Why does it matter?
Dec 12th, 2005 by Accidental Thinker
On Saturday, I attended a Christmas tea. Since it was mid-afternoon and I had already eaten lunch, I limited my intake of the traditional tea goodies. This, of course, did not go unnoticed by the other women at my table, most of whom I had not previously met. We women are such a catty bunch. When I explained, to ward off their attempts at pushing more food on me, that I had recently lost quite a bit of weight and was working to keep it off, they dismissively wanted to know what I meant by “quite a bit,” obviously expecting some ridiculously vain low number. Apparently, 50 pounds worked for them. Because suddenly, instead of being an object of ridicule for my light appetite, I became an object of admiration for my restraint. I understand the shift in attitude because I’m proud of me for my accomplishment, too. It still shocks me when I say that number out loud (FIFTY pounds? ME?).
Yet I couldn’t help wondering. Why in the world did it matter in the first place if I was newly slim or naturally so? Either way, trying to maintain a healthy physique is a good thing, right? And why is losing weight any more praiseworthy than never having gained it to begin with?
Congrats on the weight loss. The Missus is up to 40 pounds, and she’s worked really hard at it. It’s going to be tough during the holidays, but she’s one determined lady.
You hit on a peeve of mine. At one time, I was well over 300 lbs and lost half of it. The difference in how I was treated before and after was astounding.
It shouldn’t matter what a person weighs, but how they act and connect with others. Congrats on your loss, it’s fabulous. I don’t understand why women have to be catty.
Why is it more praiseworthy? Because you recognized a…uh, flaw and did something about it.
(For the record, this week begins my 53rd week without smoking anything. So I think the two of us have something praiseworthy to mention.)
Anyway, congratulations for dropping those pounds.
Did you mention that it was to get back in shape for mud wrestling? Geez -a -lou, people can be nosey. 😉
You just begin to touch on a peeve of mine weight. I have had a battle most of my life with it but what has always amazed me is how people fail to understand I am the same person no matter my size. Congratulations on your weight loss it is difficult and you fought a battle and won.
Women need to stick together – not fight each other.
Hmm..I try to avoid those kinds of gatherings.
You did good to avoid the extra calories. I’m doing the same and plan to splurge on Christmas Eve and Day.
I think some people feel guilty when they are eating whatever they want and someone else decides to avoid the fattening stuff.
After all of your hard work, (that you are so justifiably PROUD of), it is know wonder that you didn’t cheat. The only thing I wonder about, is why your lady friends would actually try and push you into some food items, that you obviously did not want to eat? I would almost think they were ENABLERS. GLAD you over came the peer pressure and stayed on track! ~ jb///
Those are good questions! Seriously, why does it seem to be more commendable to have gained and lost weight than to have just kept it off? I think a little might have to do with the fact that the former is usually harder to do than the latter, but not always. The older I get the more I realize this fact.
Wow. Fifty pounds? That’s impressive. Good going! 🙂