Pictures: So Upset

lessertess

My overall goal is to loose between 103-115 pounds. Since January I've dropped almost 50 pounds and I feel great. People are constantly telling me how good I look. The thing is, when you've lost 50 pounds you feel skinny. Honestly most of the time I feel like I'm slim and trim. I'm wearing smaller sized clothing and have tons more energy than I've ever had. The reality of the situation is that I am still more than 50 pounds overweight at 5'4". By all health factors I'm still obese.

Over the weekend I attended a company picnic. It was HOT outside and I was able to get into some old size 14 shorts (in fact they were a little large) so I decided to wear them. I felt pretty good all day. I didn't over eat and I walked alot and I'm no longer wearing a size 20.

Contrary to most women (who think of themselves as bigger than they really are) I've always thought of myself as smaller than I am. I think that's how I gained so much weight, I just didn't see it when I looked in the mirror. (apparently I still don't) There were a ton of pictures taken at the picnic and I just saw some pictures of myself and I look awful! That 50-60 pounds that I still need to loose is VERY EVIDENT. I've been working out so hard and there is very clear muscle ton in my arms and legs but in the pictures all you see is flab. OMG, I am so embarassed. I honestly thought I was looking good and now it seems that people are just trying to be kind and encouraging.

I know I should focus on the positive and how far I've come. But right now, all I can see are those pictures and how far I have to go. No real point to the vent. I just needed to get it off my chest. I'm not giving up and I'm heading out to the gym in another hour for my Monday work-out but I feel crappy!

lessertess

My overall goal is to loose between 103-115 pounds. Since January I've dropped almost 50 pounds and I feel great. People are constantly telling me how good I look. The thing is, when you've lost 50 pounds you feel skinny. Honestly most of the time I feel like I'm slim and trim. I'm wearing smaller sized clothing and have tons more energy than I've ever had. The reality of the situation is that I am still more than 50 pounds overweight at 5'4". By all health factors I'm still obese.

Over the weekend I attended a company picnic. It was HOT outside and I was able to get into some old size 14 shorts (in fact they were a little large) so I decided to wear them. I felt pretty good all day. I didn't over eat and I walked alot and I'm no longer wearing a size 20.

Contrary to most women (who think of themselves as bigger than they really are) I've always thought of myself as smaller than I am. I think that's how I gained so much weight, I just didn't see it when I looked in the mirror. (apparently I still don't) There were a ton of pictures taken at the picnic and I just saw some pictures of myself and I look awful! That 50-60 pounds that I still need to loose is VERY EVIDENT. I've been working out so hard and there is very clear muscle ton in my arms and legs but in the pictures all you see is flab. OMG, I am so embarassed. I honestly thought I was looking good and now it seems that people are just trying to be kind and encouraging.

I know I should focus on the positive and how far I've come. But right now, all I can see are those pictures and how far I have to go. No real point to the vent. I just needed to get it off my chest. I'm not giving up and I'm heading out to the gym in another hour for my Monday work-out but I feel crappy!

laurenk182004

I am sure that u look great! Don't be upset by a few pictures that u don't like...maybe it was a bad angle! They have pics in tabloids where even jennifer love hewitt looks fat! lol You have done so wonderful to have lost that much weight, be proud of what u've accomplished and throw the pics in the trash if they make u feel bad!

ErinRNinMaine

Hey, 50 lbs is NOTHING to sneeze at!! That is 50 lbs less stress on your heart and joints. That's 50 lbs less to contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and not to mention self-esteem!! Cameras suck. That's the bottom line-it's true they make you look bigger and like lauren said, you get caught in bad angles...well forget it. Even the skinniest person can look big. You should be proud of your weight loss...there are lots of people out there who don't even make an effort! You also sound very self-confident. Good for you! You wear what makes you comfortable and that's awsome. Keep being you, keep plugging away, and pretty soon you will start to really like what you see in photos. I PROMISE!!

CyclingDiva

aaawww you make me sad! :frown:
I hope your able to get past this and move on because it takes a lot to lose 50lbs.
and you have done it. Your next 50 lb lose is right around the corner.
Keep moving forward...
Kel~ :flowerforyou:

Fab140

I feel you on the thinking you're trimmer than you are! I honestly think I'm a size six in my head (which at 5'8, would be pretty amazing!) though I'm a size 14. I see photos and I'm like are you freaking kidding me!!!!

Deal with the why these pictures are messing with your head, then focus on the the great parts of the photos. (If you have to, get a picture of when you were 6 sizes larger and put them side-by-side!) Look at the confidence with which you stand or the sparkle in your eyes or how awesome your legs are looking with all of the workouts!!

After you've had time to focus and really see the pictures, get them out of your head and remeber how awesome you've done!! 50 pounds! wow!!! I'm intimidated by the 32 pounds I have to go!!!

You truely are an inspiration, and think of this as a speed bump in life, not a road block:bigsmile:

O, and if you need further convincing of how awesome you undoubtedly look, tape the new picture up next to an old, far heavier picture of yourself. That should be a great reminder of how far you have come!!!

:flowerforyou:
M.

shorerider

I know exactly how you feel!

I was a little upset because no one has noticed I've lost 33 pounds but then I realized that last year this time, I weighed almost what I do now (gained a lot over the last year), so to them, I probably look very much the same.

