Why do I still feel fat?

suegreg77
suegreg77 Posts: 14 Member
in Motivation and Support
So I've managed to shift a few pounds and am now sitting comfortably in the 'ideal' range for my BMI, yet every time I look in the mirror I still feel like a fat chick. Logically I know that my body probably isn't that bad, but I'm 6 ft and have spent many years being chubby so that now I just can't see myself as anything other than generically "big". I've just bought the 30 Day Shred DVD to try and tighten up my wobbly bits, but how can I change my mindset so I can see the thinner version of me?

Replies

  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    It takes a while to change your view of your body image. I remember going through years bringing size 10s or 12a into the dressing rooms in stores and having to ask for a smaller size. I just couldn't wrap my head around my body size. Also, different brands have different sizing, which doesn't help. I also didn't change my bra size when I lost weight.

    It simply takes a while to really see yourself. One thing that helped me was being in a class video. I was watching it afterwards and at first I was wondering who that thin woman was, and it turned out to be me!
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    So I've managed to shift a few pounds and am now sitting comfortably in the 'ideal' range for my BMI, yet every time I look in the mirror I still feel like a fat chick. Logically I know that my body probably isn't that bad, but I'm 6 ft and have spent many years being chubby so that now I just can't see myself as anything other than generically "big". I've just bought the 30 Day Shred DVD to try and tighten up my wobbly bits, but how can I change my mindset so I can see the thinner version of me?

    I don't know it's hard to change your mind about things like that. I know an evil witch who just lost a lot of weight and ppl are saying she's SO THIN now but when I look at her I still see a fat lady. A real fat lady. I don't know if I just met her as a fat lady and she'll always be one to me OR if I just hate her so much I wanna see her that way OR if being on MFP exposes me to actual fit and thin people and so by comparison I can see she's not it while other's are only comparing her to her former very fat self and that's just what you tell people when they are losing weight "Oh stop you're getting too thin" , "you're so thin", etc. Honeslty she still has quite a ways to go and so I'm not sure what I'm witnessing with the feigned concern but she seems to have bought it hook line and sinker b/c she's been bragging about buying new clothes and she thinks she's at goal.

    If you don't feel ready, do NOT ask others for input. Ppl wanna be nice, or even in the case of a mean person just not be hated afraid of them, they'll lie. Just give yourself time to maintain at this normal weight and re-evaluate later.

    This will give you time to see what sizes you are wearing, reflect on old thinner pics of you, look up people on mybodygallery.com with your stats and get your eyes seeing yourself accurately. It will give you time to see where your endurance and strenght levels are and if that's sufficient. Then you can make a more informed decision whether or not you are "still fat".

    Just because a number on a scale was reached you don't have to right away that day decide you're perfect and done. You should also take time to evaluate how you go that number.
  • jjreije
    jjreije Posts: 11 Member
    I have lost over 20 kgs since I started and everyone tells me how great I look and how thin I have gotten. I don't see it. I don't feel it. I look at myself and see the same person. I was happy with myself before I lost the weight but it was a health concern, I had to lose for reasons other than wanting to myself. Peoples reaction to me now makes me feel as though they must've thought I was a whale before and it's difficult to fit all the feelings, perceptions and others reactions into an order that I'm comfortable with. In the end though, I am happy that I am able to control the amount of calories I eat each day. I am able to confirm that the nutrients are adequate and that doing some housework occasionally gives me some bonus calories which I can use if I want.

    I do still feel the same and I am unable to recognise myself as "new and improved". It helps me to focus on other things such as the health & nutritional value, amount of physical exertion I am capable of, the cinema seats I can now fit into - instead of the visual differences.

    I don't know if that helps, but it has helped me to continue for the past year. If you have reached your BMI, you are doing so much better than so many others - be proud of yourself and let your mindset catch up later ;)
  • wolfsbayne
    wolfsbayne Posts: 3,116 Member
    The mind is a very powerful thing. I don't have an answer for you, but just to tell you I know how you feel. I'm wondering when I'll stop seeing the fatty in the mirror. I do have days where I feel good about how I look, though. If you have those days, try to capitalize on those feelings.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I still see myself as fat too. It's weird though, sometimes I'll catch myself in the mirror in a restaurant or something and I'll like what I see, but at home, forget it.

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