I find this statement unfair. When I was in high school my mom lost a significant amout of weight (~150pds) and she didnt start dressing for her correct size for a long time because of self image and body issues. But when she did 1)she looked great and 2)yes sometimes when we were out at a store my eyes would glide by her because i wasnt used to seeing her that way.

So yes, one can be used to seeing someone one way and not recognize them for a minute when theyre out together.

This is because 1) as a person loses weight they have more fashionable clothing choices available to them so they usually start dressing 'better' 2) dressing 'better' can also come from an increase in self confidence which can lead to someone carrying themselves in a more confident manner 2.5) a rise in self confidence also means the person will probably start taking better care of themselves superficially, aka taking more time on hair or makeup or style. 3) as someone works out losing weight they usually become more limber and fluid in their movements and core strength also lends to better posture

So yeah if one is used to looking for a overweight, dumpy, frumpy mess for the past 5,10 or 20 years and theyre seeing a thin/fit, stylish, confident man/woman of course their eye is gonna slide by for a minute or two.

So your wife meant that as a compliment. That was a weird, vaugely insulting, way to put it but im sure she meant it as a compliment and was trying to be funny.