excess skin discouragement---body image

fiercekindness

Okay I've lost over 200 pounds in about 2 years. I am very proud of myself for being able to do that on my own. But even though I am at a healthy weight, I still sometimes get on the scale and desire to see the number go down. I could lose another 10-15 pounds and still considered to be at a healthy weight. But I am not sure if I really need to. I am not sure if I want to. When I look at my body I don't see myself as skinny or particular thin. I just see the excess skin. Now granted I've struggled with my weight my entire life and so maybe its been stretched far too much that it won't ever tone up. But is it possible. It's just hard looking in the mirror and seeing the extra skin, and then I pull and tug at it, and think only if it were gone then I would feel so much better. Is there anyone else out there who has lost a lot of weight and find there extra skin to be psychologically discouraging. I am sure I do have body image issues which I am working on. But it's just frustrating that other people view me as skinny but I don't. I guess being overweight my entire life I am not use to the term skinny being referenced towards me. And then there is the scale thing, weighing myself and still desiring to see the number go down? I ask myself am I truly content on my weight? I am not so sure. I think I am. I think it's my body image that I am not content on. This all scares me because I don't want to go down the road to an eating disorder. Although I do eat regular balance meals and exercise often, meaning up to 1 hour a day 6-7x a week. Which I think is fairly normal. I am just discouraged and concern because I don't see myself as skinny or thin. I do think I am healthy. But I just don't like my body. Even with the excess weight gone, I still don't like what I see. I just see extra skin. Is there anyone out there who has been able to toned up their extra skin without surgery? If so how did you do it? Any suggestions or words of wisdom? Thanks

needamulligan

Congratulations on your awesome progress! Sorry, no wisdom. I'm still struggling and have a long way to go. So, I can't speak from experience. I guess we all hope for that happy end to the story. I've worried a lot about the excess skin. Since I'm much older than you are, I expect to have loose skin issues at the end of this journey, as well. The only thing I can offer is that I've heard it takes time. I know that it's been 2 years. Maybe you need some more time for toning. Also, have you tried lifting weights? There is a surgical option. I am really hoping to avoid this.

Can I offer a bright side in all of this?

1. You look so beautiful in your profile picture! From this photo it doesn't look like you have much loose skin. Is it possible that it looks worse to you than the rest of us?

2. You are SO MUCH HEALTHIER! You just extended your life expectancy and reduced the further damage to your body/organs!

Sometimes all we can do is focus on the faults. Don't stop working toward your goal. You are gorgeous and don't forget to celebrate your progress!

Rowan813

Congratulations, you look great! I lost 45 pounds and have found that I never think of myself as thin but others do. It took me a long while to recognize the person in the mirror when I am out and about. I am thinking about getting some surgery ro remove some excess skin on my upper arms and abdomen eventually. I am just not sure I want the scars afterward. It comes down to what will make you happiest.

exzcape

I'm still at the beginning of my journey so I have not had to face some of the things you are going through, but from what I have read you have acompished so much and daily you should try and tell yourself all the positive things that you have acomplished. Needamuligan brought up some wonderful points. It might help to find a support group in your area so you can talk to people that are feeling the same way. I wish you al lthe best and you are a true inspiration.

cherbapp

Wow...this was like reading my own thoughts! I completely understand where you are coming from.

For quite a few years I was almost 130 pounds heavier...I lost 100 of it with surgery but then regained 50+... And just this past year I figured out how to be healthy and lost over 70...anyway, I have a lot of loose skin, especially around my middle. I feel like you...like I see all the skin in the mirror and still feel fat. I actually have less than 30% body fat, so I am healthy. People tell me I look great now and I don't need to lose more. But I don't see it. I wonder if having the skin removed would fix this, or if its just a distorted view of myself as we'll as low self esteem, and maybe surgery wouldn't help??

I still tell myself this is way better than being fat...but I am so discouraged that I went though all this work and am still not happy with myself. Like when I was really big, I thought I looked great for a fat person. Now I think I look bad for a not-so-fat person.

Hopefully our brains will begin to believe others. . Sorry I'm not helpful, but I gotta say I understand. And you do look amazing in your pic!!

Ruthann1971

I've just begun this LONG journey again but I do understand the image problem. I know exactaly what your feeling and it's a mental decision to start listening to what others tell you rather than what you see.

fiercekindness

Thanks everyone that was really encouraging!!!! I am hanging in there!!