Big weight loss & changes in perception of how you see yours

AshinAms

I'm interested to know, from those who have lost a lot of weight (100 lb or more) how your perception of yourself changed with the weightloss. Did anyone have depression/identity problems after losing weight?

I am currently in therapy and we are discussing this at the moment. For example - I didn't know how persistent men could be in their attentions if you look 'nice' - having hidden behind more than 100 lb of extra weight for about 12 years. I found myself unable to be myself because I didn't really know who I was. Somewhere inside me there is a blend of the mom who likes needlecraft/cooking/reading and has an ascerbic wit and the woman who works out fanatically in the gym, is obsessed with looking better and likes to buy clothes etc, but for a long time I thought it was an either/or situation. I had a very hard with people looking at me as well! I actually think this is what stopped me from reaching goal last time - the sheer amount of 'stuff' that comes with shedding an old body image while not being really prepared for the new one.

I'd be really interested to know what other people's opinions are and how you dealt with it. I'm losing weight again and don't want the same situation when I get to goal.

lil_pulp

I struggle with all kinds of perception issues since my weight loss. A huge part of my identity has changed (I can't be "the fat one" anymore), but at the same time, I still look fat to myself in the mirror. When I hear people talk about me (like when my trainer said that I'm just as fit as the women I comment about wanting to be as fit as), I think they're just trying to be nice. I also feel uncomfortable sometimes when strangers--especially in clothing stores--are nice to me because I can't help but think, "Wait, would you have been this nice when I was bigger?" even if I have no reason to think that they wouldn't have been.

My therapist and I talk a LOT about weight issues (way, way more than I ever did before I lost weight!) and a lot of my other issues, like the ones I started seeing my current therapist for, seem to be deeply tied to weight stuff from both my past and present. Feel free to add me as a friend or let me know if you want to chat more about this topic!

-LP

Edit: I know you were looking for people with a loss of 100 pounds or more. I've only lost around 65 total, but I'm so short--only 4'11--I kind of think it's the equivilant of more on a larger person (if that makes sense......).