Lost 50lbs but can't see a difference
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It can take a long time to "see" yourself as you are now. The suggestions above (comparing pictures, pants, etc.) are good ways to help that. I also like to find pictures of 50 lb things (fish, cheese, etc.) just to "see" what's been lost. I'll get you started:
Here's a 50 lb Mackerel (holy crap that's huge!)
Here's a 50 lb cheeseburger
Some lady holding 50 lbs of sugar
A lady holding her 50 lb dog
...
Seriously, 50 lbs lost is a great achievement!18 -
I've lost 35 lbs and it took awhile for my brain to catch up. It's hard to explain but I couldn't 'see' myself in the mirror. One day, it seemed like the light had been turned on and I could see a big difference. I think part of it is gaining confidence. When someone gives me a compliment, I have had a hard time not responding negatively. My first reaction was to make a comment like 'I hope I don't gain it back this summer'! Instead of just saying thank you! I've had a fitness assessment every 6 weeks. Having that objective, documented progress really helps me mentally when I feel I'm not moving forward.2
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If you can wear clothing that is 2-3 sizes smaller, your old tops DO NOT FIT PROPERLY. Bring them to Goodwill immediately and purchase new ones (or just me to you) in your appropriate size. You will immediately notice the difference.4
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I love the pictures of things that weight as much as you've lost.
While I havent had to buy new clothes cause I had heaps that were too small and now fit, I have had to ditch clothes cause they looked ridiculous. One pair of shorts that I've stashed away for a reminder I originally wore with spandax underneath so they fit, now they look stupid big and fall from my hips (nearly plumbers crack) rather than around my midsection. Skirts and dresses seem to be less obvious for body changes.3 -
Thanks a lot everyone for the advice x2
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SapiensPisces wrote: »It can take a long time to "see" yourself as you are now. The suggestions above (comparing pictures, pants, etc.) are good ways to help that. I also like to find pictures of 50 lb things (fish, cheese, etc.) just to "see" what's been lost. I'll get you started:
Here's a 50 lb Mackerel (holy crap that's huge!)
Here's a 50 lb cheeseburger
Some lady holding 50 lbs of sugar
A lady holding her 50 lb dog
...
Seriously, 50 lbs lost is a great achievement!
Haha this is great, very encouraging thank you!4 -
myfightforfitness wrote: »SapiensPisces wrote: »It can take a long time to "see" yourself as you are now. The suggestions above (comparing pictures, pants, etc.) are good ways to help that. I also like to find pictures of 50 lb things (fish, cheese, etc.) just to "see" what's been lost. I'll get you started:
Here's a 50 lb Mackerel (holy crap that's huge!)
Here's a 50 lb cheeseburger
Some lady holding 50 lbs of sugar
A lady holding her 50 lb dog
...
Seriously, 50 lbs lost is a great achievement!
Haha this is great, very encouraging thank you!
No problem! Congrats again, and hang in there.1 -
SapiensPisces wrote: »It can take a long time to "see" yourself as you are now. The suggestions above (comparing pictures, pants, etc.) are good ways to help that. I also like to find pictures of 50 lb things (fish, cheese, etc.) just to "see" what's been lost. I'll get you started:
I kind of want to kiss your feet for this. Thank you. I'd been thinking of it as lugging around an extra six gallons of milk every minute of my life, just so I could feel some sense of accomplishment.
I've lost 52 pounds since December 29, @myfightforfitness, and I honestly can't see it either. I can kind of feel it inside, but I do wish I could see it too.
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WordWhisperer wrote: »SapiensPisces wrote: »It can take a long time to "see" yourself as you are now. The suggestions above (comparing pictures, pants, etc.) are good ways to help that. I also like to find pictures of 50 lb things (fish, cheese, etc.) just to "see" what's been lost. I'll get you started:
I kind of want to kiss your feet for this. Thank you. I'd been thinking of it as lugging around an extra six gallons of milk every minute of my life, just so I could feel some sense of accomplishment.
I've lost 52 pounds since December 29, @myfightforfitness, and I honestly can't see it either. I can kind of feel it inside, but I do wish I could see it too.
I'm down 58, and it took me the better part of 2 years to really grasp it in the mirror. I "saw" it in pictures, pants, etc. but changing how you see yourself in the mirror takes a while for some. Just be patient!0 -
I totally understand. I have lost 40 pounds so far, gone from 255 to 215, and everyone is telling me I look great, but I still see the same fat, hideous creature from before. It obviously has something to do with one's own self-esteem, and perhaps some therapy could help sort things out. But if that's not for you, there are other things you can do, such as focusing on other changes you have made in the last few months. For example, I can run 3 miles, and I couldn't do that before. What can you do now that you couldn't do before?
