Question About Seeing Your Body for What it is...?

tatelynx
tatelynx Posts: 6
in Motivation and Support
(x-posted from chitchat, fun and games) This is a weird topic, but I wanted to see how others felt. Now that I've started trying to maintain a healthier lifestyle I feel much better about myself. Here's my deal...when I look at myself in the mirror I think, "Hmm, I'm getting a little thinner. I look great"

Now, over the weekend a few pictures were taken of me after a race and I look MUCH more overweight in comparison to my "self" image in the mirror. Is this all just mind games, or what do you think is going on here?

Replies

  • Unknown
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  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I still feel fat. Everyone's telling me I look great and don't need to lose more weight, but I'm not seeing it (plus really, I still have a few rolls). I caught myself in the mirror at the restaurant the other day and found that I looked pretty good, but in the mirrors at home I just see fat. I haven't seen pictures of myself yet, so I can't comment on that.
  • duckiec
    duckiec Posts: 241 Member
    Related, but on the other side, sorta- when I was almost 50lbs bigger, I didn't think I was "that big" until I saw photos, and I was like WOAH what happened there?

    But now that I've lost that, I still see the exact. same. thing. in the mirror. Same trouble spots, same shape, etc. And when I look at photos now, I can see a little improvement, but not a significant one. When I pull out and try on my current size pants, every time I'm like "no way will that size fit me!" When it does, I'm shocked, and I think to myself "well someone wearing that size can't be as huge as I think I am..." but that still doesn't stop me from thinking it. I seriously wonder if I will ever SEE what others see, or if, no matter what work I do, it will always be this constant "chatter" in my head questioning it.
  • tatelynx
    tatelynx Posts: 6
    It was just crazy to me that the way I saw myself in the mirror was so different that the photos that were taken. It was shocking, and a bit discouraging. Someone in another thread suggested I begin taking progress pics. Hopefully that will help me out :)
  • tatelynx
    tatelynx Posts: 6
    I'm glad I'm not the only one with these feelings. That's really why I asked.
  • Unknown
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  • MerryAlice
    MerryAlice Posts: 1 Member
    I hate seeing myself in photos...that being said, I don't look at myself much in mirrors either. I wish my mind and my body would agree on what I should look like. I exercise a lot but still have about 35 pounds to lose to be in the high end of my weight range. Being close to 50 does not help either... If I can just get my mind right, I think my body will follow...any ideas ??
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    I'm fat. I'm fat in mirrors, pictures, and looking at what I can see of myself. All that's changed is that I'm a smaller version of how I looked at 313#. Mentally, I'm fat as well.
  • footiechick82
    footiechick82 Posts: 1,203 Member
    I look at myself in pictures and I'm like 'DAMN! That's me!!!" I look freakin' amazing..

    When I look at myself in the mirror everyday I think "OMG, wtf? I haven't gotten anywhere!!!!"

    I have actually been like that all week. I have had a really hard time giving myself any credit becasue I've been bloated. I'm in hopes that this goes away and my brain starts to realize how amazing I actually do look because I have a hell of a halloween costume to pull off this Saturday!

    I'm in the same boat, only the opposite. I see pics - wow... I see the mirror I'm like - FFS!
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    I can relate to this. Sometimes, when I've not been working out for awhile, I feel gross and fat. It really only takes 1-2 trips to the gym to make me feel better about myself when I look in the mirror. I don't think it's about actually looking better but just feeling better, more optimistic, on track etc. that makes me see myself better. Being aware that I haven't actually made an overnight transformation is important, but I also think the confidence bump is a good thing for motivating me!
  • chrissyKar
    chrissyKar Posts: 98 Member
    You are probably doing better then you think , our minds are very powerful. Don't worry too much about photos they can catch a bad angle, also be careful not to get too caught up to lose too much weight. Figure out what suits your body type and celebrate that! You look young and healthy and gorgeous in your photo :) When I was slim in my 20's I thought I was fat but I was normal, just poor body image ! Now I am overweight I am still happier with my body more than ever before. But I need to work on it and change a lot. I have18kg to lose! Only on day 5. I aam a yoyo all my life but sick of it . The Human body is truly beautiful , I did a life drawing class and it was wonderful , everyone is beautiful in their own way :) imagine if we all were nude! Many shapes, sizes, even when at healthy weights. Find what's best for you , you will figure it out :)

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