"When did you start seeing yourself thinner?"

WDA4655

Where do I start...just today we had to go to the mall to have my cell phone looked at and as usual I watched the reflection of John and I as we got to the glass doors. I've notice the change through the months but today is the first time I thought to myself that I look thinner then John! I past him on the down side now for about a month or so now.

In my shoes that I was going to wear to the wedding we just went to. I ended up having to buy new ones because they were to big and my feet don't swell like they use too. Also, the dress I wore to the wedding is the first short dress I've worn in I don't even remember! And I had to take it in before the wedding!

My grandson text me a picture when I was probably at my heaviest 375lbs or around there about a month ago. I was shocked when I saw it. I've posted it with my before and after pictures.

I also see it now because I can cross my legs lady like and I feel comfortable.

Things like sitting in a movie theater sit too. We couldn't go to one of the theaters because I couldn't fit in the seats! Now....NO PROBLEMO!

The car seat I have to pull up instead of back.

I walk so so much faster now and I am constantly having to slow down for my wonderful hubby. I don't feel lazy at all! Don't nap! Don't get tired out!

My brother we visited said my face looks sunk in. I don't know if that is good or not. But he said I look great!

We saw a friend we haven't seen since we moved 3 years ago in a store in NJ and she saw me from a distance and was shouting OMG! You look great! That was a little embarriseing but it did feel good too.

I no long have to use the handy cap toilet stalls and no one says to me you can use them!

I can climb in and out of high step trucks with ease and fit in the back cab comfortably and can get in and out of the back seat of a two door car with ease too!

I've taken my fat cloths in so many times they are out of shape now and I have started to buy smaller sizes most resent size is the 16 jeans! Yah!!!!

I only have two shirts left that are starting to feel a little to loose, that my sister had given me that sat in my closet for a few years before I could fit into them. There was a whole box of cloths. I have had to give them all away.

As it gets colder...not that Florida has a lot of "cold" weather...I realize I don't have a coat! I gave my huge coat away when I cleaned out my closet of most of my fat cloths.

My rings to are worn on the middle fingers so I don't loose them until I can get them re-sized.

If I sat here I could probably think of a number of more things that I have notice that I AM thinner but I'll let someone else have a go at it. lol!!!

I'm glad you keep posting these wonderful posts because they remind us all how far we've come and to those who just have started that they to can and will come down the same path that others have already treaded before.

Thank you Sue, my beautiful girlfriend! :bigsmile:

mzbek24

Sometimes I look in the mirror and I feel like nothing has changed, still have 'fat' days. It certainly has not sunk in that I wear a size 10 in jeans. I had thought it would be one of the most awesome feelings but yeah. Other times, It's like I can't imagine that I was ever that size...and I'll be thinking "Wow I can see my feet" in the shower, and putting my hands on my hips throughout the day, just because I have hips. I think it will take some more time for it to click.

47Jacqueline

As a yo yo dieter, I've always had a body image problem. This final time around, it took about a year to start seeing myself slim. I'll never be skinny, thank god, because I come from easter european stock, but I am athletic looking, which I love.

Anyway, one day I was at a body pump class and the mirror was in front of me. I suddenly saw I had lost my saddlebags and most of the time you couldn't see my bat wings. Then I went into the Gap, and tried on a size 6 in pants and they fit perfectly.

I now have a pair of black boots (see profile) I wear with these skinny black jeans. When I wear them, I feel like I'm 5'10". I know I look really good because guys look at me even though I'm 67.

cbhubbybubble

Great work. Good for you! When I look back at my fat pics I can very much see a difference, but not always when I look in the mirror. Our minds play tricks on us! This is also a good reminder that it has been a long time since I took any pics from the back view. Gotta get on that.

FitOldMomma

Awesome accomplishment!

It was at about 40 pounds lost that I really noticed the difference. My neck and face are much thinner. Sad thing though, lol, is that my face has many more visible wrinkles. Oh well!
Another area that I really noticed is the area right above my bum. I used to have a 'shelf' there when I sat down. Now it's gone, yeah!
My upper stomach area, right under my boobs is much flatter also.
I still have quite a ways to go, but it is encouraging to finally see my hard work showing.

sparklelioness

It hit me hard around 200 lbs, when I'd lost 62... and right now it's hitting me again. I'm at 148 and all my shirts suddenly come down so LOW. Like, they're so long it looks ridiculous. I'm going to have to Goodwill more clothes and go shopping again, but I'm trying to wait til I lose another 10-15. My arms look thin, my waist looks thin. I'm starting to look like one of those Little Petite Girls. It's honestly blowing my mind a little. I was so big for so long... it's nice to feel feminine again. I never felt feminine at a big weight - I know some do but I never did. I love feeling little

cincysweetheart

I could recognize such things as how my clothes were fitting or more especially… my watch. When I tried to buy new clothes, I could fit in sizes 2 sizes smaller than I was wearing at the beginning. I fit into a pair of jeans that (at least by the number on the label) was the same size I wore in high school…. but I never actually SAW a change until I compared a photo of myself to one I had taken 4 month previously. Those two photos are now my profile pic. That actually made me cry!

