Ideas for helping my mind catch up with my weight loss?

anyWendy

So, I've definitely seen many different people mention (in other threads) the phenomenon of still thinking of myself as being larger than I am.

I'm currently about 190, 35lbs down, with about 40lbs to go (5'8"). Despite being under 200 for weeks now, and nearly into the 180s, I still think of myself as being well over 200.

I know it will take time to adjust, but other than just allowing time to pass, is there anything you've done that has been helpful at aligning your perception closer to reality?

Alatariel75

Have you gone and tried on clothes? I'd head to your nearest upmarket shop (department store for me, less attention from shop assistants) and try on fabulous expensive clothes that wouldn't have fit you at starting weight.

frankiesgirlie

I hope you started this journey by taking photos of yourself. If you didn’t, I highly encourage it. We see ourselves in the mirror everyday so the changes escape us, but taking periodic photos and putting them side by side, there’s no denying the changes. Once a month is good, or in the very least, every 3 months.
The closer you get to your goal, the more the changes will get subtle. It will be even more important then.
Great job on your loss!!

Poisonedpawn78

Recently I have seen a few people taking looks/peeks at me when they think I cant see. My Fat brain was like, what, do I have something on my shirt, face? is something showing that shouldn't be? STOP LOOKING AT ME!!

Is it possible they were just enjoying the view? Naw... Damnit fat brain stop it!!

anyWendy

frankiesgirlie wrote: »

I hope you started this journey by taking photos of yourself. If you didn’t, I highly encourage it. We see ourselves in the mirror everyday so the changes escape us, but taking periodic photos and putting them side by side, there’s no denying the changes. Once a month is good, or in the very least, every 3 months.
The closer you get to your goal, the more the changes will get subtle. It will be even more important then.
Great job on your loss!!

Good point. I did take pics at the beginning, but haven't taken any new photos to compare my progress. I almost think I was waiting to hit my goal, before looking at pics side by side.

Now that you point this out, it seems incredibly obvious, but thank you!

middlehaitch

I was in the mall one day, after just losing 30lbs but not feeling much different, when I saw a woman in the distance walking towards me.
I thought wow that is the body I would like to have. Got closer, it was a reflection of me.

That really helped put my achievement into perspective.

Now I always look at my progress pics without my face. For some reason it takes the me out of it and I can be more objective.

Cheers, h.

anyWendy

Alatariel75 wrote: »

Have you gone and tried on clothes? I'd head to your nearest upmarket shop (department store for me, less attention from shop assistants) and try on fabulous expensive clothes that wouldn't have fit you at starting weight.

I haven't done this yet, but have been able to "shop my closet" from items I saved last time I was a smaller size. Maybe actually trying on items in a store will help. Thanks!

Alatariel75

anyWendy wrote: »

Alatariel75 wrote: »

Have you gone and tried on clothes? I'd head to your nearest upmarket shop (department store for me, less attention from shop assistants) and try on fabulous expensive clothes that wouldn't have fit you at starting weight.

I haven't done this yet, but have been able to "shop my closet" from items I saved last time I was a smaller size. Maybe actually trying on items in a store will help. Thanks!

Yeah, I reckon try on new stuff. The shopping in the closet is fun, but they were already your clothes and don't have as big an impact. You don't have to buy anything (goodness knows, I never do), but its great for perspective, especially if you used to be "plus size" and can now try on stuff in the normal shops.

bbell1985

Progress photos have helped me. But I'm bad at this too, it takes me gaining weight again. I look back and realized I WAS thin.

joeboland

It's not easy, that's for sure. I still struggle with feeling like I look like the guy on the left in my photo.

seashellybob

anyWendy wrote: »

frankiesgirlie wrote: »

I hope you started this journey by taking photos of yourself. If you didn’t, I highly encourage it. We see ourselves in the mirror everyday so the changes escape us, but taking periodic photos and putting them side by side, there’s no denying the changes. Once a month is good, or in the very least, every 3 months.
The closer you get to your goal, the more the changes will get subtle. It will be even more important then.
Great job on your loss!!

Good point. I did take pics at the beginning, but haven't taken any new photos to compare my progress. I almost think I was waiting to hit my goal, before looking at pics side by side.

Now that you point this out, it seems incredibly obvious, but thank you!

I am literally in the same situation as you! Just a wee bit taller at 5'10". I have been under 200 since mid December, about a month now, and I still feel like I did last summer.

Those progress photos help though. I like to do a photo comparison where I put on the same dress or skirt and just see how much difference there is. That helps me to accept that I have put in some hard work.

But I too don't know what will quite get through my head that I'm not the bigger person that I used to be anymore.

pinuplove

Poisonedpawn78 wrote: »

Recently I have seen a few people taking looks/peeks at me when they think I cant see. My Fat brain was like, what, do I have something on my shirt, face? is something showing that shouldn't be? STOP LOOKING AT ME!!

Is it possible they were just enjoying the view? Naw... Damnit fat brain stop it!!

This is so me!

pinuplove

anyWendy wrote: »

So, I've definitely seen many different people mention (in other threads) the phenomenon of still thinking of myself as being larger than I am.

I'm currently about 190, 35lbs down, with about 40lbs to go (5'8"). Despite being under 200 for weeks now, and nearly into the 180s, I still think of myself as being well over 200.

I know it will take time to adjust, but other than just allowing time to pass, is there anything you've done that has been helpful at aligning your perception closer to reality?

In my experience I have to be well settled into maintenance before my brain catches up. I just don't view myself as anything other than fat when I'm still in the process of losing.