Doesn't it drive you nuts when. . .

AmyLou9903

you look in the mirror after a particularly good workout, where your abs feel toned and taut, and your legs are burning. . . and the outside of your body doesn't match how you're feeling on the inside?

I know that's a huge issue for me when it comes to exercise--I can feel it working inside, but it takes seemingly FOREVER for it to show on the outside, which is frustrating.

Anyone have any tips on how to combat that negative feeling that arises when this happens?

Thanks.

AmyLou9903

you look in the mirror after a particularly good workout, where your abs feel toned and taut, and your legs are burning. . . and the outside of your body doesn't match how you're feeling on the inside?

I know that's a huge issue for me when it comes to exercise--I can feel it working inside, but it takes seemingly FOREVER for it to show on the outside, which is frustrating.

Anyone have any tips on how to combat that negative feeling that arises when this happens?

Thanks.

bathedinshadow

I know this might be hard.... but try not looking in the mirror every day. I mean I'm not suggesting you don't look in the mirror when you start and face yourself, but once you start working out, looking at the mirror every day cause the feelings you mentioned. Depending on how much weight you're trying to lose, you should wait like 2 weeks before looking in the mirror. The less weight you need to lose, the longer you should go as it's harder to lose those last pounds.

ce_fit

Do what some people have done here. Take a picture from the front, the side and back if you can. Then let time and or pounds pass by (say every 10 lbs) and then take the same pictures and compare your pictures. You will see the differance that you do not see by looking at yourself on a daily basis.

I've lost 30lbs and I have not changed in my eyes, however when I look at a picture of me a year ago my double chin has dissapeared and I no longer have that extra roll on the tummy.

I think you get my drift ... pictures will tell you alot more than a mirror !!!!! Good luck on your journey. :flowerforyou:

AmyLou9903

bathedinshadow--thanks for the tip. I know I should just avert my eyes but it's really hard not to be critical. Even when I'm sitting in the car I'm like. . . "hmm, are my thighs flattening out as much as they did yesterday??" Borderline obsessive, I know! I think i just need to "forget" about it and quit obsessing.

ce_fit--what a good idea. You know, I did that last year and it was really awesome to see progress pics. . . I actually emailed them to my sister monthly and it was really motivating. I don't know why I didn't do that this time around!

Thanks for the tips, both of you. I will keep plugging away and hopefully will be able to see some changes in a month or so! Until then. . . I'll forget the mirror!

Georg

I agree - it's hard when you're feeling so fit & strong on the inside.

bathedinshadow

bathedinshadow--thanks for the tip. I know I should just avert my eyes but it's really hard not to be critical. Even when I'm sitting in the car I'm like. . . "hmm, are my thighs flattening out as much as they did yesterday??" Borderline obsessive, I know! I think i just need to "forget" about it and quit obsessing.

Oh believe me... I get being obsessed!!!! I seriously had to throw my measuring tape into a place that made it very difficult to retrieve. I was measuring daily!

wmcnicol

I agree about taking pictures. When I first started working out I took a before picture and then took one every sunday then when the weight loss started slowing down I started taking the pictures just every once in a while. And its really came in handy. cause I look in the mirror and I know I look better but I'm still not happy with what I see until I look at those pictures are realize how far I've come!!!

But ya know... you are a woman!!! lol are we tend to stand naked in front of a mirror and criticize every little spot on our body. And don't worry we are all guilty of it and guilty of having the same feelings you are having! lol

GOOD LUCK!!!