July 16, 2007 at 9:39 am
I woke up this morning to find pictures of the bridal shower and bachelorette party I attended last month in my inbox. Check it out:
Oh yeah, did I mention my brother is marrying Aja from the 80′s band Jem and the Holograms? (She’s the one with blue hair.) She got the old band together and we had a fun night on the town. We invited Jerica too, but she didn’t show up for some reason. Before you ask, no, they’re not playing at the reception. It would be rather silly for the bride to be playing at her own wedding, wouldn’t it? And don’t worry, security will be very tight. We don’t want The Misfits crashing the party! Oh that Pizazz, what misdemeanors and felonies will she commit next?
When I looked at this photo I noticed three things:
1) Being the only person without animated hair really makes me stick out.
2) I am rather tall, aren’t I? I’m even taller than Kimber’s blown-out hair. Maybe that’s why people are surprised to find out I weigh 180. A shorter girl of my proportions would most likely weigh less.
3) If you were to ask someone to guess which girl in this photo used to weigh 372 pounds, they would only have a 1 in 5 chance of getting it right. I totally blend. I am not significantly fatter or thinner than any other person in this photo. We all look rockin’! The only giveaway might be the bit of extra skin under my chin. You can’t really see it in this smaller photo, but in the original large photo you can see it if you look for it.
Typically, I would not be excited to be considered normal. Normal is overrated in my opinion. Be unique. Embrace your inner freak. However, when weight is concerned, I have to admit I like being normal or average or “not afraid the seatbelt won’t buckle in my future sister-in-law’s sister’s car.” I was not tempted to stand behind someone else to hide my body like I used to when I was fat. I also no longer fear looking at photos from events I have attended. Actually, there is a lot less fear in general now. Here’s to a life with less fear!
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42 Comments
bazu • July 16, 2007 at 9:51 am
Jem! Oh, that brings flashbacks…
You look great in that picture. I know what you mean about blending in… actually, your hair looks better than all of theirs!
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JEM • July 16, 2007 at 10:01 am
This is very funny to me…especially with my name and all! I didn’t know I was there! :-)
It makes me so happy to hear there is less fear…I am still living in the fear and its not pretty. Fear that I won’t fit, fear of nothing to wear, fear of judgement, fear of photos, fear of airplane seat belts, fear of health problems…fear fear fear.
Congrats on breaking free!
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Lynn • July 16, 2007 at 10:10 am
You look great, totally “normal” :)
I have been reading your blog for awhile now, read through the archives and I can’t even begin to describe how inspiring/amazing/wonderful etc. that your entries have been. I have been struggling with my weight for years and you’ve given my such hope because you’re shown us that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Plus it’s nice to see someone else around my age (25 this year) going through the journey.
There is no doubt in my mind that you’ll reach your goal, I can’t wait to see the pics and hear how you celebrated!!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, humor and positive attitude.
- Lynn
PS. Do you know if your book will be available in Canada?
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Country Chicken • July 16, 2007 at 10:24 am
You look like you weigh 140 pounds! You’re tall and slender, and if you ever got a total makeover, I bet you could give a supermodel a run for her money.
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kelly • July 16, 2007 at 10:25 am
i loved jem! remember how her earrings used to light up?
we are the misfits, our musics better! haha :) great post, brought back memories!!!
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Debbi • July 16, 2007 at 10:54 am
I think what strikes me most from this post is that you’re not afraid to look at photos. I hope I get there someday. Soon.
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Rah • July 16, 2007 at 11:08 am
First, you look mah-vah-lus, dahling. Second: I’ve been reading your early posts for inspiration, and am impressed with how your “mission statement” (why I want to lose weight, goals, strategies) has continued to anchor you throughout your journey, even to the recent why-I-still-want-to-reach-goal posting. You are just amazing, and even though I don’t know you, I am so proud of you!!! You remain an inspiration for those of us who aren’t as close as you are yet. Thank you.
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Charity • July 16, 2007 at 11:13 am
Wow, you look fantastic, and totally just like one of the girls! But with more 3-D features. Congrats on “passing.” ;)
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Heather • July 16, 2007 at 11:18 am
You look SO good! Wow!
