I'm amazed 45 pounds down and I still feel just as fat
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I know exactly what you mean. Literally every person that has seen me since last year remarks that I'm getting "too skinny" but all I see when I look in the mirror is the same fat kid I've always been. I still see my belly and though everything is definitely smaller, I still see it all.
I don't know if it ever goes away. I've read people on here who have lost over 100 pounds and they still see themselves how they used to be. It just takes time, literal years. Just focus on your progress and remember that you're awesome simply because you're you.0 -
Look down at my counter... I still see the fat girl, and I'm down to a size 2.0
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Losing weight is such a mental battle... I've just started to realize that I look much better and it's been 3 yrs in the making! Just keep up the good work and your mind will eventually catch up! I agree with the picture thing... I saw some pictures of me recently from 2008 and was like 'Wow! Do I look different now?'0
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I know exactly what you mean!! At my kickboxing classes when I am skipping I can see all of my fat bounce up and down... it disgusts me! But you have to turn this disgust into positive energy and just work harder
Measurements help me... When I put that measuring tape around my waist and it is 2 or 3 inches smaller than when I started I can't believe it and it makes me feel better. 0 -
I know exactly what you mean. But you are now at the point where someone is going to be commenting on your weight loss every 10 lbs. 10 lbs goes at lot further the lower you get. I do agree though, that feeling better, and better overall health is the ultimate goal. Looking great is just a wonderful side effect. All your efforts are well worth it. You're doing great.0
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Definitely can relate. I have only lost 23 pounds so far, so maybe there ISN'T a big difference, but when I look in the mirror, I see the same thing as when I started this. I know I have dropped a size in jeans, and am about to drop another, but....I still think I look the same.
Something happened last night though that caught me off guard. A friend took a picture of me without my being aware (we were having a sing along with friends lol) and she posted it on FaceBook without me knowing. Well, I came across it later and for the first time in a long long time, I thought I looked more like a "normal" person than a "fat girl". Still have a looong way to go, but I do think our heads will catch up with what our bodies are really starting to look like. Keep it up!!!
:flowerforyou:
This. A thousand times over. Took the words right out of my mouth.
Also, thanks Alienrite for the gem about keeping a pair of pants from one's heaviest weight. Never would have thought of that. It's brilliant!!0 -
nahhh your not whacked, 160lbs here and I didn't really notice a thing untill about 100lbs in. The clothes getting smaller wasn't really enough for me cause I still wore them it was just a bit baggy. Its when I started to get compliments and I changed my entire wardrobe I began to notice and liked it so much I couldn't stop. So I would say keep at it, your eyes will play tricks on you because even though there is a loss its still not the reflection you desire so you see nothing. Just keep at it and dont stop!!!
Cheers,
Tof0 -
I feel exactly the same way. I have lost almost 50 lbs (49.6) and I am still wearing size 12 pants (getting looser), when I started out in (an admittedly tight) size 16. That lower belly pooch hasn't caught up with the rest of my body's weight loss. Granted, I am ECSTATIC to have shirts button over my chest with ease and having to wear belts to keep my jeans up, but I still see that belly and feel like I haven't lost anything. Last weekend I saw a friend who hasn't seen me since I started losing back in July, and he couldn't stop saying that I looked great. I know other people see it, I just haven't quite gotten there yet.
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Find an activity, that you were having problems with before. Maybe a flight of stairs that kicked your *kitten* all the time. Try it now, revel in the EASE of taking that flight of stairs or find a chair with arms you were unwilling/unable to squeeze in before and know how much you've changed.
That will help you even more than pictures, belt holes, or numbers on a scale.
The day before I joined this site, I went to a Patriots game and getting to my seats on the top level of the Stadium made me want to die. Just walking up ramps. This past July I ran a 10K that ended in Gillette Stadium and I ran the @#$% out of those ramps before coming out of the giant inflatable Patriots helmet and across the the 50 yard line to finish the race. I cannot convey the feeling of TRIMUPH I felt.
This past september I did the electric run at Gillette and I didn't know we'd have to finish in the stadium running the ramps but I was hollering and whooping the entire time and the people around me must have thought I was out of my flipping mind.
Now THAT is inspirational!
Thanks! I will be doing that race every year (It's always on July 3rd) until I die or can't manage to run for whatever reason...0 -
I think our minds hold us hostage... So think about it in reverse... Over the past 4 years I have gained 65lbs... I looked at myself in the mirror every day but NEVER saw the heavier and heavier me. I still saw the skinner me even though I had to buy bigger clothes was losing energy and tired all the time and getting depressed I was still that skinner me?? It wasn't until one day I saw a picture of myself I literally had to look twice at is it because I truly didn't know that was me I thought it was someone else??? It was my husband in the picture but who was that women with him??? I was FLOORED!! I think our minds reflect what we feel based on our self esteem and not the actual image. Weight Loss/Gain is emotional not just physical. I truly believed I was still skinny so my mind just agreed .... You are losing weight, the scale, your clothes, your energy levels and appearance all know you have lost the weight but you still see yourself as the fat girl. The struggle is with your mind, once you start feeling better about yourself you too will begin to see the amazing deserving women who conquered 45lbs. You got this!!!0
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I think everyone has fat days/ skinny days. It takes a long time to get over the mental damage as much as the physical damage. I looked at myself every day in the mirror and talked down to that image and I know that does effect a person just as much as someone else saying nasty things. I would recommend really focusing on each of the positives that you've accomplished. Tell yourself you're doing great, look great, and are getting better each day.
