I’m 106 pounds down; a mere 6 pounds to my next goal.

It’s finally happened. It seems I went straight from a couple people close to me, keeping up with my weight loss, to crossing that invisible line where I’ve changed to a point that people don’t recognize me immediately if they haven’t seen me in several months. It’s happened three times in the last couple of weeks — a little difficult to ignore when it happens multiple times!

106 Pounds of Great Pyrenees

I admit; it’s kind of cool, in a way. It’s nice to get a little attention and recognition for hard work put in.

I know it’s awkward for some folks; they may not be able to put their finger on what’s changed, or may feel it’s inappropriate to say anything about weight loss. To be clear, I do not expect *any* recognition at all for weight loss. While I’m transparent here about my efforts, that doesn’t mean that I am with everyone, and not all reasons for weight loss are good ones. Some approach me somewhat cautiously about it; this happened just last night.

Inevitably, people say “I bet you feel better!” Well, absolutely! I’ve lost 106 pounds. I’m no longer carrying Miley Cyrus around on my hips. 😉 My chronic pain level has gone done immeasurably. While I still can’t walk long distances, my endurance is much higher, these days. By necessity, I stand, carry, sit, and walk differently than I did, before. These are all big changes; they may be as much a factor as a change in physical size to those who haven’t seen me in a while.

It’s nice, for now, and I’m enjoying it while it lasts, although I know there’s necessary head work ahead. My weight loss is slowing somewhat; I may need to shift gears, soon, and adapt in order to keep losing. At this point, though, I feel strong and optimistic. I’m confident that I’ll keep losing, that I’ll meet my upcoming weight loss goal in a month or so.

It’s also a point of no return; even if people aren’t saying anything to me, they’re noticing. They have the expectation that I’ll keep going. It’s peer pressure, in a way; it’s a whole new level of transparency when people you only know as acquaintances are suddenly interested in your personal story. Things have shifted; I’ve been on my feet, but now others expect me to get on my feet and take action.

I’ve said this many times before: my weight loss is, first and foremost, for me. It has to remain that way. But I admit that the extra layer of attention is both a level of support and yet another method that keeps me honest. For instance, if I have a meal in public, I suddenly feel as if people are watching what I eat. Would they care what anyone else had for dinner? Probably not — but people become oddly fascinated when they know you’ve lost a lot of weight. It’s simply something extra I have to deal with that others don’t.

There is a downside that I know to expect over the months to come. There’s a loss of privacy, in a way, when people suddenly take an interest and want you to tell them what’s been working. I don’t necessarily mind those sorts of inquiries, but realistically, I’m only an expert in what works for me personally, so answering questions about diet can become somewhat tedious. Everyone has to find their own path; that’s one of the reasons why those of you who read this blog don’t see a lot of references to my methods, only the mental effects.

I know, though, the lay of the land. That’s an advantage as I move forward. Exciting times are ahead!