Psychology of weight loss

pamelad77

Been on MFP since January, and have lost almost 24lbs.

The problem I have is, I know the scales are going down, my measurements are smaller, and my clothes definitely fit better, but I can't get it into my head I've lost almost 2 stone.

I look at myself and think, no, you can't have lost that amount. Scales must be wrong (I even went out and bought a new set) or I must be measuring myself wrong.

The facts are there though, especially when it comes to my clothes fitting, but it just doesn't want to sink in.
I'm getting paranoid that one day I'll wake up, step on the scales and it will be back where it was lol.

Anyone else having the same problem?

TiffanyV25

I've lost right around 20 lbs so far (since Jan) and while I feel better, clothes are loose, ect, ect.. I still feel like I have a LONG way to go... I'm not really "proud" of my weight loss when I know I should be... Definitely some psychology stuff going on. Keep up the good work! Just stay positive and in two months from now imagine where we will be. Good luck!

luvlyjanny

i have that problem!! people say to me youve lost weight and in my head i know i have but another part of my head refuses to accept it and says nope there is something wrong here you cant have lost as much as you think.. ive lost 4st in all but 2st since january when i found out i did a double take and thought surely thats wrong!! but ive now dropped a dress size so i know its possible lol strange really isnt it

pamelad77

i have that problem!! people say to me youve lost weight and in my head i know i have but another part of my head refuses to accept it and says nope there is something wrong here you cant have lost as much as you think.. ive lost 4st in all but 2st since january when i found out i did a double take and thought surely thats wrong!! but ive now dropped a dress size so i know its possible lol strange really isnt it

You've got it in a nutshell. I'm fitting into clothes that i couldn't before, but it still can't be that I've lost weight lol

AnneH1977

If someone that had not seen you since before January, saw you today, they would notice right away the dramatic change. 23 pounds is a good amount of weight to have lost and the effect is quite drastic.
With that being said, as "dieters" (I know this is a lifestyle change, but for argument's sake I'm labeling us as dieters), we see ourselves daily. And we do not just SEE ourselves. If you're anything like me, you inspect yourself, looking for any change, any proof that we may be smaller today then we were yesterday.
This is why the change seems so much less dramatic. If you did not look at yourself in a mirror for a week, you'd feel as if you certainly DID lose x-amount of weight that week.
Do you have pictures of yourself right before you started here? If so, take them out. You'll be shocked.
And you will not wake up 23 pounds heavier tomorrow. I absolutely promise. It will take a while to get used to the idea that this IS YOU now, but it will happen. It just takes time.

pamelad77

If someone that had not seen you since before January, saw you today, they would notice right away the dramatic change. 23 pounds is a good amount of weight to have lost and the effect is quite drastic.
With that being said, as "dieters" (I know this is a lifestyle change, but for argument's sake I'm labeling us as dieters), we see ourselves daily. And we do not just SEE ourselves. If you're anything like me, you inspect yourself, looking for any change, any proof that we may be smaller today then we were yesterday.
This is why the change seems so much less dramatic. If you did not look at yourself in a mirror for a week, you'd feel as if you certainly DID lose x-amount of weight that week.
Do you have pictures of yourself right before you started here? If so, take them out. You'll be shocked.
And you will not wake up 23 pounds heavier tomorrow. I absolutely promise. It will take a while to get used to the idea that this IS YOU now, but it will happen. It just takes time.

Thanks lol, and you promise I won't wake up tomorrow back where I was and it was all a big joke?!

plushkitten

Yeah. I do all the time. Right now I'm in the phase where I'm scared it's all been put back on.

gym_al

Hi, I'm new to myfitnesspal but not to losing weight and dieting. My journey has been fairly long, as I've started a body recomposition with training and dieting in February of 2009, at the tender age of 47. Since then, I've lost 25kg/55lbs. Probably gained some lean mass/muscle, as I strength train with heavy weights and kettlebells. Myfitnesspal came into the picture as I want to lose 10 more pounds of fat, preserving the muscle, and I need, at this point, to count my calories very accurately (it took me so long as I believed the slow change was the only approach that would work for me. Big weight loss in a short time would have probably put me in a 'regain' mode..)
To get to your post: the ONLY way I've been able to mentally 'accept' the fact that I lost all this weight has been to see myself in pictures, from time to time during the process. My brain and the relationship I've with my body told me for a long time me I was the same guy I always was, overweight and 'big. Two and a half decades of overweight apparently printed a feel/self-image, of myself looking a certain way. I think I read some articles on the internet about this, how long it takes for the brain to really 'see' the change, in looks and feel. But I can't find the source. Anyway, apparently, you're not alone . And congrats on the weight loss!

