Body image...how long does it take to change?

Nener - I just read an article on this same topic in Shape magazine, the April issue. It talked about taking in what others say to you about your shape so that you can re-program your own thoughts. It didn't say how long this would take, but I understand where you are coming from. I have been off and on trying to lose weight and get into shape since 2002, months after my wedding. I tried weight watchers and then due to health issues, put all the weight back on. Now I've been at it since last May and I had lost a total of 35 lbs., but put some of that weight back on and am losing it again. My husband says I look great and my friends and co-workers have noticed the change, but I'm with you and I still see the problem thighs and the loose skin and weight on my stomach, the cellulite dimples,etc. I hope someone else that has been through this and has re-programmed themselves to see the good responds to this site. I'd like to know the answer and how to make it work, too.

I don't know about others but I am having a huge issue with realizing that I have lost weight. I still gravitate to my old sizes when shopping. It is really hard to realize that this new body is me.

I'm the same way. I go to try on new clothes and I pick up the old sizes, even though I'm two sizes smaller. I'm just so unsure of the sizes these days.

I've gained and lost the same 25 lbs since I was 16 years old. Each time, the losing of weight took longer and the time it took to gain back became shorter. As I got older, I began keeping an extra 5 lbs and making my goal weight higher as an attempt to stay the same weight without "dieting". In January 2004, I lost 30 lbs in 16 weeks, before the year was over, I gained 15 pounds back. Why was I treating myself so poorly? What was causing me to act this way? What does this have to do with body image? I kept treating myself as I were that over weight person. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE??? You MUST change in the morning.... when you wake up tomorrow, look in the mirror and pick one good (maybe great) thing about yourself. This maybe hard at first, but you must.... Maybe you will need to start with your pretty white teeth or deep blue eyes. BE KIND to yourself. Love yourself enough to embrace the new you. Get to know this new person, love her enough not to put your heart thru gaining and losing weight. Brush your teeth before you get dressed. This will be a true test and will teach you to embrace the new you. BE KIND TO YOURSELF.... LOVE YOURSELF, TREAT YOURSELF like you would your best friend. You wouldn't look at your friend and say..... Wow, I hate that saggy skin on your thighs... would you??? You are now your best friend.. Change your body image by embracing the new you... loving the new you... Put a note on your mirror to remind yourself to be kind... Good Luck... please let me know... how it is going??? You cared enough about yourself to lose weight, you earned your own respect. Give yourself the respect you deserve.

Thanks DeeDee, While writing to you, I also was trying to convince myself to be KIND to me. This site is great. I've lost 16 lbs in the past two years. I have 7 lb to be at the goal weight I set for myself. Today my BMI is in the normal range and that feels good to be considered normal. This year when I got my physical my doctor said, "you're skinny". All positive.