Congratulations on losing the weight... that's a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud.0 -
WordWhisperer wrote: »SapiensPisces wrote: »It can take a long time to "see" yourself as you are now. The suggestions above (comparing pictures, pants, etc.) are good ways to help that. I also like to find pictures of 50 lb things (fish, cheese, etc.) just to "see" what's been lost. I'll get you started:
I kind of want to kiss your feet for this. Thank you. I'd been thinking of it as lugging around an extra six gallons of milk every minute of my life, just so I could feel some sense of accomplishment.
I've lost 52 pounds since December 29, @myfightforfitness, and I honestly can't see it either. I can kind of feel it inside, but I do wish I could see it too.RespectTheKitty wrote: »I totally understand. I have lost 40 pounds so far, gone from 255 to 215, and everyone is telling me I look great, but I still see the same fat, hideous creature from before. It obviously has something to do with one's own self-esteem, and perhaps some therapy could help sort things out. But if that's not for you, there are other things you can do, such as focusing on other changes you have made in the last few months. For example, I can run 3 miles, and I couldn't do that before. What can you do now that you couldn't do before?
Congratulations on losing the weight... that's a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud.
Thanks guys I'm glad I'm not the only one!
I guess I can also feel it in the inside and like I can walk abit faster than before and for much longer without getting a numbing pain in my shins
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I have lost 33lbs and no one at work or family has said anything. I reflect on it and say to myself I must be really fat for no one to even notice an entire toddler I have dropped. So if you have family and friend support take it for what it is because being on the opposite end when no one has said anything makes you feel like crap. So take a bow and keep moving, go shopping your new wardrobe will get those eyes open.0
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I went from a size 18 to a size 8 and I still look in a mirror and feel like I am still just as fat as I was when I was a size 18 at times. It is an issue that takes time to work through and realize and it is something that is within yourself.
hugs and great job in the weight loss so far and keep it up. Your mind will eventually catch up. 0 -
Try stacking 50, 1lb blocks of butter on a table. Literally, that is what you have unloaded. Its a remarkable achievement, dont sell yourself short on this accomplishment. And remember, studies shows that for each pound of body weight lost, there is a 4-pound reduction in knee joint stress among overweight and obese people with osteoarthritis of the knee. Researchers say the results indicate that even modest weight loss may significantly lighten the load on your joints. So you have just relieved your knees of 200 lbs of pressure, and thats GOTTA be good for you!! Congrats!!0
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ktilton70130 wrote: »I have lost 33lbs and no one at work or family has said anything. I reflect on it and say to myself I must be really fat for no one to even notice an entire toddler I have dropped. So if you have family and friend support take it for what it is because being on the opposite end when no one has said anything makes you feel like crap. So take a bow and keep moving, go shopping your new wardrobe will get those eyes open.
Hey great job on losing the weight, keep at it and trust me the comments will come all at once out of know where! Good luck!
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sunflowerhippi wrote: »I went from a size 18 to a size 8 and I still look in a mirror and feel like I am still just as fat as I was when I was a size 18 at times. It is an issue that takes time to work through and realize and it is something that is within yourself.
hugs and great job in the weight loss so far and keep it up. Your mind will eventually catch up.cross2bear wrote: »Try stacking 50, 1lb blocks of butter on a table. Literally, that is what you have unloaded. Its a remarkable achievement, dont sell yourself short on this accomplishment. And remember, studies shows that for each pound of body weight lost, there is a 4-pound reduction in knee joint stress among overweight and obese people with osteoarthritis of the knee. Researchers say the results indicate that even modest weight loss may significantly lighten the load on your joints. So you have just relieved your knees of 200 lbs of pressure, and thats GOTTA be good for you!! Congrats!!
Thanks a lot for the support guys! And good luck on your journey x0 -
You could go off of how tight / loose your clothes feel since you lost the weight.0
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Yup. I've lost 50. My pants fit the same - I look the same. I am the same. Eventually though the weight has to come off from somewhere where it will show. Just gotta keep trucking along!0
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Pictures? Clothes that didn't fit before? Feeling lighter? Being able to lift heavier, run faster? Occupy less space when sitting somewhere? Being able to cross your legs more flexibly? Feeling more bones and less fat? Eyes seem any bigger?
The list is just endless0 -
First of all, I started with nearly the same stats, and I felt the same. Unfortunately, the more you have to lose, the longer it might take to see changes. However, it also depends on your body types; many people will carry their loss differently.
Secondly, it's extremely difficult to see these positive changes because we still see ourselves pre-loss. I can't speak for you, but when it comes to myself, I worry that I still see "fat me" as a form of motivation and protection. But that's terrible. I deserve to see all of my hard work. It's like my brain is attempting to prevent me from getting complacent.