I've also always thought of myself as not "that big" because I was always somewhat active and felt pretty good--until the last year that is, when my diabetes went out of control, I started having vision problems, and I found it difficult to do even the littlest things anymore.

So, I've lost 33 pounds, and got at least 107 more to go but I'll get there!

Just now you're not alone in this--there's plenty of us out there who are flowers waiting to bloom! Next year this time, you'll be blowing them away at events with the "new" you!

:flowerforyou:

kellch

50lbs!!!! That is awesome. Have you held these pics up to the old pics? I'm sure you see a huge difference. I mean I see a difference and I've only lost 22 lbs. I still have that fat flabby belly. The rest of me isnt so bad. Well arms and back are flabby too...LOL :laugh: But this isn't about me. All I'm saying is I'm sure there is a huge difference. And you've gone down how many pant sizes again??? Yeah you are doing awesome honey! Keep up the good work and don't let that get you down. I'm sure you look great. And you are over half way there. :drinker: :drinker: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

KrisKabob

I definitely agree with Kellch... take the newer pics and hold them to your older, 50 lbs heavier, pictures... then be PROUD of how far you've come!

I'm sure that people weren't just saying things to you to be nice and encouraging... they most definitely think you look great!!!

You are inspiring! Keep it going! :flowerforyou:

watch48win

50 lbs!!! YOU ROCK!

Keep that chin up and try not to be so hard on yourself ( I know it's hard...I do the same thing ).

Just remember cameras are evil ( at least they are in my eyes)!

:flowerforyou: :drinker: :flowerforyou:

kimber607

Sorry you're feeling down
Like the others said....50 pounds is a HUGE accomplishment.....keep up the great work!!!

((HUGS))
Kim

fatsis

We R always our worse critic. Your friends C the weight lost not the weight U feel U need 2 lose.
Pics R not good tools for checking progress. 50lbs gone and down from size 20 to 14, nothing 2 B down about. Take it easy on yourself, dont sabotage your hard work.

U R DOING GREAT!!!! CHIN UP!!!

auntkaren

50 lbs WOW:drinker: amazing, young lady, just amazing:drinker: Did you see on TV not to long ago, and I am sorry I don't remember the name of it. But there was this woman that she was all upset about how she was losing weight and her mother told her to get 5lbs of potato's at the store and walk around with it . So she started getting potatoes to compare to her weight loss , like 10lbs , a 10lb bag of potato's 20 pounds and so forth. She lost I think it was 85lbs and they had 85lbs of potatoes stacked up beside her where she sat, and some of the other guests as well.
Can you picture 50lbs of potatoes?:noway: You don't carry that around with you anymore.....:drinker:
You are just judging yourself wrong, it's not what you have lest to lose but the accomplishment you have done. We are all mostly very poor judges of ourselves, believe in your friends they are right. Keep up the good work:bigsmile:

lessertess

Thank you all so much for the support. I really appreciate it. I left work early today, went to the gym and did some cardio and yoga. I'm feeling better. Nothing like sweat to help adjust your perspective!

You all are great and I'm so glad I found you!

sophialittle

do you not remember how hard you worked to lose those 50 lbs? no wonder why it took a while, right? there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with being proud of the progress you made!!!! and there's nothing wrong with the fact that you're not okay with your body right now. you need to look at how you're unhappy with your body right now as a way to push you to keep kicking *kitten*! way to go, i'm seriously so proud of u and your progress so far! use this as a motivational tool and keep rolling with it, babe!

gabi_ele

I'm not sure but wasn't Marylin Monroe a size 14??? I remember reading something like that. I have the same problem, I don't see how big I am untill I see a video or a picture and I'm going that's awful. I think it was the camera :laugh:
I think youre doing a great job, congratulations and just keep on going... I think when I get to a size 14 I'll have pictures made LOL ( the last time I was able to get into a 14 I was 16 years old:grumble: )

FitJoani

honey I am in the same boat as you and we do need to focus on how much we HAVE achieved and how HEALTHY we are. I know its hard to break that negative cycle so to speak but I am still waiting on it myself, so I guess I should practice what I [reach...But honey you did it and i am sure you look fantabulous so be happy you succeed that much!!! You will get to your goal wt in no time...

skinnydreams

Awww....cheer up! I had the same problem after losing half my weight, feeling fabulous, then having pictures taken of me holding my handsome little nephew....I looked and felt fat all over again:grumble: ! Don't do that to yourself, it soooooo wasn't worth it! You've come far and I'm sure you look fantastic and others think it too! The nice thing about the pictures is that people just took them of you, not thinking that they should try to capture your slimmest angle, because to the photographer you just looked great! My brother-in-law felt that way about me holding his son and although I wish I looked better in the pictures, I'm still here and still doing something to improve my life and my self-image/self-esteem! So keep up the great work and try not to let this discourage you!

AngelicDevil80

Congrats on the 50 you already lost! Just keep that in mind and if you do feel better think of that when you think you dont look good! Even in good shape I dont like looking at pics of myself from certian angels. And as for people telling you they notice and think you look good, I bet anything they really mean it. Otherwise why would they say it Keep your head up :drinker:

songbyrdsweet

I did the same thing recently! I went off to camp school and there were about a million pictures taken..when I saw mine, I thought, UGH, I don't look like that in my progress pictures!! I felt like I needed to lose 20 lbs instead of 10! It's important to pay attention to your regular measurements rather than candid pictures taken when you least expect them hehe :laugh: