Losing weight, but can't seem to appreciate the results

aripley

I've been losing weight slowly but surely for the past 2+ years, and in total I'm 30 pounds down from where I started, with 10 more to go to reach my goal. Lately I've been pretty consistent with logging, and the weight has been coming off fairly quickly. But when I look in the mirror, I can't seem to see the progress! Sometimes I even imagine that I look bigger than I did a few weeks ago, despite having lost weight!

Today I was shopping for clothes at Target and it took forever, because I initially tried on all size large or XL clothes. When I realized everything was way too big, I had to go back out of the dressing room and get mediums of everything (and even one small!!!). This isn't the first time this has happened, so I know I'm a medium in most clothes now--but when I'm standing there looking at the clothes, the large just looks like the right size to fit my body. It's only once I put it on that I realize it's too baggy. I feel like I don't know my own body anymore!

It makes me sad that I can't see how different I look. What's the point of even doing this if I can't give myself credit for all my hard work?

Has anyone else had this experience?

Heather4448

Yep. I'm far more critical of my body now with 80 pounds less of me. Our brains can be real jerks.

PrincessMel72

I get it. The mind plays tricks on you. What I've found helps is taking measurements. You can see real progress that way and it helps to let your mind know that you are SMALLER

marelthu

I did the last time I lost weight (about 8 years ago on Weight Watchers). I lost 40 lbs and I looked great but I couldn't see it in myself for some reason. Very weird. I would go into a regular-sized clothing store and think "I have no right being in here." Not sure what the secret is. Just be very proud of yourself, remind yourself how well you've done. Maybe the weight loss is so gradual that you can't notice it anymore. But don't forget what a great success you've been and will continue to be.

88olds

If you had known me when, you'd realize how unlikely this story is. I've lost a bit over 100 lbs. Let's not mince words, I was a fat slob. After losing 20 lbs, I went out and rewarded myself with a new suit. Big change. I liked this a lot.

I lost some more, went and bought 3 new suits. Kept losing. What I found was I could buy a suit, lose 10 more lbs, get some alterations to keep a good fit, but when I lost 10 more, that suit was done. My tailor was always glad to see me. But having clothes that fits was a big deal. I became the office fashion plate.

Why am I telling you this? I think what you are struggling with seems hard, because it is. This whole clothes thing was a total surprise to me. But after I got to where I wanted at about 180 lbs, I spent years getting rid of clothes that didn't fit.

It wasn't that I was hedging my bets against gaining it back. I'd go on clothes purges and just end up exhausted and confused. Last winter I finally ditched a sweater that I've had for years. I put it on, I was obviously swimming in it. What was I thinking? Keep working. What you're dealing with isn't easy. At least not for me. Good luck.

lorrpb

Congrats on your loss! Have you taken progress pics &measurements? Look at those over & over. Our brains need LOTS of retraining. We are our own worst judge in the mirror, If you don't have official progress pics, take some now and compare them to older candid pics you have. Go back and try on some of those older clothes you were wearing in those pics and then take new pics in those same clothes! You might be shocked!
I've been in maintenance 6 mo. and still can't believe it's me in the pics. Some days I feel skinny and other days fat, but I don't stress about it. I know I look, feel, & function better and LOVE it!

Theo166

While 30 lbs is significant, your mind won't see it if it's spread over two years.

Start taking monthly measurements, you are more likely to then see the changes. Focus on your wins, like you had to buy Med sized clothing. Relish in the accomplishment.

Rocknut53

I don't really know how to answer "What's the point of even doing this if I can't give myself credit for all my hard work?" My first time losing significant weight was on MFP 4 years ago. I felt the same way. I couldn't see any improvement after losing 28 pounds which was half way to my goal. So, I quit and gained most of it back. At that point my weight was affecting my health so I knew I had to get it figured out. I started again January 2016 with renewed determination to succeed. I refused to see that fat woman in the mirror. There were days when I still felt fat, but the weight kept coming off. Now, for the first time in almost 40 years, I am that slim person I always wanted to be, and I see her in the mirror. I enjoy shopping and trying on clothes, a first for me. Hang in there and know that there's a slimmer you lurking in the mirror and waiting for you to acknowledge her presence. Enjoy those smaller clothes, get rid of your big ones, you won't need them again.

sarahbetherck

I get that. I'm always grabbing larger sizes at stores. Sizes I haven't worn in YEARS. I've even put my own jeans away in my teenage daughter's drawers because they looked "too small" to be mine so I assumed they were hers. And I'm a size 10, that's not tiny... it looks tiny to me though.
But I see it in photos and in how people respond to me now so even when I don't see it, I know it's working.

Slimmersixties

Can totally relate. I ve lost 40lb in the last 6 months, still have a way to go ...... and last month I ordered 6 new tee shirts .... all of which are a good 2 sizes too big! I also look at my jeans and can't believe they fit me. I ve got smaller clothes from a previous weight loss ... never convinced they ll fit but amazingly they do. Not sure what my head thinks when I look in the mirror .... its like reverse anerexia ... I still see a fat person!