I still think i'm fat, others say I'm thin

Well, honestly many times when we lose weight we lose muscle along with some fat. Even at a lower weight we see more fat than we would like. If your main form of exercise is cardio, try strength training. It makes the difference and tends to give the look we want. Now the scale may say more because of the lean muscle tissue gain and loss of fat, but you will look smaller, more firm and fit.

Way back when, when I was 19-20 I was a size 5-6 and I used to spend hours staring at all the "imperfections" in my body. I had cellulite even then, and I exercised constantly. I hated it, constantly thinking I was fat, I wasn't formed right.

Everyone has body issues and knowing that they are there you can overcome them. You just have to consider where you want to be and is it really worth it to kill yourself trying to be some size you may not have been meant to be.

Personally, I would KILL to have that body back, even with its imperfections. (well truthfully I don't actually want to be that small, I like the curves I have when Im a size 10-12) And that's my goal - to reach a point where I know I was most comfortable, and ignore that little voice that says you should be smaller.

It's time to hit the gym and lift heavy!

This.

I would agree. I'm 5'3" and roughly 130 lbs now that I am lifting heavy. I am seeing my body change even though the scale isn't going down. I am smoothing out on my stomach and love handle area. My saddle bags are smoothing out. I may not be wearing a different size or going down in "weight," but I am making myself look as smooth as possible. It is fun to see the changes.

It is that whole skinny fat concept. I am "skinny," but I know I still have tons of fat to burn off....and I want to replace that fat with muscle. I don't want to be squishy and blah at 121 (where I was)....I want to be tight and hard and strong!

So, lift. Lift heavy. :bigsmile:

I'm having the exact same problem. I think I have a hard time really seeing myself in the mirror as others do. I've reached my goal weight and trying to decide if its enough or not. Never thought I'd be a size six again, and now some of my size sixes are getting a little loose, but I'm still not happy with my hips. And I'm really curious if I can actually get a six pack for the first time ever. I think the idea of lifting heavy is a great idea. But can I trim my hips and get a six pack without losing more weight--will lifting weights do that,or do I need to lose a few more pounds? Kinda clueless and need to experiment at the gym I guess.

i totally feel the same, and blogged about it today - so rather than repeat it here, I'll post a link (in case you're interested)...
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MireyGal76/view/it-s-not-about-the-feelings-489861

I am trying to learn to love me right now. Some may think that is easy, but for me it is not. I pick flaws for a living, and I've honed my skills on myself.

The steps I am taking is self correction. When I start putting myself down, I correct myself. I take pictures, and reference them often when I start tearing myself to bits.

Good luck though, because even now, sitting at my desk, I FEEL like I'm about 40 pounds overweight, when I KNOW I'm just right.

hey, so my whole issue is that i used to way 2010... currently i am 148 and I am 5'10. I know on paper is says that I am average weight. But when i look at myself in the mirior I still think that I am over weight. And i keep pushing myselg to lose more. I''m worried that this might turn into some mental eating disorder. what are ways that i can pervent that? any tips?

It's hard to lose 1862 pounds and not have some loose skin that would look like fat. I would just look into plascic surgery to get all that skin removed and you should be good to go.

I go thru the same thing ppl say wow man ur muscular! I look in the mirror and its like, ok what are u talking about? I just dont see what everyone else see's.

Lol wut? Dude, you are jacked. WTF are you talking about?

I'm already starting to get concerned comments from family members about how thin I'm getting but I know perfectly well I have too much fat around my middle still. While I won't be able to get rid of the loose skin I will get rid of the fat under it and I won't stop until it's gone. So I know I'm still fat even though I'm technically in a healthy weight range. I mean, I can grab the fat with my hands. It's there, no denying it.

But there for sure as heck is a lot less of it than there was, and I can see that, too. Being able to see that takes time and effort. Comparison pics help, too.

My body fat percentage is 19.4

In that case definitely sounds like you aren't seeing yourself as you really are. Maybe taking photos will help, comparing them, studying yourself in the mirror, realizing that unlike me you can't grab handfuls of fat cause it isn't there.

I don't know, I hope you can see yourself as you are and enjoy your hard work because it's terrible to think you've come so far and done so well and your brain won't let you see it.

I know the feeling. I am been overweight since I was 11 and now 38 and only just got most of the weight off after losing 200 pounds. I still need to lose 14 pounds to get to a 25 BMI but I am not using it as a guide. I know I will still look not how I want to look as I was overweight for too long. I averaged out putting on 7 pound a year for 25 years. I get told I am slim but I still have a overhanging stomach. I just have to get used to it.

It's time to hit the gym and lift heavy!

Definitely! Weights can make you slim and trim without having to starve or become underweight. Plus instead of weight you should be checking your bf% which is what really makes for healthy/attractive body. Since you already realize your feelings of still being overweight are a little unrealistic I'd say you don't need therapy, but I suggest you start practicing some positive reaffirmations to change your negative feelings toward your body. GOOD LUCK

hey, so my whole issue is that i used to way 2010... currently i am 148 and I am 5'10. I know on paper is says that I am average weight. But when i look at myself in the mirior I still think that I am over weight. And i keep pushing myselg to lose more. I''m worried that this might turn into some mental eating disorder. what are ways that i can pervent that? any tips?

I have this problem is well. I read in a book titled Intuitive Eating that maybe you need to change your self-talk. Instead of saying "I hate this stomach of mine!', redirect your thinking to a positive aspect of your body that you like, such as "I have a nice smile' or "I have killer legs!". If that doesn't wor, you can look at your body from a functional viewpoint. I try to think to myself "Well I'm lucky that I have a functioning stomach" or "It's nice to have legs that can carry me places".

I think a problem a lot of women have is that the fleshier parts of the body, like the thighs and tummy, are the absolute last places to lose weight. Meanwhile the parts people see everyday, like the face, can end up looking too thin while you're trying to get rid of the weight in those other places. So my advice would be to focus on toning those problem areas rather than cutting calories, and also accept the fact that a flat stomach with a 6-pack is probably unattainable.

^^WSS - switch your cardio mode from weight loss to maintaining weight. Change your calorie goal to maintenance, and then start to focus more on strength training. You will begin to see definition and tone change dramatically. Also, you will need to eat back your expended exercise calories. You will need those calories to help your muscles.

ETA: have you tried to stretch for tip hip flexors? You may now have problems with the way your muslces and tendons interact. Although, I maintain that you should start lifting, and heavy. Give it a month and take measurements starting and ending that month. You should also speak to someone about body dysmorphia. I know I personally don't see what I actually look like when I look in a mirror. A picture, however, does not lie for me. Take some pictures. Do some comparisons with past pictures. And make an appointment with a professional to discuss your concerns. At the very least, you will have sound advice on where you are mentally in your journey. It cannot hurt you to speak with someone about your concerns and they can give you strategies to avoid falling prey to an eating disorder.

I think a problem a lot of women have is that the fleshier parts of the body, like the thighs and tummy, are the absolute last places to lose weight. Meanwhile the parts people see everyday, like the face, can end up looking too thin while you're trying to get rid of the weight in those other places. So my advice would be to focus on toning those problem areas rather than cutting calories, and also accept the fact that a flat stomach with a 6-pack is probably unattainable.

Wait what? Why does having a flat stomach with a 6 pack have to be unattainable? Too many people sell themselves short. Yes it's important to go about reaching your goals in a healthy way, but why can't she have a flat stomach or 6 pack if she wants?

My advice is always to focus on how you feel. If you start feeling tired, run down, hair falling out, less strength, then you're probably not eating enough. Otherwise you're probably okay. Eat to fuel your body, and exercise because you love your body enough to take care of it, not because you hate it and you're trying to change it.

And it might be helpful to have your body fat percentage tested. Weight isn't as reliable an indicator of whether you have more to lose. Women shouldn't go below 14 percent. Up to 24 percent is still considered quite healthy.

I mean it's really hard for most women to have a 6-pack without looking emaciated everywhere else. I know I'd have to starve myself to get one.

I get what you are saying; I guess it has to do with where you are genetically predisposed to store fat. Supposedly for women ab definition is likely to start showing at 18 percent body fat, which is a good safe healthy percentage, and one could even go lower if one wanted, but if you tend to carry fat more in your midsection it could be difficult to get the last bit off without getting too thin. Then it goes back to trusting how healthy you feel instead of trusting your mirror.