Things no one tells you about extreme weight loss:

I can hide when I want. It’s true! We were at a large event several weeks back, and I saw someone I recognized sitting a few rows in front of me. I didn’t really want to see this person. The last time I saw him, I weighed at least a hundred pounds more than I do, now; I’ve reached that point where people don’t recognize me unless I say something. And you know what? It worked like a charm! So if you want to escape notice, lose a third of your body weight. Simple, right?

Every single part of your body changes. Yes, every single part. After a loss of 129 pounds, I wear a different shoe size, and my two-year-old glass frames are too wide for my face. I’ve had to move my car seat forward, and thanks to my butt not being as big, I sit shorter in the driver’s seat.

Skin, skin, skin! All those diet gurus want you to see the success stories that have been craftily photographed and dressed to best appeal. Ever notice how many men and women, when they’ve lost a lot of weight and are posing for their after shot, have on clothing that’s not in the least bit revealing? There’s a reason for that — and that reason is skin.

Worn out, stretched skin that looks like a deflated balloon. No, it’s not pretty at all, and for some, it gets in the way so much (or causes health problems) that they have it surgically removed, which is expensive and not exactly a walk in the park.

So here’s the truth: if you have great amounts of weight to lose, loose skin is a part of it. There’s virtually no way around it. I’ve even heard people say that they almost wish they hadn’t lost the weight because taut skin is more attractive.

I won’t argue with that. Unstretched skin is lovely. But it’s not weight loss that causes stretched out excess skin; it’s weight gain. The truth of it is that if someone had warned me when I was 21, and starting to put on weight, that my skin would look like a battle ground if I ever took the weight off, it wouldn’t have stopped me from gaining. After all, I didn’t intend to gain the weight, and I certainly knew that gaining weight would have detrimental effects on my body — and I gained it, anyway. I know I’m not the only one.

So, with still more weight to lose, I’ve started to accept that excess skin is a reminder of what I’ve been through, and there is no magic wand that will make my long history of obesity disappear. Nor should I want that; like it or not, it’s who I have been for decades, and part of what makes me who I am. Removing the skin doesn’t remove the battles or the scars. What I’ve accomplished isn’t something I should want to hide, despite what society may say.

Shapewear is your friend — and your enemy. Ha! That’s no different for any woman who wants to smooth out the lumps, regardless of weight! Although I will say that loose skin and shapewear creates an entertaining game of stuff-the-sausage-casing.

Winter is colder. Fat insulates. Who knew?! It’s December. Sweaters are now my constant companion. And a heated mattress pad? Heaven!

Restaurant booths are bigger. Which is kind of cool. The table isn’t a boob shelf anymore.

I could go on — I might in a future blog entry, but I’ll leave you with this thought: whether you see these things as bad or good, they are all changes, and all worth the discipline and work.