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melsky • July 16, 2007 at 11:21 am
You’re right, I would never be able to pick you out as the one who lost all the weight.
I like being weird, but in a good way, like “Hey, she has a quirky sense of fashion” not “Hey, she’s got four chins and can’t make it up the stairs”
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Kalyn • July 16, 2007 at 11:58 am
Oh dear. Apparently I was already quite old in the eighties because I don’t remember this band at all.
You look fabulous, and I do not see a bit of extra skin under your chin at all! So just let go of that one completely!
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Kimberly • July 16, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Wow – what a flashback! And hopefully a flash-forward as well, to a time when I’ll be the one in the picture, fitting in with everyone else. =)
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dg • July 16, 2007 at 12:32 pm
that Gem is outrageous. truly, truly, truly outrageous. you on the other hand look svelte as can be! :) woohoo!
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psychsarah • July 16, 2007 at 1:04 pm
tee hee-I love that we’re around the same age, and you have the same “vintage” of memories (like your previous post about the Monica song). I actually had Jem dolls, and oddly, they were a totally different proportion than Barbie-waaaay bigger (as in, Jem’s shoes would fit both of Barbie’s feet with room to spare…) Odd the things you remember eh? But I digress….your proportions are certainly fantastic these days! Congrats on shedding pounds and fear!
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Patty • July 16, 2007 at 1:27 pm
You look great! And I don’t see any double chin! It is nice to be normal and blend in with a group. I can’t wait to that person again and quit having the stinkin thinkin that ‘I am the fattest one in my group of friends’. I hope to be normal by next year or close to it. You inspire me!
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Allison • July 16, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Don’t get too skinny and disappear on us.
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LauraBora from Bufadora • July 16, 2007 at 2:22 pm
You are close in age to my younger sister and she was ALL about Jem back in the day. Thanks for the great smile you inspired before I even read your post!
Girl, you look great and I am love hearing that you FEEL free and good about blending in with the “Normies”.
I remember the first time I tried on Levis jeans after my first round with major weight loss – and I wept in the dressing room from gratitude. No more Venezia for me! I could wear “normal people” clothes.
So I salute you! Stand right out in front!
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Debbie • July 16, 2007 at 2:22 pm
I don’t see a double chin. You look great. How tall are you, by the way?
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PastaQueen • July 16, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Debbie – I’m 5’9″
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jen • July 16, 2007 at 3:04 pm
You’re ready to join the band! Congrats on the “I can look at photos” milestone.
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dee • July 16, 2007 at 4:07 pm
wowzer! you look awesome. i would of never selected you as the former fat chick. look at those collarbones, i would die for a neck and shoulders like that -and your smile says it all! proof is in the pudding that hard work, exercise, will power, and healthy eating, as well as a great sense of humor really does pay off. in the minds of the overweight everywhere normal is what it’s all about!
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Karen • July 16, 2007 at 6:09 pm
O/T Do you still have to wear glasses after eye surgery?
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Zanitta • July 16, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I officially just fell in love with you for knowing about Jem (sidenote, maybe I need to raise my standards?). The picture looks great, it must be so nice to go somewhere and not be the biggest one!
(to the poster asking about the glasses, I think you wear non-prescription ones for 6 weeks (or so?) after the procedure to protect your eyes while they are healing fully. At least my mum had to [along with some hilariously bug-esque eye cover things while she slept])
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jae • July 16, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I’d love to party with Jem! She’s so cool. You look awesome (what skin under your chin?) and I would have never guessed that you were the one that was the big girl. You blend in perfectly! ~j
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Megan • July 16, 2007 at 6:25 pm
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and it’s been an inspiration for me, like many others. I too am a tall chick (5’9″) and am currently at 184 hoping to get to 165ish (I’m down from 215). It’s nice to see someone who’s similar in body type and realize that’s close to what I look like as well! It’s hard to readjust after always seeing yourself as bigger. Keep up the good work!!
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PastaQueen • July 16, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Karen – This photo was taken before my LASIK. As for what Zanitta said, I did have to wear these weird space-age goggles to bed for a week to make sure I didn’t rub my eyes when I woke up or while I was sleeping.
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yo • July 16, 2007 at 6:42 pm
1. You look great. No one would ever know you were heavy ever. And you look really pretty when you smile like that with teeth.
