I don’t think I ever realized how much being obese affects EVERYTHING. Two little semiSPUNKS I got yesterday made me realize how my weight literally affected me from head to toe.
First of all, I got a badly needed haircut. My hairdresser Michell is a genius. She is, scissors down, the best I have ever had. I don’t tell her what to do. I just sit down and say “What are you doing today?” because I know that it will be great. And it always is. Right now she’s up to something I don’t completely understand… growing out parts, blending in others, tapering something… Whatever! She knows what she’s doing. Michell has been doing my hair since I moved here. So she met me when I was a rather big girl. 
(she is ridiculously tiny, and very young, but we love her anyway) Yesterday she was gushing over how much I’ve changed, and how surprised she is… But the SPUNK I liked the best was when she was finishing up my style and she said with a satisfied air, “You can wear ANY hairstyle now.” I think she’s savoring the possibilities. 
But it made me ponder how having a face made round by all the weight really impacted what hairstyles I could “get away with”. It’s cool not having to worry about that. Because as I always say, Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman’s Haircut.
The next little SPUNK was at the shoe store. I had a Clark’s gift certificate burning a hole in my wallet, and a deep-seated need for a good pair of walking sandals. The salesman at the store has dealt with me before. And I mean, dealt with me. The other times I’ve come in, I had to try on just about everything in the store to find something that would work. My feet were so fat, you see. They were actually tall through the toes with all that puffiness. So most of the really cute shoes were not for me. Sigh. But now - I can wear them ALL! Woo Hoo! (and uh-oh) He didn’t say anything at first… but we (me, him, and my friend) were joking around about how much trouble I was… and we were noticing that I have apparently dropped a shoe size (!) and he said, “Well, have you lost a lot of weight?” And I said, “Oh COME ON! Sixty five pounds!” And he grinned. He told my friend, “Oh yeah. When she first came in…her feet were so swollen. It was painful.” At which point I’m thinking, alright now buddy…a simple “you look great” would be fine.
Head to toe. Inside and Out. This journey changes everything.
My 38″ waist jeans are, literally, feeling looser every day. They’re almost too big; I almost need a downgrade. I haven’t worn 36″ jeans in ten years.
This is so cool.
Comment by Bird — March 24, 2007 @ 9:53 am
YAY!! T’is cool. I am WAY happy for you Dude!
Comment by blestwithsons — March 24, 2007 @ 9:54 am
Time for some GoodWill hunting in the jeans rack, I’d say. You don’t want to buy brand new - cause you’ll be down another size before you know it. But I’m a staunch advocate for not wearing loose clothes. 1. You look better in good-fitting clothes - which leads to SPUNKS- which reinforce your commitment! 2. Baggy clothes make you feel like you can eat some more….This is BAD!
Comment by blestwithsons — March 24, 2007 @ 9:55 am
I probably already have some old 36s I can dig up. The Sam’s jeans are only $12, though. We’ll see. It’s a good problem to have.
Comment by Bird — March 24, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Weigh to go Bird! And Blest, you are so right about changing from head to toe! How cool!!
Comment by Bethany — March 24, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
I have been following along with this weight loss blog since the beginning. (Blest and I went to the same church in NC). I am working on a healthier lifestyle as well so this is a great motivational tool! But……..Blest
I cut your hair in NC and didn’t have free creative range….You were growing out…It’s only fair that if we are stationed together again that I get a chance to prove my genius as well! 
Really though..you look wonderful. You are an inspiration both spiritually and physically.. Thanks for this blog.. I’m quiet, but around.. You are all doing GREAT.. Maybe I will do as well!!
Comment by Christy — March 25, 2007 @ 5:54 am
Christy!!! Hey girl!!! Now that is absolutely true - you did not have free range. I was growing it out - and I had a fat face!! And absolutely, when next we are stationed together, you will be the lord of my locks!
Comment by blestwithsons — March 25, 2007 @ 6:15 am
Way to go, Blest! It is cool for me to feel my clothes fitting looser too
Comment by Brandi — March 25, 2007 @ 9:59 am