Scale changes but mirror doesn't?

The scale keeps going down, but honestly I don't see any change when I look in the mirror. Does this happen with anyone else?

Replies

  • This happens to me. I really don't notice a change until I put on pants I never could before or buy new clothes in smaller sizes. Don't worry I'm sure your looking great :smile:
  • You slowly get used to seeing your new self. Try looking at old and recent pictures of yourself if you want to see differences.
  • beatpig
    beatpig Posts: 97 Member
    That's because we look in the mirror every day and don't pick up on the minute changes!
  • bigfatbino
    bigfatbino Posts: 136 Member
    I didn't notice a big difference until I lost like 30 lbs. Saw it in my face and chin then, but not in the "rest" of me. But others started noticing about that time as well.

    You'll see a difference soon =)
  • DaniKenmir
    DaniKenmir Posts: 387 Member
    I can't see it but my bf wont leave me alone so I'm guessing it's working
  • LadyRhodes01
    LadyRhodes01 Posts: 88 Member
    Ditto. Trying on smaller clothes is the key. Also, that's why it's important to take before and after pics. Even if they're just saved on your phone, so you alone can see the difference. Since you are your biggest critic. Progress is sometimes difficult for us to see, since of course we are our biggest critics. That's amazing you've lost close to 20 lbs and haven't seen a difference? That's a huge accomplishment. Get to snapping on your camera phone.
  • fstephanie4
    fstephanie4 Posts: 196 Member
    I agree with looking at old pictures of yourself! It really does put it into perspective. And smaller clothes.

    If you've taken measurements in the past, re-measure. You might find you're surprised by the difference. I know I was :happy:

    :flowerforyou:
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    The scale keeps going down, but honestly I don't see any change when I look in the mirror. Does this happen with anyone else?

    This is when pictures can show changes. Front back and side profile. I found that most changes you will see from the rear view. Everyone is different. Sometimes the pictures can show changes that you don't see in the scale.

    It's nice to have the scale, circumference measurements, and front, back, and side photos and track all of these with dates.
  • Izzwoz
    Izzwoz Posts: 348 Member
    Definitely clothes, I can't see a difference at all, but this morning I tried on a pair of trousers that I haven't worn since I was last at this weight (about 7 years ago) and voilá! They fit!!! :-)
  • fg8585
    fg8585 Posts: 110 Member
    I can only see minor changes in my size but I don't really see much either. Like others have said, take pics of your progress. 1 piece of advice I will definitely take at this point. And yea clothes... Getting dressed as usual and something feels......kind of baggy? You're losing weight!
  • I've lost 20 pounds and I don't see the difference either. My face went from round to oval. I think I will take front, back and side profile shots. Congratulations on your weight lost.
  • cecyvaquero
    cecyvaquero Posts: 154 Member
    Congratulations on your weight loss. I have lost 10 pounds and every time I look at myself I can't see it and think the scale is lying to me. Buy smaller clothes and you will see the difference and also take pictures. I am pretty sure once you do this you will see the difference.
  • MzzFaith
    MzzFaith Posts: 337 Member
    I used to get furious with the scale, until I saw the differnce in my clothes, & start using the same scale. My weight went up & down.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,256 Member
    I can't see it but my bf wont leave me alone so I'm guessing it's working

    And this is why we need a "love" button. :)
  • rekite2000
    rekite2000 Posts: 218 Member
    I know with me, I am losing evenly from waist, hips, butt so I look the same ratio wise. I am smaller, but it less obvious compared to if I lost 1 inch from my waist and 2 inches from my hips. I am okay with this though as it keeps me hour-glassed shaped.
  • JewelSmith
    JewelSmith Posts: 155 Member
    You slowly get used to seeing your new self. Try looking at old and recent pictures of yourself if you want to see differences.

    I agree with this..I hardly see changes in the mirror, but I host career expos once a month and each month the photos have told the story. Keep it up, I am sure it is working..!
  • JDBLY11
    JDBLY11 Posts: 577 Member
    The scale keeps going down, but honestly I don't see any change when I look in the mirror. Does this happen with anyone else?

    I felt like that when I lost 60 lbs last time. I felt like I still looked the same as I did 60 lbs heavier. My body shape was the same. I don't want to be a skinner version of the fat me. I want a nice body. I was exercising with walking a little with weights. It was very discouraging. This time i will up the exercising a lot and see if I see the body changes I would like.
  • JDBLY11
    JDBLY11 Posts: 577 Member
    I can't see it but my bf wont leave me alone so I'm guessing it's working

    lol, that would be a sign it is working.
  • andres4317
    andres4317 Posts: 26 Member
    For awhile I only saw the difference in the bagginess of my clothes; things that were uncomfortably snug were now loose. However, the mirror thing was holding true for me too. After three months using MFP I compared pictures of myself before MFP and at 39 pounds lost. Talk about a "WOW" moment! I know results vary but try a before and after pic. I wish I would have had the forethought to do that every 10 pounds---weightloss is a journey and with ups and downs and progress, no matter how small should be celebrated!

    Good luck in your journey!
  • FitCitrus
    FitCitrus Posts: 15
    I have that issue as well. You are not alone! I only notice a little bit of a difference in some clothes that I wear. My friends have acknowledged my weight loss, too. I feel like I'm just going to be forever chunky but athletic :)
  • FitToBeKim
    FitToBeKim Posts: 85 Member
    I feel the same way.
    I have now lost 40 lbs (some before I started MFP). I still feel fat.
    I never really let people take photos of me before but the few that I have I look at and seems to me that I still look the same. I feel the same.
    I've got 20 more lbs to go. I hope I start feeling better soon !
  • ddky
    ddky Posts: 381 Member
    You just aren't seeing it. I have lost 22 pounds and not one person from my office has commented about it. Today I had to go to a different department that I used to work in. Every person that I stopped to talk too was "wow, you have lost weight". They saw the difference because they hadn't seen me in awhile. Take pictures, as others have said, if you want to compare.
  • MCLA4mom
    MCLA4mom Posts: 219 Member
    I am a health coach and I see this all the time with my clients. It takes a while for us to see our new changes. It took me a long time to take my "fat goggles" off.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    The scale keeps going down, but honestly I don't see any change when I look in the mirror. Does this happen with anyone else?

    I felt like that when I lost 60 lbs last time. I felt like I still looked the same as I did 60 lbs heavier. My body shape was the same. I don't want to be a skinner version of the fat me. I want a nice body. I was exercising with walking a little with weights. It was very discouraging. This time i will up the exercising a lot and see if I see the body changes I would like.

    You should try a progressive loading weight lifting routine like StrongLifts 5x5, New Rules of Lifting or Starting Strength. Not only will your body change for the better but you will be stronger and it's great for maintaining bone density as we age. Win/Win/Win
  • alsunrise
    alsunrise Posts: 386 Member
    I am a health coach and I see this all the time with my clients. It takes a while for us to see our new changes. It took me a long time to take my "fat goggles" off.

    About 4 years ago I went from a size 16 to a size 8 and never saw the difference in the mirror. Then I gained it all back plus more and all of a sudden I could look back at pictures of the size 8 woman and see the difference. It's crazy that we can't look in the mirror and see what everyone else already sees.