So true our mental outlook has ALOT to do with what you see and how you feel...it takes time to realize hey, I lost weight and I accomplished a lot especially if u don't get much support from family and friends its easy to stall in the fat state of mind.0 -
I feel the same way. It takes a long time for the brain to catch up to the body. Until that happens I will keep doing what i'm doing and try to stop the negative self talk until my stupid brain catches up 0
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Lost nearly 100 in total, Half of that on here since logging and I still feel fat. You will never be happy tbh even when it's nearly all gone. I suppose if you have been fat most of your life and unhappy for most of that time with being fat then mentally it's going to be tough to accept you might be just carrying a few extra pounds rather than being obese so you will always see yourself as fat.0
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I can pick out individual differences. My face is definitely thinner. My clothes are smaller. I have some great muscles going on underneath it all. I can feel my ribs without any effort but even with all that, when I look at myself and get the full picture, I don't feel any different.
It seems pretty whacked in my head.
Granted, at 197, I still am obese, I still have a ways to go but I feel like I should feel different.
So the game plan, keep working, keep pushing, keep on keeping on and hopefully my head can catch up with the changes in my body. Anyone else experience this?
It's because you're still you. Just a smaller version of you.0 -
I can pick out individual differences. My face is definitely thinner. My clothes are smaller. I have some great muscles going on underneath it all. I can feel my ribs without any effort but even with all that, when I look at myself and get the full picture, I don't feel any different.
It seems pretty whacked in my head.
Granted, at 197, I still am obese, I still have a ways to go but I feel like I should feel different.
So the game plan, keep working, keep pushing, keep on keeping on and hopefully my head can catch up with the changes in my body. Anyone else experience this?
same here!! 30lbs down, but I still have a long way to go, and I cant see or feel changes.0 -
I can pick out individual differences. My face is definitely thinner. My clothes are smaller. I have some great muscles going on underneath it all. I can feel my ribs without any effort but even with all that, when I look at myself and get the full picture, I don't feel any different.
It seems pretty whacked in my head.
Granted, at 197, I still am obese, I still have a ways to go but I feel like I should feel different.
So the game plan, keep working, keep pushing, keep on keeping on and hopefully my head can catch up with the changes in my body. Anyone else experience this?
I am feeling the EXACT same way... I went from 183lbs down to 133lbs -> Was SOOOOOO EXCITED to have lost 50lbs... but then looking in the mirror I still felt really fat. I got really down on myself and "gave up" -- gained back about 10lbs... I am trying to get those 10lbs off. I am now 3.8lbs away from being back at my 50lbs weight loss mark. Its very frustrating because I know I have lost a huge amount of weight and feel so much better than I did -- but I still look at myself and feel fat or "thicker" than ever. Why is that?? It's very hard to keep motivated too... But I am vowing to work my butt off - I'm not falling off that stinking horse again! I do not ever want to see those numbers again... I am exactly where I should be in my height/weight range for a healthy BMI.0 -
I read an article where the person had dropped a good deal of weight (100+ pounds). Pretty much the whole article was about how with a lifestyle change and the results you have to focus not just on the physical but also work on the mental aspect of your new life.0
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I've lost around 130 pounds and sometimes feel like that. What I suggest is keeping so e of your bigger clothes and trying them on to physically show you how far you've come.
I think this is a great idea! more fun than even just pics!!0 -
I have had days where I have felt like that but the thing that has helped me the most are my weekly pictures. Every Monday I weigh in and I take a picture of myself in the mirror. Whenever I am doubting about there being a significant visual difference, I open up my phone and compare the first picture I took back in May 2013, with my most current one. That's when it comes together and I pat myself on the head and tell myself "Good Job, it's working".0
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I think most people suffer from at least mild body dis-morphia. There are days when I get changed 6 or 7 times because I feel uncomfortable in my skin. This may not help but at least you know you're not alone!0
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I have had days where I have felt like that but the thing that has helped me the most are my weekly pictures. Every Monday I weigh in and I take a picture of myself in the mirror. Whenever I am doubting about there being a significant visual difference, I open up my phone and compare the first picture I took back in May 2013, with my most current one. That's when it comes together and I pat myself on the head and tell myself "Good Job, it's working".
