You know you've lost weight when...

[sallyseachange]

...you even drop a shoe size!

Aside from the scales or the tape measure, who's had an "oh wow... how cool!" moment... when the fact that the pounds have really fallen away, suddenly hit you? The lower shoe size was what suddenly made it real for me.

Anyone else? Do tell!

[Alexa]

For me recently it was meeting some new work colleagues and having to explain to one of them 'I used to be a bit more overweight' when I was telling a story - she'd never seen me large, but just average sized!

That was good. Also whenever I go shopping and smaller sizes actually fit - I never quite believe it! I don't think I'll ever get tired of randomly trying on smaller sizes just to check I'm not crazy

[sallyseachange]

I know what you mean about "not quite believing" that the smaller sizes fit! Awesome that they do!!!

[julirama723]

I had a lady at work compliment me on how healthy and fit I look just the other day. I was explaining about how much more I had to lose (about 25 pounds) and she said "you can't have that much more to lose! You're my size and I weigh 140." And it's indeed true, I am her "size" clothing wise! I just happen to weigh a BIT more (ok, a LOT more) than 140...

...but until that moment, I hadn't really realized that I look healthy and not fat to other people!

[Maerow]

When my rings started falling off. I have to get my engagement ring sized...down.

[sallyseachange]

That's truly awesome Juli! Just goes to show how much difference there can be between scale weight and measurements, when comparing with that lady!

Maerow... rings falling off is really something! So now I know why everyone says Atkins is expensive! They keep losing rings!

[dreamof145]

Great post! I love reading everyone's accomplishments and how it changes our attitudes and our lives.

I always get people telling me that "I can't possibly have more weight to lose." I'm still overweight according to the charts and 170 (altho is a lot better than the 285 I started at) is still too much weight to carry on my frame. The one thing that really amazes me is that my 11 year old grandson and I are always getting our jeans mixed up in the wash when he comes to visit. Several times my daughter or husband will fold the clothes and put them in the wrong piles. He's always going home with a pair of my jeans or vise versa. This thrills me to no end.

[not2late]

I love Elizellen's story where a customer came into her shop and asked her what happened to the people who used to run it a year or so ago.

[dreamof145]

Yes, I really enjoyed Elizellen's story!!

[sallyseachange]

Yes... Elizellen's story was soooo inspiring! Also love your "jeans swap" tale Becky!

It's situations like these that just make me warm with pleasure. It really shows how far we've come and how far those starting out can come too, realistically and without the awful hunger of many other diets.