do you FEEL better?
are you HEALTHIER?
most likely yes to both...
so yes again,
DEFINITELY worth it!
let them, stare, flirt, sneer, be jealous, whatever, that is their individual issue, not yours!
enjoy how you feel & each precious day that you will now live a longer & healthier life!
have a great ns day :)

Ignore the men - YOU haven't changed ... besides they're easy to ignore anyway - for the most part. Ignore the women...if they're jealous of you being healthier then they aren't friends anyway and are also easily ignored. Surround yourself with upbeat, positive people who like you for YOU. The rest of 'em don't matter! Good luck....dj

Everyone will get used to your new look, and hopefully you will get used to appreciative looks.

I can't figure out the women who DON'T want us to look good! That is so silly...but I try to just avoid negative nellies and not engage them too much.

Men are not sinister simply because they appreciate us looking good. If they are not acting in a CREEPY yucky way (do you get intuition about this kind of thing? I realized more recently in life that I do, and I can TRUST it), it is perfectly OK to just accept the complimentary looks!!!

OF COURSE you are going to still like the people who like you for YOU. Just like ALWAYS. But the healthier overall you is going to attract more attention and more people to you overall! Enjoy if you can. If you continue to truly feel uncomfortable with male attention (as I used to when younger, so I can relate) it may be time to get counseling to really figure out why and how to deal...

Thanks for your comment on my post, Dottie May. I really appreciate it.

All of the above. Most = do you feel better physically? Does a flight of stairs make you despair? I bet not! Bring your inner self up to a higher plane, rise above the naysayers and the flirts, live for yourself. Think of it this way - you get to find out who truly is worth knowing & who is just an acquaintance.

Keep up the good work!!!!

They are jealous! They are jealous because because you have taken care of yourself and you look and feel good. That is exciting! They are living the same old boring life and are wishing they could have the courage to change something in their own life BUT they can't!!! You have made the change. Be proud - don't let their stares and glares make you feel bad about all you have accomplished! You deserve this and so what if you are a little bit SEXY!!! SEXY is healthy!!! Enjoy every piece of you that you are. Norma

Be proud of yourself and what you have accomplished. You have accomplished alot and the men are just letting you know how much they appreciate you taking care of yourself and well womem will be women when one of us accompllishes something we haven't done. Keep you head held high and enjoy your new self and don't let anyone bring you down.

I'm getting it too DottieMay. Some of it's good, some of it sucks. My own family keeps staring at me like they've never seen me before. I don't like that. People actually stop and hold doors open for me. I like that. People listen to me when I talk. Likey. People at the grocery are doing double takes like "who is that?" I can see the reconition flash across their faces at that ahah! moment. Like. I don't flirt at all so if they try I just ignore them. Really though people listen to me more. It's like hiking a whole different path. It feels a bit awekward trying to negotiate the new social order of me. But, I'll grow with it. You too!! :}

It is totallllllyyyyyy worth it! But I do agree with you, people are so funny (or screwy). Do you think when you were overweight, they would have said to you.."Oh dear, you really should do something about that round tummy of yours!". Of course not! But sure enough, try to do something good for YOU and everyone's a critic. This is no lie....a NURSE said to me today..."Are you OK, you look so thin? Are you trying to lose weight or is it coming off for no reason?"(music to my ears!) Well let me tell you honey, if it was falling off for no reason, I sure as shootin' wouldn't say a word to anyone! I just smiled, squared my shoulders a little straighter and STRUTTED out that door. Stick with it,,,you are worth it.

Hi Dottie...
I'm almost at goal and the only attention I love is the attn I get from my hubby and my neighbors....I notice that I carry myself differently but not for attention reasons...You're a wonderful person and must feel so healthy and happy in your new body....enjoy it girl, you worked hard for it, life it too short, revel in what you've accomplished and smile....... : )
Angie

yes totally worth it!!!! Maryann

Oh I hadda laugh, I blogged about this very thing not long ago....not only the fellas I see in person but some of the fellas in NS-Land get weird, too.

My reaction?....EWW EWW EWW!!!! Git AWAY!!!

I was bootiful before I lost weight. Didn't notice me then? Well don't notice me now, either, 'kay?

It's worth it!!! 4 sure!!!!

Jealousy and envy are killers -- but remember you did not do this for them, you did this for you!!

When we change it threatens others and they have to take a look at themselves -- let them and you focus on you -- the wonderful, marvelous woman you have always been and continue to be her!!!

Hugs.

Just like other people will get used to your new look, you will also get used to the new reactions. Don't worry about what other people think! Just keep doing what you're doing because it's good for your health and your well-being.

You should have stayed fat?! Are you kidding me? Why should you suffer and be unhealthy and miserable because all those other people have problems?!! Trust me, THEY HAVE ISSUES!!

Enjoy the new you and throw the trouble makers out of your life! This is you, if someone doesn't like pi$$ on them!

Dottie May, I don't know what i can add, but just be happy with what you've done for YOURSELF, not the attentions and attitudes of others. You probably exude self confidence and power you never did before and people will react to that.

You can be so proud of yourself. I can understand the man thing because many men in our society are very appearance oriented, but can't quite get the sisterhood reaction--why don't they rejoice for you? Go figure (and yours is such a nice one now! lol).

Hang in there--you are awesome.

Not only are the women envious they're insecure in who they are. Like one previous respondant said, you are still who you are and the outside packaging doesn't change who you are. There are adjustments you'll make just fine, but "Ditto" with those who've already said to ignore those who are insecure and immature and ignore the folks who look unless they make you feel better.