Why am I not seeing visual results?

xproofx

My starting weight was 319 lbs in the beginning of June. My current weight as of today is 281 lbs. That's 39 pounds. My clothes feel looser and I have to cinch my belt tighter to keep my pants up but I'm really not seeing any visual reduction, especially in my belly. I'm male, 45, 5'11" if that helps.

I look at other people's progress photos with similar pounds lost and they look like entirely different people.

jemhh

Don't compare yourself to others. That plus having patience are key when losing weight. It just takes time to see a difference in your shape and when you are starting out greatly overweight, it can take a long time. Keep up the good work and stick with it. You'll get there.

jayemes

You also see yourself every day, so you won't notice changes as easily as you will in others. If your clothes are looser and the scale numbers are down, just keep it up. You're heading in the right direction!

tcunbeliever

I don't tend to have dramatic visual changes either, I think it's because my loss is proportional everywhere rather than being concentrated in one place...oh, it would be so nice if everything I lost came off my belly, but that just doesn't seem to be the way it works for me.

39 lbs is still a huge improvement on your health. Take measurements and photos so you can more easily see the changes in a tangible way, and keep on keeping on!!!

Need2Exerc1se

Take pictures. It's hard to see it in the mirror sometimes but pictures may show it.

bhurley100

I know what you mean. To be honest Im pretty sure those before and after photos are taken in a longer period of time than what they claim.

Unfortunately, our body burns fat from whatever parts of our body it does. Just keep doing what you are doing, your body will burn tough belly fat soon enough!! I learned this the hard way. Still trying to work off my belly fat.

tabletop_joe

You got crazy-brains like me, and like most people, so the whole self-perception stuff is foggy at best and dead wrong at worst. You're doing great, and that level of loss is almost certainly evident. You'll start to notice it in other ways soon--you'll catch your reflection when you least expect to and the change will startle you. You'll see your shadow and your silhouette will look slimmer than you feel you are.

Just keep going! The brain will catch up.

MsMaeFlowers

Took me a while to see changes as I lost everywhere except my belly first, which only made it look bigger. Definitely take measurements for now so you can see the changes that way at least.

cwolfman13

xproofx wrote: »

My starting weight was 319 lbs in the beginning of June. My current weight as of today is 281 lbs. That's 39 pounds. My clothes feel looser and I have to cinch my belt tighter to keep my pants up but I'm really not seeing any visual reduction, especially in my belly. I'm male, 45, 5'11" if that helps.

I look at other people's progress photos with similar pounds lost and they look like entirely different people.

For most men, and many women, the belly is primary fat stores, so it's a first on, last off kinda deal.

Also, you look at yourself everyday in the mirror...visual changes are slow and subtle so not very noticeable to your own eye that looks at yourself everyday...this is where progress photos come into play...

work_on_it

And hey! Congrats on 40 pounds! That's frickin awesome! +1 to all the advice here... esp pics and not giving up!!!

AliceDark

Also, keep in mind that it's not just the number of pounds lost but the percentage of your starting weight. You've lost 12% of your starting weight, which is fantastic! However, if you're comparing your 39-pound loss to someone who started at 200 pounds and lost 39 pounds (20% of their starting weight), they may get a bigger visual difference.

jgnatca

Consider also that you may be losing proportionally. If the clothes are fitting looser the evidence is there.

lorrpb

We do not see ourselves accurately. It can take years for the mind to catch up with the body. Keep it going.

WickedPineapple

I agree with taking progress pictures. Also, take measurements.

BrettWithPKU

I agree with those who tell you to take pictures. If you have a picture of yourself 39 pounds ago, take a picture of yourself today and compare the PICTURES (don't compare a picture to yourself in the mirror).

Also: If you're not getting compliments on your weight loss from other people, trust me: You will VERY soon. Just stick with it!

ninerbuff

You see yourself everyday and subtle change isn't noticeable. But you still have a lot of weight to lose. You'll definitely notice when you're closer to goal.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

technicalmeow

Like someone else in this thread said, it might take time for the mind to catch up with the body. Sometimes, literally everyone else around you will see the changes before you do. Fat comes off in layers from all over your body and belly fat is one of the last to go (according to the Internet), so best thing to do is stick with it. 39 pounds is no mean feat, congratulations!

VeronicaA76

Because you see yourself everyday. I suggest take three full body pics of yourself (front, side, back) once a month. Every month place the same pose from the previous month next to the current one....then, you will see the changes.