Do you still feel "fat" mentally after a lot of weight loss?

I previously lost 35kg but I never really saw it in the mirror. Whenever I would catch a glimpse of my reflection in a store window, I would not recognise myself. The mental image I had of myself was still pretty close to the same size. Also, when I went shopping to buy clothes, I went to a new plus sized store in town. I tried on the XL, as I always did and they were swimming on me. I said to my husband.."this must be one of those new American stores with bigger sized clothing.....I can fit into a small to medium in this brand". I was honestly convinced that the clothes sizing had become bigger! And I can't count the times a store attendant would ask me what size I wanted and then say to me...no way, thats too big for you! I just never got it. Needless to say, I eventually regained all my weight. But I am back again for another go and this time, I am going to take pics all the way!

I'm still technically "fat," but at least once a week, the absurdity of the fact that I have actually lost weight will hit me. Like this morning, my weight was down to 207.5, which is a 26.5 pound weight loss since August. I had a mental brain fart and entered in 217.5 and when I realized my mistake, the number 207 looked really weird and not right. It was like I was in the Twilight Zone for a minute. Or when I go thrift store shopping, I will automatically reach for my pre-MFP size and when whatever I am trying on looks like a tent, I get this weird feeling like the world is shifting or something. I can't even explain it. It's like my brain isn't registering it yet. I wonder how the hell I'm going to feel 6 months from now?? It's going to be very strange.

So it's not just me? I can see the changes when I look in the mirror but everytime I look in the mirror it's a surprise as I expect to see the old me looking back at me.

I still walk into shops and think the staff must be thinking that I don't belong in there. Then I have to put back items and get a smaller size and I'm filled with glee.

I still sit down nervously on plastic seats in case the legs wobble under my weight and I nearly went beserk when my husband tried to pick me up the other night as I was scared he'd break his back. He laughed and then just threw me over his shoulder. :happy:

One day I hope my brain catches up with the fact that I'm 94lbs lighter but I guess I've had a whole lifetime of being overweight so it will take some time. I'm sure yours will too.

I was told once it takes 6 months for your mind to catch up with your body which is true in some respects, you can see yourself clearer and stop going automatically to the plus section, however it is false in that I still think like I am fat. Meaning I still struggle with self esteem, with thinking I am worth less than I am, that I still struggle with eating on a daily basis. I don't know when the fat girl will leave, but I still see myself as her which is a tough thing, because until I can think as a normal size person, I will always be fat no matter what I look like.

Yeah, I have total body dysmorphia...

Doesn't seem to matter how much weight I lose, I'm always chunky in my mind. When my profile picture was taken (this was a couple years ago when I was about 20 pounds lighter than now) I commented on how my belly was fat and poofy. I wish I was joking...and I wish my belly was that "fat and poofy" now. :ohwell:

Oh my god you are exactly the same as me! I used to think I was fat and looking back all I can think is of how stupid I was for thinking that! Now, even though I've lost a little, theres a voice in the back of my head telling me I'm chunky. It sucks.

xxx

Yep, for sure. Had a photo taken at a friend's wedding the other day and I've somehow convinced myself that the photo has somehow stretched/slimmed me as I'm convinced I don't look like that in real life. I'm nearly 5' 10'' and I weigh 140lbs so intellectually I know I can't be *that* fat but despite the size 10 dress I wore, which was slightly on the loose side, I still don't see that in my head even though I see it in the photo. In fact when I hold up the dress, I can't believe my body fits in it, even though I know it does. Strange.

I wouldn't say I feel 'fat'...but I'm always seeking improvement and hardly seem satisfied with the progress I make.

agreed.

Funny, but I never felt fat until I started to lose weight. So I think our minds really mess with us. In time I am hoping my mind and body feel the same.

I also struggled with my body image after weight loss. I’ve lost significant weight. I've become healthier and stronger. The body I see in the mirror is everything I ever wanted. But it still feels strange. I didn't know what to do either, just like you.

The thing is that people who used to be fat still have that body image in their minds even after their bodies have changed. Their perception of themselves did not change. This is especially the case if the weightloss happened fast.

I have a tip for you: try on your old oversized clothes! This way you will get a clear perspective of your progress and your current body size.

And there is this exercise that helped me a lot: walk in the dark with closed eyes - this way you will need to rely on your other senses in order to navigate yourself. It connects the mental image that you have of your body with the real life body of yours. During this exercise you will need to work with the body you currently have, and not the image of the body that is imprinted in your subconscious. Do this for 10 minutes a day, and you will see improvements in sensing your whole body.

When I realized that I am not the only one facing this issue, it comforted me to some extent. I’ve felt lost at times because no one around me seemed to understand the impact of this. So I started a blog for tips on how to accepting this new thin you. You can check it out http://fromfattofitgirl.com

Yep, I feel skinny fat... working on it though

I've dropped 5 dress sizes but I still feel as though I should be looking at the back of the rack every time I go shopping.... the mental bit is the hardest to overcome

I'll still pick up a shirt or pair of jeans and think "there's NO way this can go on my body" and then it fits easily...

I have also noticed that I'm harder on myself now because I pay more attention now. When I was heavier, I didn't think much about my weight and only ever felt self-conscious if my clothes were considerably tighter than usual or if I caught an unflattering glimpse of myself in a reflection. Now I tend to study my body more and in turn, find more to criticize.

Ha, I still remember looking at my mom in the dressing room and saying in bewilderment, "Well, if I wear a size 4, what size do the skinny people wear??"

Umm a size 0? 00? 4 is not skinny at all ..

This isn't exactly the same thing, but I had a breast reduction in April and I still feel as though my breasts are practical joke big even though I am constantly assured they are not. I'm working on mentally accepting y new self. Often I am scared they will grow back but I'm healthy enough I know they won't. It's hard to accept change...