"When did you start seeing yourself thinner?"

An MFP friend asked me a good question today, and I thought that this question deserved a post of its own.

My friend said, "No one will answer this for me. When did you start seeing yourself a thinner women? I've lost 72 lbs from 300 and although I can now wear a size 18 pant from a size 28 my mind will not make the connection! When did you see your changes. I know what my numbers say but my mind isn't there. Any thoughts you can give?"

Here is my response:

There were a few special occasions, when I it became very obvious that my body was changing...shrinking.

The first time was, when my under pants would not stay up; and I had to go from size 13 to size 8 panties. That was also about the time that I looked in the wall mirror and suddenly realized that I could see my pubic mound for the first time in more than 20 years. My belly had been hanging over that area for so long.

When I finally found the courage to have my hubbie Ed photograph me in my swimsuit, I was shocked by my fat body. I had not been able to see what I actually looked like from the back until then. The follow up pictures gave me the chance to SEE how my body was changing. That's why I encourage folks to take those hard to look at fat photos. They are a God sent in the future to help encourage you.

Here are a couple of my comparison photos that would not have been possible, if I had not allowed myself to be photographed at a much heavier weight. Photos like these help me to see myself honestly...and also see the changes better.







The recent eye opener for me was, when I suddenly noticed in bathroom mirror that my neck was really thin; and my shoulders had narrowed...a lot. In fact, I looked like my Mom!!! That was the first time that I saw my tiny Mom in me. I looked more like my Dad's side of the family, folks who were overweight and had double chins, rounded shoulders and fat pads on their upper back.

Now that my face, neck and shoulders had lost all the excess fat, I could see the shape of my Mom's 'beautiful features' in me. That was the first time that I really liked how I looked in the mirror. Because of my age, I do have some hanging skin on my neck, but I really liked what I see now...a thinner Sue and the reflection of my Mom.

The most recent revelation of change is kind of silly, but I noticed it. My belly used to be enormous and hung over my thighs. My belly button was a huge 'innie'.

To avoid infection in that area, I had to clean and dry that deep hole in my belly with a Q-tip after my showers. About a month ago, I went to clean my innie; and the Q-tip would not go IN. The bottom of my innie is now on the surface on my belly...no longer a deep hole in thick layer of fat.

Sometimes, it isn't the difference in clothing sizes that give you a big revelation about the changes in your body. It is often 'a small change' in how you see yourself...a change that other people might never see or understand.

*****

So, how about you. When did you start seeing yourself thinner?