Backwards self-image

incircles_lp2

So this might be weird for most people (particularly woman), but I see myself in the mirror as only a bit overweight in my stomach and love handles, but when I take pictures of myself, I see something completely different! I look so much FATTER than I thought I was. What is going on here? I feel like I have little body fat even though I am 160lbs at a height of 5'5". I am an avid cyclist and I literally don't have an *kitten* or any fat on my legs or arms. All of my fat is concentrated in my belly, which still doesn't feel that fat. So I have a reversed image of myself. I see myself as not so fat in the mirror, but GIGANTIC in photos. Does anyone else have this problem? It is making me so self-conscience:(

katie517

Yep, I do. Always have. Even when I was gigantic (well for me anyway). I think it was part of why it was so hard for me to get motivated. I would look in the mirror and think I looked pretty good. I avoided cameras so I wouldn't have to face reality. And, looking back, I realize that when I looked in the mirror, I was only really looking at my face.

Remember, when you are looking in the mirror, you can move to show your best angles, etc. A photo can catch you at a moment where you are slouching or turned funny. I think the people who are most photogenic just know their best features and how to show them.

Plus, if you were overweight before, it is difficult to break that mentality. If they are group pictures, are you comparing your self to others in the picture? You are taller and lighter than me. So, if you want, I will take a picture with you to help give you a boost just as long as I don't have to see it. :happy:

Just keep up your routine. Eat healthy and stay active. I think it takes the brain a while to catch up to the body during this kind of change.

CasperO

It happens, more common in men. A 270 pound guy with a 48" waist can pull his pants up, suck in his gut, look in the mirror and say "Oh yeah,,, looking good". (Ask me how I know :laugh: ).

There's how you think and feel about yourself, and then there's what you know is really true. The pictures are a better shot of what the rest of the world sees, and what's really the case. If you have a positive self image that's great - more women should have that. So now maybe get busy making the gal in the pictures match the gal in your mind.

You can do it.

Shannon023

I delete more pictures off my camera then what I download. :embarassed: I think it's common for a lot of us. :flowerforyou:

JStarnes

Ditto - I look in the mirror & think "man, I gotta get a picture of this, I look awesome!" then once I see the pic I delete it bc I actually look terrible. :ohwell: I think we all do it. I'm like Shannon, I delete more than I keep...probably 3X more.

silvertears

I've almost sworn off taking pictures of myself until I get much closer to my goal weight. I've lost about 14 lbs and 10 inches and in my mind and in the mirror, I look so much better than I did. But then I had some pictures taken of me this weekend and it was a huge blow to my self-image. It was like "I have worked so hard and I still look like THAT?"

Gogo

I am with you guys. I wil take 10 pics and delete 9 of them. I always think that I look awful. My DH always yells at me because when I do look at a pic I am usually checking myself out instead of looking at everyone else! :ohwell:

stef_e_b

I'm the same. When I look in the mirror I see someone maybe 140 pounds. Of course, I'm not I'm nearly 100 pounds heavier. I like to call myself opposrexic, its much cuter than admiting I'm in denial.