How long it takes for your mind to catch up with your body?

AnahitaCanDoIt

So, as you can see from my pics (open to all), I've been all kind of weights. I hit my goal in January 2011 and maintained more or less for over a year with some ups and downs. Then I got some very bad news there in the summer and from May to August I gained about 20lbs (which I'm now in the process of losing!)....

But my point is, I think when I was at my goal, I still didn't ever feel 'not fat', despite the fact that I wore a UK10 (a US6) and I could clearly see the results of my hard work. My litmus test is the amount of attention I get from men (I'm happily married but I go out a lot with single friends from work who are younger)...when I'm a 10 it's a lot. When I go up to a size 12 it's very little and at a 14 it's none. But it's silly going by the way people look at me when why do I care what they think of me?

When will I (if ever) look in the mirror and see a slim healthy person looking back at me and not see the lumps bumps and middleaged body that saddens me?

Does it ever happen? I hope so! I know that when I can get back in a fitness routine (I'm bedbound post surgery which means no exercise!) I'll feel happier about how I look, but will I ever say, "Wow! I'm hot!" ?

BeautyFromPain

too long

capriqueen

I know what you mean. When I got to 5'6 3/4 120 lbs, I was a size 6 too- boys would stare and friends would tell me I had to gain weight because I looked sickly thin. I basked in the glory of all those comments.

But is it worth it? I was so frustrated inwardly with my body image that I led my way to piling on 30 pounds. Now in the process of losing weight, I'm teaching myself to love my body even if it is pear-shaped and imperfect. What do you like best about your body? Emphasize that. You may have imperfections, but then so does everyone! Meditate. Meditation can bring about positive thoughts that make you look at yourself-and the world in a different way.

Choose clothes that flatter your figure. This will bring into prominence your best features, and you'll feel better about yourself. But let this be a secondary step.

Good luck! You honestly look great!

mogletdeluxe

You have my sympathies. I still routinely reach for my old size on the clothing rack (I was a UK 18 - 20 and am now a 10 - 12).

In my experience, it look me a long time to get fat so I reckon it'll take a long time to realise - fully, comprehensively, not-pick-myself-apart-in-the-mirror realise - that I'm not anymore. I know I'm not morbidly obese like I used to be, but if you put me in a room full of women I'll still think I'm one of the biggest there. Force of habit, and its grip is strong.

I really do wish you all the best. I know the weight loss is generally the hardest part, but mental catch-up is a strange beast and sometimes can be quite disarming.

pkw58

When you get there, let me know. I feel great after going from a US size 14 to an 8. I am enjoying having a lot less "jiggle" as I continue to add exercise to my daily routine. Overall, my internal critics are pretty happy with what they see in the mirror.. but still get shocked when I put on the size 8's and need a size 6 for the waist or notice they zip/go on with no trouble at all!

I think I am going to start timing myself on a one mile walk run every day to just see if I can get faster so I have a NSV as well as continue to commit to 30 minutes of yoga /barre 3 a day. The exercise will raise my endorphins and maybe the scale and mirror and jean size won't seem so important but just who I am…it's a process.