I promise you, friends and family have noticed. I promise you that beyond the number on the scale, your body is feeling this change. Take measurements and photos for reference. That might help you see the changes a bit faster. You are nearing the point where you should start seeing the physical changes. For some reason, everything over 200 for me was slow. It even took me forever to get into the next pant size down, even though 30lbs were gone. Then ONEderland hit, and all of the sudden, you are going through sizes like it's your job.
Keep up the amazing work, and congratulations! 50 pounds is such a wonderful accomplishment!0 -
You could go off of how tight / loose your clothes feel since you lost the weight.
That's true thank youReady2Rock206 wrote: »Yup. I've lost 50. My pants fit the same - I look the same. I am the same. Eventually though the weight has to come off from somewhere where it will show. Just gotta keep trucking along!
Aww I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your journey xMaria_Fatima wrote: »Pictures? Clothes that didn't fit before? Feeling lighter? Being able to lift heavier, run faster? Occupy less space when sitting somewhere? Being able to cross your legs more flexibly? Feeling more bones and less fat? Eyes seem any bigger?
The list is just endless
You're right I can feel more of my bones now! Lol
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samanthachen wrote: »First of all, I started with nearly the same stats, and I felt the same. Unfortunately, the more you have to lose, the longer it might take to see changes. However, it also depends on your body types; many people will carry their loss differently.
Secondly, it's extremely difficult to see these positive changes because we still see ourselves pre-loss. I can't speak for you, but when it comes to myself, I worry that I still see "fat me" as a form of motivation and protection. But that's terrible. I deserve to see all of my hard work. It's like my brain is attempting to prevent me from getting complacent.
I promise you, friends and family have noticed. I promise you that beyond the number on the scale, your body is feeling this change. Take measurements and photos for reference. That might help you see the changes a bit faster. You are nearing the point where you should start seeing the physical changes. For some reason, everything over 200 for me was slow. It even took me forever to get into the next pant size down, even though 30lbs were gone. Then ONEderland hit, and all of the sudden, you are going through sizes like it's your job.
Keep up the amazing work, and congratulations! 50 pounds is such a wonderful accomplishment!
Thank you so much you're comment about being in the 100's and fitting into smaller sizes has excited me as I've finally hit onderland! :-D0 -
You went from almost 40 bmi which is morbidly obese to 31ish bmi which is obese class 1 and close to being categorized as just overweight. It can be hard to see a difference in oneself between heavy and heavy, but you dramatically improved your risk of health problems.1
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I'm in a similar boat - I've lost 35 pounds and I don't think I look any different. My mother and boyfriend disagree and say there IS a noticeable difference.
Try taking pictures: from the front and from either side. Also, keep in mind the paper towel analogy:The lesson to be learned is that fat, like paper towels, comes off in sheets. When you are heavy, you are big around. And when you are big around, that fat is spread over a MUCH larger area - just like that outside towel sheet. The closer you get to the lean you, the more each lost pound of fat shows, because it is spread over a smaller area.
While the outside sheet may only cover 1 layer of the roll, the inside sheet may go around 4 times. That last sheet looks like it gives you 4 times the results of the first sheet, but in reality, the results are the same - your perception is just different! And you’ll never see the inside, if you aren’t patient while the outside is coming off!
Trying to remember this helps immensely. As someone who weighed 226 lbs at 5'5, I was very obese. I've lost 35 pounds - which, on a frame like mine, isn't going to be immediately apparent. Just keep at it!
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I'm 5'10 and have lost 60 pounds so far and I'm only just recently starting to notice changes on my body. Other people have been noticing for months. I think I see myself bigger than I am.. it takes a while for the brain to adjust. Looking at progress photos and taking measurements help you see the progress.0
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I lost 80 pounds and I don't see the difference either.. until I see old pictures or try on my old clothes.1
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Four years ago, I went from 300lbs to 150lbs. I never noticed any difference in the mirror until one day I suddenly did, and I cried because I didn't look like "me" anymore. It's a tough transition mentally. I'm sure you look fantastic. Give it a bit more time. Try on some old clothes, start taking some full body pictures.1
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Hey thanks everyone for all the responses :-)1
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My question is when can I expect to see a difference in myself? And has anyone ever experienced this? [/quote]
It may take time to "see" it but you can feel it right now. Go to Sam's or a big grocery store. Get 50lbs of potatoes. Carry the bags in your arms up and down every aisle twice. Take them back to the produce section. Put all the bags down. I promise you will "feel" the difference. This trick will send a message to your brain and body. There is no denying or missing the sensations. I wish you the best with your journey
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i can totally relate to feeling uncomfortable...but still you must take many photos all the time. i lost 95lbs and when you keep looking at pictures you can see the difference, it becomes so obvious and it really gives you that extra motivation. this is my progress photo:
plus you can see when i lost 50lbs i probably felt the same way but you're just around the corner til you start to see much more dramatic results.1
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