I have been what you are going through about 5 different times. I have been in Weight Watchers since i was 15 and I am now 53. I have lost over a hundred pounds 3 times, and have lost, 80, 70, 50.. etc.. probably 500 pounds over the years, maybe more. The last time I lost the weight, I was in a daze. I couldn't pick out clothes for myself.. actually had a friend come and make me try on things that I thought were too small for me or would look terrible on me. I had a complete makeover, and looking at the pictures, I looked like a million dollars. I had dozens of former students come up to me and hug my neck or do the "You're Kidding!" routine on me. Each time, it make me get that little bubble of excitement, but still, every time I looked in the mirror, I saw the 280 pound person. I really didn't believe compliments, because they didn't fit my picture of myself.
I have been going to a therapist for nearly three years now, for depression and other issues, and we constantly work on self-image. I am to the point that I know I see myself with warped eyes and others tell it like they see it, and that will have to do for now. At least I am not clueless.
As for men.. well, I got so much attention from men that I began to get the "unknown to a fat girl" arousal thing. Now I am married, and nobody but my husband ever made me feel this way.. It scared the hell out of me that I could be feeling these things by the actions and reactions of other men, and that began my last backslide into obesity. (We have worked on how to handle that next time in therapy, too.)
You know, I was a voice major in college, and after a Vocal Lab, I had a really cute Tenor tell me that "if I looked as good as I sounded, I would be like velvet to touch and rich to have." It was a roundabout compliment/insult.. and funny, after 28 years, I still remember it.
My husband.. well, he is the flip of the coin. I asked him during the middle of one of my big weight losses if it even mattered if I lost the weight. He looked into my eyes and told me that he loved me whatever weight I was, and If I was happy, then he was overjoyed. then he said that the only reason he would want me to lose weight would be so he could love me that much longer.
I have the only great man
Paula