The smaller I get, the worse I feel about my body

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Replies

  • elyelyse
    elyelyse Posts: 1,454 Member
    I think part of it, too, is that when we are carrying extra pounds, we can blame the "not looking good" on the pounds, and that is made a little easier because we know that it's possible to change that one thing about ourselves through diet if we really try. On the other hand, once we get smaller...the flaws are no longer based on a number that we know how to change...we have a lot less control over that, and I think that is more upsetting....does that make sense?

    (yes of course we can do things to improve our bodies, strength train, hydrate well, have patience...but frankly, for many of us there is at least some damage done that can't be so "easily" fixed)
  • AbigailWins
    AbigailWins Posts: 42
    Sometimes I feel like this and then I wear something I feel comfortable with. It sounds like you need to buy some more clothes that really flatter your new figure.

    Find out what makes you look your best and buy more of that.

    Sometimes the cut of a dress doesn't make one look one's best. Invest in clothes that make you feel beautiful. And get your hair done and pamper yourself.

    You've achieved a lot with losing weight you deserve to celebrate it and feel good.
  • m2boo
    m2boo Posts: 8
    I've had that issue in the past when I've lost weight and I think it's because I stop looking at myself when I'm heavy. I am totally out of touch with my body and how it looks. As you lose weight I think you start seeing things you didn't see when you are heavier because you are just more likely to look in the mirror.
  • massivediet
    massivediet Posts: 54 Member
    I feel the way you do sometimes. I lost a total of about 60 pounds, 15 of them before starting MFP, and I have about 20 pounds to go, and in some ways I am less comfortable with my body, mainly because of the boob issue and some loose skin. I feel happy and confident with the way I am dressing, though, and the compliments from others have really been motivating. Often I get compliments on my clothes first and then the person looks again and comments on the weight loss.

    So 3 suggestions for dressing:

    Try some shapewear and get some really good bras--if you haven't already.

    Anything that is wearable but loose, just part with it or put it in the pajamas drawer. These things do not look good on you, they're going to look even worse as you approach goal. I had some beautiful things that I wanted very much to keep, but looking at them objectively, they appeared to be someone else's clothes. Having them also make it easier to put back on a few pounds or more without having to acknowledge it, as we all know.

    Consider changing your style to fit your new body. This was probably the number one thing that helped me. Before the weight loss, I always wore jeans, or slacks for work, with often lower cut, unstructured pretty tops and sweaters. This style worked on my size sixteen body, camouflaging the worst and highlighting my best features. Now at size eight, I wear dresses almost all the time, and when I don't, I wear much more structured tops with slimmer fitting pants and skirts. Having a wardrobe that is updated to fit the new body, plus updated in the sense that it is more modern, has been as important to me as the weight loss itself.
  • Lunira
    Lunira Posts: 33
    Maybe you're not used to getting positive attention from others because of your appearance, and now that you're getting it, it's making you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious?

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