I think you make a great point about the models - same would go for actors too, I guess. That environment would inevitably make you fixate on your appearance.

I know what you mean, though (I am the person who had to use "looking good in her wedding photos" as the stimulus to lose weight in the first place, even though I am ordinarily a total scruff.) The presence of a photographer who is being paid does rather make one fixate on things that would never normally be an issue.

I don't quite get why you had to take off your watch, or why you can't wear black against white... aren't your old trousers black? (I know nothing about that kind of photography.)

PQ - The black on white creates a very high contrast, so you can't see the details of the texture on the pants. They're more like a big shadow even through there were wrinkles and folds. You can see shadows on my green shirt, but there's nothing similar on the pants. If I wore all black I'd look more like a flat ink blot than a three-dimensional person with shadows. I didn't *have* to take off my watch, but I thought I should since there was really no reason to wear it.

Thank you!

You wrote the first thing people will do when they pick up your book is to look at the author photo. I don't think so! They will flip to the beginning chapter to find your before photo first, then the after.

I hope you put lots of pictures in your book. You know that's what we all want in a non-fiction book, especially one about a great amount of weight loss. I will definitely be looking for your book next year.

But now I will just fume about gold kiwi being one buck each.

I love the one-pants-leg photo too, I think you look adorable. I am saving my biggest-size pants for just such a moment.

I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now, and I think this is my favorite post. Well, it is the one I need to take most to heart right now. I've always been a fairly normal weight, as well as somewhat athletic. Yet I've spent the last eight years struggling with eating disorders and hating what I see in the mirror. I want to get to the point where I can say, like you do, that being thin and pretty is "nice, but not all that important".

Can you sew? You could make yourself two skirts from that pair of pants.

Thanks for posting THAT photo - it's a keeper for sure.

I know how you feel. This past weekend, my best friend and I went to Orlando to participate in the 2007 Torrid Model Search, and I've never been the type to obsess over makeup or hair or clothes or "should I stand this way and suck it in or since this is a plus-sized thing, should I let it hang out?" It was insane. BUT the photos of me came out pretty well, even if I don't win anything. I'm a tomboy at heart, so to try to be frilly and pretty and girly was so foreign to me. I was always too worried about how fat I was as a teenager to learn the makeup and fashion and the whole nine yards. I don't know how I could've handled it, had I had that to add to my worries.

Great photo though, and I can't wait to read your book. I'm sure it'll be hilariously fantastic, just as your blog is. :)

I cannot wait to see your selected photos on the cover of you book!

When I was in high school and got my portrait taken for the yearbook, I was an absolute emotional disaster. I didn't really like any of them, but looking back at the proofs, EVERY. ONE. WAS. PRETTY. (except the one where I was cross-eyed, of course). It was just my mindset.

I bet the publisher will cheap out on photos, but don't let them!

And I love you so much for talking about all this, I have been so freaked out over what to wear for events and stuff coming up (and I love fashion, in the arty sense, I mean... I'm a graphic designer, and I love color and texture and knitting and stuff) but I'm not "high fashion" and mostly I've just had to come to terms with the fact that I can please everyone, and for a people pleaser such as myself this is a drama LOL.

I am so excited about your book and can't wait to read it.

Anyway, I do love love love that pic. You are so cute. Your smile! And look -- half of you :)

I am a photographer and I always think it's kind of funny to see how much some people stress in front of the camera. You shouldn't worry so much. It's the photographers job to make you look good, it's not your job. The person taking your pictures will help by knowing what lighting to use, what poses to put you, what angles to photograph you from. You shouldn't have to worry about looking skinny!

btw, I do love that photo! You always look very comfortable with yourself in pictures, I like that.

The offer is still open for your free photo shoot the next time you are in Boston.

Your post made me think how hard it must be for celebrities who struggle with their weight and how unforgiving the camera can be. You'll have to get used to having your picture taken because I'm sure when you are on the book tour all of your fans will want to have their pictures taken with the incredible Pasta Queen, I know I will.

I love your blog and look forward to each and every new post. You are such an inspiration!

I definitely know what you're saying. At my lowest (size 5), I still thought I was HUGE and ugly and iky and all sorts of mean and horrible stuff. Nothing was right. I had an epiphany the other day that I sort of blogged about. Even if you don't feel it everyday, you've got to "fake it 'til you make it" and I've been trying to do that now. I pretend that I think I look AWESOME, and then sometimes I do. It's difficult to do though.

Anyway, love your blog, you're an inspiration -- partyl because of the weight loss but partly just because you have the courage to talk about things others wouldn't.

PS- Love, love, love the tennis shoes. Too cute!

I agree with using just a headshot, especially on the jacket cover. Maybe the one pants leg on the back, but headshots are for AUTHORS, and you are an AUTHOR.

What about a split-screen author photo on the back, then and now? Will there be photos in the book.

I am really looking forward to reading it, as a person who has had weight issues my whole life!