Why do I still feel fat ?

RAinWA

Such a timely post for me! Yesterday I was having a total "I'm fat and I hate my clothes" day. I've lost 126 pounds and been maintaining for 8 months - you'd think by now I'd be used to being smaller but I looked in the mirror and all I could see was the fat me looking back!

Good to know I'm not just weird and that others go through the same thing. Going back and looking at my "before" pics really helped.

katematt313

I know what you mean. I've lost 60 lbs, and have 25 pounds to go. I had a whirlwind weight loss last year and things have now slowed down.

I still have a "journey" ahead of me to get to where I want to be.

The hard part has been realizing/internalizing how far I've come (because I sure don't feel thin), and dealing with the feelings that arise when other people want me to know that my journey is probably over by this point ("you can't have more to lose - you'll disappear" or "you know, you may not be able to lose the rest").

It is not easy, but you have to find a way to be mindful of how far you've come, and keep up your motivation. You also need to be realistic about your time table for reaching your goals. You can reach them. Nothing is out of your grasp! Don't be discouraged. You can definitely do this!!

ellisboyd1

You're not alone here.

Take a picture, and compare with an earlier picture. Maybe try on some of your old clothes. You need pictures/old clothes to show you what you were, because your brain forgets very quickly.

SwankyTomato

I would add strength training and tone the rest of the way getting some guidance from a sports PT place since you have health issues.

I know in my case my muscles are stretched out, which makes me feel fatter.

I also had to overcome issues with my hips, core, and feet. My PT was worth it's weight in gold imo.

ShellyBell999

You are incredible, WOW 80lbs!!
Try some weight lifting to re-composition your body a bit.
You'll feel better and the arthritis won't be such a bother.

aylajane

Keep in mind that after losing 80 pounds, you will have some loose skin that likely weighs a few pounds. I have lost a lot of weight (several times) and had a baby 18 years ago... My stomach looks "fat" in that I can "pinch an inch" (more like 3). I thought it was fat until I had a DEXA scan showing I am only 17% body fat... that is ALL SKIN. I know at least 5 pounds is skin on me.

So if you actually were to get to 124 and had 5 pounds of "excess skin" it would be like being 119, which is too small.

So first, find out your body fat - if it is in a good range, you are probably at a good weight... 2nd, check out how much loose skin you have and try to honestly think how much that might weigh on its own... and add that to your goal weight (i.e. 129 might be your true goal weight... since if the skin were removed you would be 124). DEXA scan can almost give you an exact number if needed...
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- Also, age and muscle tone make a huge difference in weight. If you are exercising (especially weight bearing) more than you were 33 years ago you probably have more muscle now than then. There is no way to compare your body to something it was 30 years ago and have identical muscle/fat ratios for an unbiased comparison. Muscle is denser than fat, so while I weigh 130 now, the last time I weighed 130 i was more likely 25% body fat so a bigger size than I am now.
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- You dont walk around with your weight displayed... and no one ever said "oh that girl looks HOT... wait... she weighs what? never mind"... Pick a look you want instead, and work until you hit that instead of an arbitrary number on the scale no one sees but you. Same for clothing size... dont bother saying you want to be a size 4 - I could wear a 4 now (I wear 6) but my thighs have so much muscle they are too tight (but the waist is too big still)... Your shape also depends on muscle and fat distribution. Again you dont wear the tag on the outside - no one ever says "oh that girl looks HOT... wait... she wears a 6? never mind, if only she were a 4"...
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- Look in the mirrow and takes pics every month from top to bottom, front to back. Figure out what you are not happy with (waist too thick, back fat, skinny butt etc) and work on that part however you need to (while you cant spot reduce fat, you can even out muscle to look more proportional and more muscle burns fat...s o....). Once you are happy with the mirror, the scale and sizes mean nothing except a guide for maintenance (i.e. if your weight goes up a few pounds, check out the mirror again!).

Marz009

how did you lose so much, that's amazing. its only natural that you will eventually hit a plateau. i don't think you really feel fat, i think its just extra skin after so much wight loss but don't confuse that with fat. you've lost a ton of weight and your at the finish line, i think you deserve to finish your goal. you've done the hardest part and i think the best way to reward yourself is to finish these few last pounds off for good.
best of luck!

fizzleh

At my lightest weight I still felt fat. I have gained a little now and only now do I see that I was actually thin looking back on old pictures from last year, even though I didn't feel it at the time.

jenmovies

Try swimming. That is so easy on the body, and great for fitness. You've done so well! OH and remember, muscle weighs more so you might be seeing muscle pounds and not fat ones.