November 26, 2010-present weight loss




2012 weight loss



Monday, November 21, 2011

Nora's First Escada

Sorry for the brief blogging hiatus, but I was in NJ for a week and spent that time running around like a lunatic.  I had to see my gyno for my three month check up on a cervical cyst I have had for years.  Her partner had been a bit concerned about it when I saw her in June, so I had to go for tests over the summer.  I finally got word that everything is OK, but ah... the anxiety leading up to hearing this was not fun.  I also had my 1-year check up with Dr. K.  I know it is a bit early for the visit, but I didn't want to have to schedule the appointment closer to Christmas when I will be at least as busy as I am now.  Dr. K said that my espohogram looked good and that I was still losing weight steadily.  She flat out refused to give me a fill, and in reality I agree that I don't need one quite yet.  I am slightly concerned that I will need one closer to Christmas and will not be able to get one, but I will cross that bridge later.  
   
I visited the Under Armour outlet to pick up some gym sweats last week- boring!  On my way back to the car I passed the Escada outlet and saw the most dangerous word I can ever come across when shopping: SALE.  I typically avoid Escada, as the clothes have not fit me since 2004 or 2005.  I decided to take a peak this time and see what the store had to offer.  My rule was simple- no cashmere sweaters and nothing stretchy.  If I was going to plunge into the realm of designer merchandise, it had to be real clothes (skirts, jeans, trousers, etc.).  A very nice saleswoman approached me before the door even closed behind me- always a good sign- and I chose a pair of jeans and a pair of pinstriped trousers, both in size 46.  The jeans fit perfectly, but the pinstripes were TOO BIG on me.  I wound up buying them in a 44 instead.  Yippee!  So now I know that I can actually wear some 'normal' clothes.  After this epiphany I went home and weeded through my remaining clothing at mom's home.  I am now able to wear most of my old but very, very beautiful Ellen Tracy outfits in size 14!  I also fit into a pair of size 14 jeans that I bought on sale over the summer and never, ever thought I would actually squeeze into:)
     
Mom and I went for much-needed pedicures on Thursday.  Her pedicurist, Arlene, had not been working at the spa for several months as she was battling liver cancer.  She cam back recently, but I had not seen her since last winter or spring.  She came in and started speaking with mom and completely ignored me.  I sat there silently- Arlene finally looked at me and almost jumped out of her skin.  Her chin dropped down to her chest, and she just stood there.  It was quite funny that the woman who did my nails for my wedding and has known me for more than 5 years didn't immediately recognize me.   
   
An artist girlfriend of mine had an opening on Saturday evening, and I bought a new dress... as well as new shoes (4.5" heel with a 3/4" platform), of course... for the occasion.  I had my mom take a picture so I could do a little collage.  Unfortunately, mi madre has an uncanny way of cutting off the top of my head in photos.  Anyway, this artist girlfriend and I are from the same area and have a number of mutual acquaintances.  One is a girl I went to school with from beginners-high school.  I probably hadn't seen her since graduation in 1997.  She was at the gallery, and I 100% refused to go over and say hi.  I remember her as a Grade-A Bitch, and I have heard that she hasn't changed.  At some point she saw me, raced across the gallery, wrapped her arms around me, and told me how fantastic I looked.  She said that we simply MUST meet up for a boozy lunch or dinner and catch up, etc.  I am certain that she would not have even bothered approaching Fat Nora, let alone saying that we should catch up.  I don't know if I will ever bother reaching out to her, but it was so nice to have her come to me!  The opening and subsequent evening out at a local restaurant/bar wound up being so much more fun than I had expected.  I am a social person, but the idea of spending the night with (mostly) strangers really didn't appeal to me.  I like feeling comfortable meeting new people and being pretty confident that I am not going to be a sweaty, fat mess in a crowded room! 
   
I probably have a lot more to report, but this post is getting ridiculously long.  Instead, I will leave you with my comparison photo. 
     
 
 

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nora, I can see why people might not recognize you by lookin gat the photos side by side.

Steph said...

You look amazing! Honestly, I would give her a chance, as we all change and you never know, she may be a different person. That is something only you can decided. You don't want to be judged based on what others may hear about you so give her the same respect. That being said, when you are out, be honest with her and ask her why she was always such a bitch to you when you were younger? She may have had something really traumatic going on in her life and that was her only way to act...we never know, but at least you'll know if she was just a bitch or not. :)

Catherine55 said...

WOW!! You look gorgeous!! Don't bother making plans with that girl .. I have a feeling your husband may be requiring all of your extra time!! Hee hee!! :) Great dress -- and what an awesome set of NSVs!

vickyd said...

All I can say is WOW!! You look stunning!! Congrats on the NSVs at Escada - you deserve them!!

MandaPanda said...

Holy cow! A whole new you! You look so fantastic and what wonderful NSV's to report!

chloes_countdown said...

hot damn, sister!! you look gooooooood :)

greenie said...

Nooraaa! You look amazing! Great NSVs!

Lee Ann said...

You look great Nora!!

Beth Ann said...

WOW!! What a staggering before and after. You look fabulous, girl!

Mari said...

You look absolutely incredible, Nora!!

Cece said...

Stunning ! And, my Mom always cuts off head in pics too :)

Beth said...

Nothing like a cute little black dress to show off the new you! Save up your pennies girl, I see more Escada in your future!

Dawnya said...

Simply beautiful!!!

trishajo said...

love LOVE the dress!!

Melissa Wolf said...

LOVE this post, Nora...love that your gyn visit went well, that you're treating yourselves to ever shrinking new clothing, and that you had a fun night out looking HOT, lady!!

Rachel said...

I love your update - you look great and sounds like you feel fantastic too! You are AMAZING!

xxx

Theresa said...

Wow!!! congrats!

Lap Band Gal said...

A-MAH-ZING before/now pics...

I can't imagine trying to live in London and lose weight...so many yummies EVERYWHERE. My fave? The chicken curry takeaway from Waitrose. YUM.

You are rocking the weight loss.

I lived in London (SW7) for 4 months once. What's that famous quote...? Oh yeah something like: When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.

speck said...

You look great Nora!

Rhonda said...

I'm late, but I wanted to say how fantastic you look. And how great the news was that you're all in the clear health-wise. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!