2. Am I the only one who thought the Jem doll was scarily “big” and “fat” compared to the Barbie doll as a kid? I know. Major issues.
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shelly • July 16, 2007 at 10:41 pm
I can NOT escape Jem today! My sister sent me the intro link via YOUTUBE…and now this!Strange
btw you look fab!
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Her Grace • July 16, 2007 at 11:12 pm
I totally hide my body behind someone every time I get a picture taken. Great post…lovely picture!
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PastaQueen • July 16, 2007 at 11:37 pm
yo – I didn’t think the Jem doll was fat, but I did think she was a giant. Maybe she had a glandular problem :) She had more flexible joints though and you could bend her hands and knees more than a Barbie. Plus the flashing earring were cool.
Of course, Barbie and Jem could never share clothes, so in that way it was like a fat girl/thin girl relationship.
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Sparker • July 17, 2007 at 1:38 am
YESSSSSSS! I was so stoked to see Jem that I was driven to comment! With lots of exclamation points!!!
I’m almost 22, and apparently at the tale-end of the Jem phenomenon, because almost none of my freinds ever watched it growing up and I cannot understand how they survived missing out on its awesomeness.
Jem is excitement, indeed! And so is your blog- I always love reading : )
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Sparker • July 17, 2007 at 1:40 am
*tail end. Oh spelling.
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Karen • July 17, 2007 at 9:17 am
You look Amazing!! I don’t see any extra skin under that chin! I see a beautiful skinny girl!
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Kelly Schwartz • July 17, 2007 at 9:19 am
First of all, I love Jem and the Holograms and second of all, I love this blog. A co-worker of mine directed me to your blog a few weeks ago and it’s great. I laugh every time I read it and who doesn’t need a good pick me up in the morning? Thanks for all your motivation and making me feel good about this weight loss journey. -Kelly
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Erin • July 17, 2007 at 10:26 am
OMG! JEM! I flipped to your blog this morning and squeaked out, “JEM!!” My husband (who is British, I’m American) didn’t get what I was so excited about. But I remember Jem. Ah, the memories… ;)
You look fabulous. I could never tell who had lost so much weight. Actually, I was thinking that you’re looking thinner than a couple of your cohorts. Must be all the running, because look at those legs!
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Kim • July 17, 2007 at 12:09 pm
I actually think you look thinner than some of the other ladies in the photo. I think it is you very defined jaw and collarbones. I am so envious of a defined jaw. I am working to find my own.
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Erin • July 17, 2007 at 12:10 pm
God, that’s the best validation isn’t it? You look wonderful. How come you don’t get to be Synergy, though?
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Allison • July 17, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Totally unrelated to this blog entry….but I got copies of my doctor’s records today and he said I look “well-nourished”, too (mentioned in previous entry). I’m 5’8″ and 135 lbs…not because of dieting, but because of DIABETES. It allows you to eat anything and it goes right out. One perk of the nasty autoimmune disease. Anyway…I think “well nourished” must mean something else b/c I am super super skinny.
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PastaQueen • July 17, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Kim – I’m also the farthest away from the camera, so that helps me look smaller. I think everyone looks great. I used to play that game, “Is she fatter than me?” a lot, but I’ve mostly stopped now. I always felt a strange mix of pride and self-disgust whenever I compared my size to that of friends. Even if you win, you lose, you know?
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spacedcowgirl • July 17, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I remember even at the time really liking the Jem dolls’ shoes because they actually had some substance to them. Barbie’s were so ridiculously small you could hardly identify them as a shoe.
I can’t remember her name (I loved her cute white bob, face makeup, and iridescent leggings), but I have a doll of one of the Misfits and I found it under our guest bed the other day. Ah, memories.
Great photo!
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spacedcowgirl • July 17, 2007 at 3:54 pm
OK, should have perused the available internet resources. The doll is definitely Roxy. I guess it’s not so much a “bob” though I would swear my doll has shorter hair than the examples I found online. Not that any of this matters.
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Mymsie • July 18, 2007 at 11:21 am
Congrats – you look fantastic! I don’t know about these Jem dolls you speak of but their heads sure are sassy ;)
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