AnneH1977

If someone that had not seen you since before January, saw you today, they would notice right away the dramatic change. 23 pounds is a good amount of weight to have lost and the effect is quite drastic.
With that being said, as "dieters" (I know this is a lifestyle change, but for argument's sake I'm labeling us as dieters), we see ourselves daily. And we do not just SEE ourselves. If you're anything like me, you inspect yourself, looking for any change, any proof that we may be smaller today then we were yesterday.
This is why the change seems so much less dramatic. If you did not look at yourself in a mirror for a week, you'd feel as if you certainly DID lose x-amount of weight that week.
Do you have pictures of yourself right before you started here? If so, take them out. You'll be shocked.
And you will not wake up 23 pounds heavier tomorrow. I absolutely promise. It will take a while to get used to the idea that this IS YOU now, but it will happen. It just takes time.

Thanks lol, and you promise I won't wake up tomorrow back where I was and it was all a big joke?!

I guarantee it. And if, by some disaster of nature/space/time, you do, I will make the trip to the UK (I'm assuming since you referenced stone in your weight measurement) so you can vent your frustrations to me personally.

pamelad77

Just really pleased I'm not the only one lol, tout the men in white coats were coming to take me away!

AnneH1977

Hi, I'm new to myfitnesspal but not to losing weight and dieting. My journey has been fairly long, as I've started a body recomposition with training and dieting in February of 2009, at the tender age of 47. Since then, I've lost 25kg/55lbs. Probably gained some lean mass/muscle, as I strength train with heavy weights and kettlebells. Myfitnesspal came into the picture as I want to lose 10 more pounds of fat, preserving the muscle, and I need, at this point, to count my calories very accurately (it took me so long as I believed the slow change was the only approach that would work for me. Big weight loss in a short time would have probably put me in a 'regain' mode..)
To get to your post: the ONLY way I've been able to mentally 'accept' the fact that I lost all this weight has been to see myself in pictures, from time to time during the process. My brain and the relationship I've with my body told me for a long time me I was the same guy I always was, overweight and 'big. Two and a half decades of overweight apparently printed a feel/self-image, of myself looking a certain way. I think I read some articles on the internet about this, how long it takes for the brain to really 'see' the change, in looks and feel. But I can't find the source. Anyway, apparently, you're not alone . And congrats on the weight loss!

Wait, wait wait...is that you in your picture? If so, you do NOT look to be over 40, and over 30 would be pushing it as well. (I heart you now. How unfortunate for you.)
Fabulous job on your loss!

AnneH1977

Just really pleased I'm not the only one lol, tout the men in white coats were coming to take me away!

Not today at least, dear.

memega

Taking periodic photos of yourself at a standardized setting is the only solution!

pamelad77

Taking periodic photos of yourself at a standardized setting is the only solution!

I took some about 2 weeks into my journey, so think its time for some more!

MaraDiaz

Many times when I was thin after losing weight I dreamed I was fat again. More times than I can count.

hedgiie

It's a good thing that i'm not alone. I only rely on how i feel, i change the way i walk. and move. but still think that i'm fat or will easily get fat.
on the other hand, i notice that i'm not eating the same way i used to, heck there is huge difference so it only makes sense that weight gain might not occur, though it is still possible.

pamelad77

Done some new photos and I really can see a difference! So that's sort of put my mind at rest!

JennieAL

If you reversed the scenario... bingo. For a few years, I was looking at the scale & mirror & pics in disbelief that I was bigger... I'd been skinny my whole life.

And now that some of it's coming off. Sure, I feel like "will it last? is it permanent? will i go right back up again on the scale if I don't carefully monitor the calories"... that does go through my mind.

What helps is seeing the fat loss in inches, measuring my waist & hips. The biggest surprise is that I've increased my calories lately, adding in weight lifting... and it's just boggling my mind that I'm staying the same weight. While I'm losing inches. Hard to believe, yes.

MountainMia

Body image is one of those things that takes a while to form, and it isn't simply based on a number on the scale or a size or shape. I think I'm on the other side of the spectrum, but the same disconnect is firmly in place. I know I've lost weight, and I certainly feel better. I know I look better, but I'm not lookin' as good as I'm feelin'. I become aware of this disconnect when I try on jeans I have no business getting into yet. Or as I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror at the gym and say "oooph! She's got a ways to go, but good for her!" and give her some privacy as I get my strong and sexy self back to work.
Reality is what it is, but I like my fantasy body image of being closer to my goal than I really am. I'm just glad I'm doing what it takes to make my outside more consistent with what I really feel on the inside. I've decided the strong and sexy part of myself is a heck of a lot more fun and helpful than the skeptical part, so I'm hangin' with her. :smooched:

TDGee

gashinshotan

We're all mentally ill to an extent.

pamelad77

We're all mentally ill to an extent.

Thanks for that lol, was hoping I'd have everyone tell me it was normal, not that i need help lol

luvlyjanny

We're all mentally ill to an extent.

i said this to my doctor once and she just laughed... she asked if i was depressed and i said well i think we are all depressed in our own way some people just go bit further than others and she probably thought i had dropped a few marbles on the way in i wasnt, am not and probably never will be depressed i'm just too happy a person lol