Struggling with self image..

FitinFiveMonths

i had that with my skinny self, until i noticed i was up a few sizes and couldn't pretend anymore...

half the reason is that you're there all along, and since the change is slow, you don't really notice it. people who have more distance, or don't see you as often, are wowed by the change they see.

how to help that, i don't know.. it seems unrealistic to suggest not looking at yourself for two months

but you did well, and your brain will catch up at some point...

This is true, looking back at pictures I can see a huge difference, but I guess looking at myself every day in the mirror I don't see the changes other people do. Thanks!

Bermudabarbie

This is one of the reasons that I have stayed on MFP for over a year since I've reached my "goal weight." I have gone from a size 22W to a Size 6 or 8. In the last 4 or 5 months, I have actually dropped to the bottom end of my "healthy range" - 133-137. Some days I still feel like the "fat girl."

If anyone has the answer, I sure would love to hear it.

Some factors that I feel have helped:
posture. Yes, the way you hold yourself and the confidence that you exude are so important.

Make Up and Hair: Try a new hairstyle. Try wearing more dramatic makeup. These things do seem to make a difference.

Try different sizes in clothing. In the beginning, I was "replicating" my wardrobe in slightly smaller sizes. This was wrong. I invested a lot of money in size large tops, size medium skirts, etc. Actually, I should be wearing much smaller sizes, different styles, colors, etc.

This all takes times.

Wishing everyone the very best.

FitinFiveMonths

This is one of the reasons that I have stayed on MFP for over a year since I've reached my "goal weight." I have gone from a size 22W to a Size 6 or 8. In the last 4 or 5 months, I have actually dropped to the bottom end of my "healthy range" - 133-137. Some days I still feel like the "fat girl."

If anyone has the answer, I sure would love to hear it.

Some factors that I feel have helped:
posture. Yes, the way you hold yourself and the confidence that you exude are so important.

Make Up and Hair: Try a new hairstyle. Try wearing more dramatic makeup. These things do seem to make a difference.

Try different sizes in clothing. In the beginning, I was "replicating" my wardrobe in slightly smaller sizes. This was wrong. I invested a lot of money in size large tops, size medium skirts, etc. Actually, I should be wearing much smaller sizes, different styles, colors, etc.

This all takes times.

Wishing everyone the very best.

I'm actually going to re-dye my hair blonde next week, so I'm hoping that gives me a boost! I'm also going to try and sit/stand up straighter!

fatgirlslimlady

I struggle with the same thing on a daily basis! I've lost 40 pounds and dropped from a 16 to a 10 and it's hard to see how my body has changed. So I make note of small things and focus on those. Like last week, I noticed that when I put my hands on my waist, I feel muscle first, not fat! And I wore my favorite cardigan for the first time in a month or so, and I'm absolutely swimming in it! So I might not see the change, but I have the evidence that it's definitely happened.

Another suggestion is to take your measurements (waist, hips, thighs, etc--what you want) and track those. If we work out while losing weight, we might gain muscle while losing fat, so our weight might plateau but we're getting leaner (because muscle is denser than fat).

I hope this helps! You're definitely not the only one with this problem. We're all in this together, right?