Tuesday, August 16, 2011

People Notice...

I saw a lot of people today that I haven't seen in a while. I was mentoring the new teachers in our school system and got the chance to see some of my friends who work in other buildings who were also there to mentor the new hires.  During a regular school year, we have little opportunity to engage with one another other than by email, so even though some of them knew about this journey I've been on for 16 months now, many of them hadn't actually seen me.  I heard some great feedback today from my colleagues about my progress on this journey!  It was actually a really nice feeling to be complimented on my hard work.  One of my colleagues that I haven't seen in about 2 years, though, really stunned me.  She said she didn't even recognize me!  She and I taught in the same building for 7 years.  It's not like she didn't know what I looked like...but she had to look really hard to realize it actually was ME standing in front of her.
Really?  Am I so totally different physically that I don't even look like the same person?  Her comment gave me an idea.  I wanted to see just how different I appear.  People notice the changes, which are really beginning to be obvious.  I get that.  And I know I've lost almost 80 pounds since my friend had last seen me, but surely my features are still somewhat similar, right?
So these pictures in this post are my little experiment.  They are taken almost exactly 2 years apart.  The one on the left is July of 2009 and the one on the right was July of 2011.  The one on the left would be how I looked the last time she saw me.  The one on the right is pretty close to how I look today.
You be the judge...what do you think?  Is there anything in these two pictures that let you know its still the same person?  I'm really curious about what you think.  Please leave a comment on this post if you're comfortable with that.  Or you can email me if you'd like to be a bit more private.  My email is angiehaube@gmail.com.
Tomorrow, I'll let you know what I think about this.  I need a bit more time to chew on this one!  Something tells me, though, that this is an important step on the journey.  
How I see myself physically is perhaps more important than I've thought.  I give a lot of thought to how I view myself emotionally, spiritually, intellectually.  But giving a lot of attention to how I see myself physically has always felt a little vain to me.  I may have to rethink that, though.  In reality, this is one of the first things people notice.  This is what my colleague's comment pointed out to me today.  She literally did not recognize someone she worked with for 7 years!  Not my eyes, not my smile, not my voice.  She had to look hard to see me because what she remembers of me didn't fit who was standing in front of her.  
Physical appearance is not the most important measure of a person...not by a long shot!  I know that.  But maybe because I've been obese for so long, I've gotten very used to ignoring how I look to other people.  
I've got to do some thinking on this...all suggestions and ideas are welcome!


10 comments:

  1. I can see the Angie Haube I know in your eyes, skin tone and hair color, mainly. Regardless, you look great and caring for yourself physically is by no means vain! I used to think the same way, but I realize that physical appearance is important, as people do judge whether they want to get to know you by appearances. As you said, however, spiritual and intellectual growth are much more impotant in the long run. The key, I believe, is balance. God Bless and thanks for posting this entry! Michelle Czarnecki

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  2. The picture that was taken this year looks more like you when I saw you last which was probably 15 years ago or more (Prob more). But both pictures look like you. But I can't see where your voice would have changed at all...just because you lose weight or gain weight, doesn't change your voice any.

    But good luck with your journey and I am cheering you on...

    Debi

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  3. Mrs. Haube, really, it would have taken me a few minutes to recognize you. However, I would have been more amazed at what you had accomplished than anything. Amazed and encouraged that I too could do the same! You have put much hard work into your weight loss efforts, with that said please do not consider it vain to be attentive to your physical self. My goal is a little black dress, and I really mean a little one!

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  4. Angie, having not seen you in person for too many years to count I have to say that while I can see you in both pictures, knowing it is you, I can also see how someone who hasn't seen you in a long time would have to think hard about whether the new you is you or just someone who strongly resembles you. Your face is much thinner. Your beautiful eyes are more prominent. And it may just be the pose, but the later pic has way more attitude than the first ;-). You may have changed in ways you don't realize that made it harder too -- perhaps the way you carry yourself has changed; maybe your voice is more confident and vibrant; maybe you just glow with health and inner joy more than you did before.

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  5. Thank you all for the feedback here! I really appreciate you taking the time to offer your thoughts. I think I've come to some conclusions, too, and I'll be posting my ideas later today! Stay tuned! But seriously...I am grateful for friends who help me think big thoughts like this! Have a great day! :-)

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  6. Yes, its still you! Those eyes have it!
    The only difference is you have taken a HUGE step towards being healthy! I am so proud of you...so much so, I got on the band wagon. http://mytinhairmusings.blogspot.com/p/my-weight-tracker.html

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  7. You will always be the same person on the inside;however, your outer covering has changed and will continue to do so as you continue to lose weight.

    I think I could pick you out of a crowd based on your eyes and smile. No matter how much your body may change, you can't change how pretty your eyes and smile are.

    I lost 60lbs and had to adjust to the attention I was receiving form people I didn't even know. It isn't that I have this to die for body. As I lost weight, I dressed differently. I dressed as a more confident secure person. The way the general public treated me was something to get use to. I was more of let me blend into the wall person and now I felt as if I was thrown out into the public arena. I had to change the way I thought about myself. Being the mom and wife, I had gotten into a way of thinking about everyone else comes first and I am a by product. There will be some adjusting in the way you think about yourself.

    Hope all this makes sense. Keep it up. You are actually inspiring me to incorporate more exercise into my daily activity. I bought running shoes over the weekend.

    Terrie

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  8. Jeanne and Terrie...YOU both just inspired me! I am so proud of both of you stepping out there...letting God challenge you and meeting Him there. If my little blog had anything to do with that, I'm grateful. Jeanne...read your blog and looked at your tracker! You go, Girl! Terrie...break in those running shoes BIG TIME this week! I'm looking forward to hearing about it!

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  9. Angie, I would like to say that I am constantly trying to look deeper than appearances. I know I personally struggle with this all the time. Thank you for your thought provoking posts and all I can say about the "new you" (keeping in mind my struggles) is that you look BEAUTIFUL!

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  10. Rhea...thank you. What a lovely compliment! Thank you for your friendship and your encouragement along my journey. I have so many people in my life who do that for me...it's an embarrassment of riches, really! But I know God knew that I'd need EACH of you to walk this road. So thanks for being there for me!

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