However…even with all of that… I'm still waiting for the day when I can look at my reflection and see myself as thinner. Just this past weekend I was visiting family (most of whom hadn't seen me in 40-45 pounds) and my weight loss was referred to quite a bit. My sister walked in the room where I was fixing my hair one morning and said something like "isn't great to look in the mirror and see less of yourself?" I told her I was still waiting for that moment. Because although I can see it in the pics… I still can't see it in the mirror (this is with a total loss of 72 pounds… I lost 14 before joining MFP).

IndiaGuerita1983

An MFP friend asked me a good question today, and I thought that this question deserved a post of its own.

My friend said, "No one will answer this for me. When did you start seeing yourself a thinner women? I've lost 72 lbs from 300 and although I can now wear a size 18 pant from a size 28 my mind will not make the connection! When did you see your changes. I know what my numbers say but my mind isn't there. Any thoughts you can give?"

Here is my response:

There were a few special occasions, when I it became very obvious that my body was changing...shrinking.

The first time was, when my under pants would not stay up; and I had to go from size 13 to size 8 panties. That was also about the time that I looked in the wall mirror and suddenly realized that I could see my pubic mound for the first time in more than 20 years. My belly had been hanging over that area for so long.

When I finally found the courage to have my hubbie Ed photograph me in my swimsuit, I was shocked by my fat body. I had not been able to see what I actually looked like from the back until then. The follow up pictures gave me the chance to SEE how my body was changing. That's why I encourage folks to take those hard to look at fat photos. They are a God sent in the future to help encourage you.

Here are a couple of my comparison photos that would not have been possible, if I had not allowed myself to be photographed at a much heavier weight. Photos like these help me to see myself honestly...and also see the changes better.







The recent eye opener for me was, when I suddenly noticed in bathroom mirror that my neck was really thin; and my shoulders had narrowed...a lot. In fact, I looked like my Mom!!! That was the first time that I saw my tiny Mom in me. I looked more like my Dad's side of the family, folks who were overweight and had double chins, rounded shoulders and fat pads on their upper back.

Now that my face, neck and shoulders had lost all the excess fat, I could see the shape of my Mom's 'beautiful features' in me. That was the first time that I really liked how I looked in the mirror. Because of my age, I do have some hanging skin on my neck, but I really liked what I see now...a thinner Sue and the reflection of my Mom.

The most recent revelation of change is kind of silly, but I noticed it. My belly used to be enormous and hung over my thighs. My belly button was a huge 'innie'.

To avoid infection in that area, I had to clean and dry that deep hole in my belly with a Q-tip after my showers. About a month ago, I went to clean my innie; and the Q-tip would not go IN. The bottom of my innie is now on the surface on my belly...no longer a deep hole in thick layer of fat.

Sometimes, it isn't the difference in clothing sizes that give you a big revelation about the changes in your body. It is often 'a small change' in how you see yourself...a change that other people might never see or understand.

*****

So, how about you. When did you start seeing yourself thinner?

Your before and after pictures are just amazing!!

I have gone from 279 pounds (my highest recorded weight) to 180 in almost two years. I have a very muscular body type and so I am battling the scale to lose these last 20 pounds until I reach my goal of 160. I don't think I will ever feel "skinny" because of how muscular my body is.

I notice in many ways the differences of life at 279 pounds versus life at 180 pounds:

*For one, I am no longer the "fat, kind of cute girl, who could be REALLY pretty if she would just 'take care of herself' and lose a measly 100 pounds".
* My stomach doesn't touch my steering wheel anymore.
*My wedding ring spins on my finger.
*I can't stuff myself with treats at family gatherings and only eat a few bites of my favorite foods.
*I take care of my hygiene better and I don't spend as much time in the mirror worrying about what people will think of my fat rolls. I also make sure I get out of my gym clothes and into something a little more feminine once in awhile. (I am not a very girly-girl by nature.)
*I don't worry if I can fit through cramped spaces anymore...I just barrel through - confident that I won't knock anything off the table with my rear end.
*My joints don't hurt anymore.
*My blood pressure is down.
*I don't take any pills anymore for diabetes, depression, anxiety, blood pressure or weight loss.
*People who I haven't seen in years literally do a double-take and sometimes don't even recognize me.
*People come to me for fitness advice.
*Friends and family have been inspired by me and have lost weight.
*I wear a medium shirt and size 12-14 pants instead of a 3x shirt and 26w pants.
*My self-esteem is through the roof.
*I've accepted my stretch marks from having three children and I know that my stomach will never be washboard thin...although I will never keep trying to achieve that goal.