I did something similar to this - I have taken "progress" pics every 1-2 months (my profile pic is the most recent one). I do one picture in sporty underwear and one in "feel good" underwear and compare my progress over the long game. This really helps me see the changes.0 -
Hiya, I don't usually take part on the forum here but I wanted to commend you for keeping at it. You've done a LOT of good. As a lifetimer from WW since 1985, I've heard a lot of stories, whether up or down, and I can say the first 10% that you get off makes probably the biggest difference in *health.* A lot of people can't see that but if they started out with solid stats like blood sugar or BP, cholesterol info or how they took meds, it's a really big change that happens right there -- for everybody (with those specifics to go by). But if you didn't have them, I can see where you don't feel that different.
I'm assuming that you have lost more than 10%, so you've already passed this point!
It's a drag to not have that celebration but getting smaller is ... fun! If you don't already, I strongly suggest taking tape measurements. The scale is so easy and quick for feedback but it's crappy feedback. It's not telling you about your blood sugars or cholesterol. Tape measures don't either but I'd rather be tinier and heavier than fluffier and lighter any day.
And I mean that.
I've weighed the same at a size 4 or a size 10 that I couldn't button, same brand. Same weight. I also really like that my cholesterol was excellent
It's really worth it for your health. Also, I think most women have a little body dysmorphia going on -- I do. It may be worth looking into because understanding it's an issue is one thing. Working on it is another. I've worked on it and it still affects me but I can look back at it and go, 'Okay. This is my brain not being helpful here.' Rather than continue bashing myself.0 -
I can relate and I actually get confirmation at work that my 26 pounds lost is noticeable but I still see the fat girl in the mirror. I'm not taking note of the changes in my hips, my legs, even my stomach but rather I focus on how my arms haven't changed much despite my hard work on them. I can even see the "guns" I'm getting but still see too much flab.
I'd lost 50 pounds over 5 years ago and know that my mind did start to catch up with my body. Unfortunately, I gained it back, plus a little. I'm back down 26 of those. I'd also suggest doing what I just recently started tracking, take your measurements. Hard numbers and seeing them go down helps get the mind in line with the changes of your body.
You can do it! Keep working hard, keep losing and you'll reach your goal. Your mind will catch up to you.0 -
I understand how you feel. I use to be some years ago 240 lbs and it can be hard to see your self skinner you still have that mind set. Just keep up the good work. I have a ? I'm 210 now i have gain 30 lbs since last summer. How did you start losing your weight i have a terrible time writing things down.0
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Whenever I feel like this, I look through my old pictures on my facebook profile and realize when I compare myself now to me in those old photos, I look good! Granted I have a long way to go yet but still, I've come so far from the old me.0
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Yep, I can relate. From what I read, it's pretty common, too. I'm almost at goal and sometimes I'll see a morbidly obese woman and feel like I still look like that. My head is slowly catching up though. The problem is that, neurologically, our brains still perceive us at our usual size, and it takes a while for it to rewire and adjust to the new size.
Also, If you have excess skin, like me, and maybe a post-baby pooch that just won't budge, it makes it harder to see yourself as thinner. One thing I've found that helps is shapewear to hold in and smooth out all of that. I get corset style under-the-bra vests that you have to fasten all the way down your tummy with hook and eye closures. They are hard to put on at first, but they stretch a little and you get used to it quickly, and they cinch the waist and let your hips out a little to give an hourglass appearance. The other shapewear flattens the hips, IMO, and I don't like the way they look.
I feel like I look much better and thinner in them, and they help my posture and perk up my chest some too. They should be difficult to squeeze on but not roll up, by the way. That means you've got the right size.
They're hard to find, unfortunately. I tried online but they are expensive. I've found mine at various discount stores, like Burlington coat factory outlet, and I have to dig, dig, dig through thousands of pieces of lingerie and shapewear!
Anyway, hope that helps.0 -
I can definetly relate! I have lost 17lbs. I feel like an over weight whale today. I looked in the mirror, my pants fit that didn't before and my shirt is baggy on me. But that doesn't mean anything to my brain. I feel like i haven't lost any weight.0
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Thank you everyone for the thoughtful and insightful replies.
Just got back from work and I had a good experience of seeing myself in a floor length mirror and at that moment, I could really see the difference. I realize that loving the person I'm becoming is part of this, so I'll keep working on that too. In the meantime, I'll pick out today's workout, plan out a healthy dinner and enjoy the rest of the day. Thanks again. 0 -
My head isn't caught up to my loss often either. I'm down 155 now too.
Idk if anyone mentioned it but let the tape measure be your friend! By
keeping track of those digits rather than the scale .? your mind might
have an easier transition into excepting your accomplishment!
Keep doing great .. your body is happier! 0 -
At times my head still sees me not only at my heaviest but heavier. At other times it sees me as a heavy but not the fattest person around. At still other times I actually feel cute and sassy. Part of it is what tape is playing in my head and as well as the clothes I am wearing. I know this sounds vain but so be it, I have found when I am wearing clothes that are too big or not flattering I feel fatter that when I am wearing clothes that are fitting properly and are flattering.0
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