am ALMOST there."
(She apologized profusely. I couldn't quite stop giggling.)
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Friend: "What have you been doing to lose so much weight?"
Me: "Mostly running. I registered to run a marathon in May so that requires a lot of long miles for training."
Friend: "A marathon! Do you know how far that is?"
Me: "Over there and back?"
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Another friend: "I saw your husband the other day. He has really lost a lot of weight."
My response: "Yep. We have both been working out and eating better to lose weight together."
Friend's response: "But you can really tell it on him!"
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I'm not complaining. I wouldn't trade those comments to be back at 250. I posted these comments because I find them humorous. It is amusing to me how awkward people can be when trying to render a compliment. They're definitely so much better than comments like "When are you due?" when you're not pregnant or "Damn, Girl! You done got thick! (Side note: I graduated from an inner city high school.) I will admit that I sort of cringe every time someone asks how much weight I've lost. I know it is my own hang up of having to verbalize just how big I was with a combination of acknowledgement as to just how much farther I have to go. I should probably proudly respond "70 pounds"! But usually I sheepishly respond something more akin to "I have quite a ways to go yet" or on other days when I'm more snark "A toddler. Maybe even a pre-schooler." I dance around answering the question of how much I've lost as if I would have that number blazed across my chest in scarlet letters. I am proud of the effort I have put forth thus far. But, I'm not proud that I had to start the journey because I had fallen into a routine of complacency and sedentary living.
I wonder how I will look when I reach my goal weight. I know the comments and queries won't be any less brash then. I've already braced myself for those who want to tell me "Now you've lost enough." I'm already hearing that, mostly from family, even though I am clearly still obese. I think it is their form of compliment. In the last few weeks I've thought some about my initial reaction to the Biggest Loser Season 15 Winner. I don't even watch the show. I just read the articles and many blogs about how unhealthy she was for losing a lot of weight quickly. But, I find myself now thinking...she looks like a long-distance runner. She looks like all of the other Hollywood actresses we see plastered on magazines. If I hadn't have seen her photo at 260 pounds, I would have never questioned whether she lost weight in a healthy manner or whether she is too thin. I'm sure many of the comments I receive are similar, though admittedly not as demeaning as those I've read about her.
In any event, I am going to leave you all with this:
Have a great day, FS world!
2MC