I will never be thin or skinny. But, I've come to terms with that. I would rather be fit and muscular.

Great post.

-India

marcus1013

I noticed when I started getting compliments from wifey!!
I was about 20 - 30 pounds down...
That was really motivating....

happypenguin13

Personally, I haven't had that experience yet, but I can't wait to have it. Hearing all of your stories is so motivating! Congrats OP you look fabulous!

ValGogo

when I started lifting.

verptwerp

Saw changes right away, both in the mirror and in my clothing ...... never said anything to anyone ....... it took losing 25 pounds before anyone verbalized it ......

I was excited to see the weight coming off ...... excited to buy smaller-size clothing & donate the larger-size clothes .....

I went to the gym nearly every day to do cardio, weights, Zumba, and yoga ......

And I was happy to hear nice comments !

But ...... it's been a few years now since I lost & kept off that 40 pounds ....... really need to buckle down & get rid of those last 10 pounds ....... just to satisfy myself ..... and the doctor

Keep on truckin' !

Kate7294

Like so many other posters I don't see it in the mirror. One of the reasons I'm terrible trying to take selfies. LOL
Though I do feel it in my clothes and even see it in the form of my muscle tone. Recently holding my 3 yr. olds hands to pulling her back in forth in the pool I can't get over how muscular my arms look.


Another great post by the way.

HerbertNenenger

I'm still waiting. I need therapy.

zyxst

Not so far. I'm still fat, just not 320# fat.

zyxst

I'm still waiting. I need therapy.

We can go together and save money on gas.

iamuniqueiam

I'm 102 pounds down now and I don't see it when I look in a mirror. Every once in a while I'll catch my reflection in something and I'll notice it then, but staring in a mirror.....I still look/feel huge. I keep hoping the mind will catch up to the body soon....

tzdani

To be honest, I'm struggling with where I am. While I've lost a significant amount of weight, get compliments practically every time I go into the office and am getting close to my goal, I don't actually feel different. I had the opposite problem of most people... I didn't really feel as big as I was. And now, even under my "most of my life weight" of 160, I wouldn't say that I feel thin. I'm shocked at some of the sizes I'm having to buy (I don't remember being an 8 since I was in high school and am certainly not at that weight - sizes are getting bigger to make us feel thinner, but I'm not buying it!) and the other day, two dresses that I bought I felt made me look thin, but until I find a way to get rid of the belly...

Weird thing is... I never wanted to be skinny. Guess I got my wish! lol So... not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I mean, if I didn't hate myself before and don't hate myself now, what's changed? Other than being obsessed with calories and exercise?

ememelle

I've lost and gained and lost a few times, but I think one of the earliest things I noticed was my hipbones. I was laying on the couch with my laptop on my stomach and realized it was resting on my hipbones instead of the fat on my stomach.

JeriAnne84

I don't see myself as smaller. I've even taken pictures and I can see it in my forearms, face, butt, and a bit in my thighs but that's it. I don't feel smaller by any means. But Saturday, we had the funeral for an officer that was killed in the line of duty and I saw a lot of my old co-workers there. They said I looked very trim and thinner. I had one girl I worked with that was constantly on fad diets call me a b*tch for losing weight. lol she said it jokingly and told me she is proud of me. I guess since I haven't dropped a pant size, I'm in between an 18 and a 16 (why can't they make 17s?) I figured I'm not any smaller. But I did just order a large shirt instead of an XL because I'm starting to swim in XL shirts. I'm just back and forth I guess. lol

gopgirl425

Love this post!!

I want to congratulate all of you for your amazing accomplishments!!

I noticed when I could feel my collar bone and when I was sitting in a hot bath relaxing one night I could feel my butt bone on the bottom of the tub.

zcb94

Doctor says I've finally lost about 20 lbs but I never noticed anything different (looks, feeling better, etc.) until this afternoon, when I was told that I lost 6 of those 20 lbs. Now I feel significantly lighter and think I look a little bit smaller than before. Of course, I'll have to compare and take one more measurement tonight, but this is a huge start!

Val8less

Congratulations on your weight loss!...You are awesome...and Thanks so much for sharing those Pics...IMHO...Pics never lie....It can go both ways...the Pictures show us when we have Gained the weight....:sad:
BUT Pictures can also show us our SUCCESS in this weight loss journey....:drinker: .....Keep us updated....

beamer0821

OP you have such a great attitude and spirit!

i remember when i first dropped down a full size i really felt great. and that was at about 30 or 35 lbs down. now that I'm at 50 lbs down i don't really feel any different i almost feel like the good feelings of the weightloss have faded and back to "old overweight" me again. when i hit 50 lbs it was almost anticlimactic as i didnt feel any different. this could also be due to maintaining my weight all summer when I've been trying to continue to lose.

i'll get there but it is definitely a work in progress and constant reminder of how far I've come