"When did you start seeing yourself thinner?"
Hanfordrose
Posts: 688 Member
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?
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?
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Replies
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Well I sort of refused to buy smaller clothes becuase I knew I was losing more weight and didn't want to waste money. I finally gave in and bought size 10 jeans (two pairs) and that's when I felt smaller. Because they looked smaller and they fit me. Then when I saw the pictures of me wearing them, my legs look so tiny! The difference was between wearing pants that were too big for me and putting on jeans that fit.
It was crazy. Also, this is going to sound crazy, but when I see my hand they just look tinier to me.0 -
Also, this is going to sound crazy, but when I see my hand they just look tinier to me.
That's not crazy. We lose weight all over our body. I had to have all my rings resized, because my fat fingers got skinner; and my rings were falling off my fingers. Even my wristwatch is slipping down my arm again. I will need to take out some links in the band again real soon.0 -
I think it really is all about the clothes and the underwear. Getting to the point that I absolutely could not put off buying new clothes any longer, my shirts were all baggy, my pants would not stay on, my underwear bunching up inside my too big pants. I currently have only have one pair of pants that fits, I can't even keep my lounge pants up anymore. And I just ordered a ball dress in the same size I wore to Prom 11 years ago, that was such a shock that I pulled the prom dress out of storage, and sure enough, perfect fit. Mayde me feel almost like my old self, and I'm seeing myself with new eyes0
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Love your pictures and your attitude!!!!
I have lost 17 pound total & just this weekend I realized I can wear some of my "skinny" clothes - and did!
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This is why photos are so important!
Like you, I didn't realize that I was "skinny" until I started comparing photos, which is crazy because everything (my clothes, the scale, and my friends) kept telling me "hey, you're looking good!" For some reason, my brain could not accept that I actually looked different until I could compare my before pics to my current pics.0 -
After the first ten pounds. (I'm really short.)0
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Officially just took off my wedding rings after 75# because they fell off in the shower. I can't risk losing them, so I took them off until I have time to get them sized later this week! As far as the rest of my body, I'm still fighting that "fatvision." That's going to take some time!0
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I gained about 20-25 lb, went up to a size 12, then I really needed to be in a 14, but I refused to buy ANOTHER set of fat pants in an even bigger size. lol
I first noticed when the 12s actually fit me again and the muffin top went away lol. I can't wait till I have that experience with 10s...and maybe 8s. We'll see about the 8s....0 -
I first noticed that my rings were not longer too tight. That was wonderful. The next step I noticed was when my shirts were actually a little loose around the rib cage, upper abdominal area. I was so excited! (I gain weight in my belly mostly.) It really does help to get a new shirt or pants to see what changes have taken place for me! Thank you for another wonderful post, Sue!0
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I don't yet and it has been over a year of losing weight. My highest weight was 254, and I started MFP at 226, so over 100lbs lost from my highest weight now. I see it in pictures, but there is so much more to lose. I am getting closer to fitting into the size 10 jeans I got from AE and yet am in disbelief over them. In my mind, all my clothes are just really big and are more like one or two sizes bigger than what the tags say. I am hoping I get that moment of seeing myself for what I am sooner than later.0
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when people started calling me "naturally thin" LOL. Yeah right! I love telling them I used to fat, so no, nothing "natural" about this body.0
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This really is a great question, kudos to you making it a post for others to sit back and consider.
I'm surprised at how difficult this is for me to answer. I mentally know I am smaller, see it in clothing and at the scale and along the measuring tape but I didn't recognize it when it happened. I actually had a picture taken of me yesterday (I'm usually the photographer so that doesn't happen often) and it was taken with my camera, I uploaded the photos today and thought who's that, actually giggled when I realized it was me and that I looked pretty darn good.
I still don't see myself as others do, not sure if I ever will but I like the way I feel, that's the best reflection I could have.0 -
I still don't see myself as thinner, unfortunately.
Congratulations on your transformation, and hard work!!!0 -
When I pulled out the "skinny clothes" box from the back of the closet and realized that I didn't have to squeeze into any of it - it all fit well, and looked better on me this go around.
Better than when I could see myself as thinner, though, was when I could believe myself to be fitter and stronger. I always knew I could lose the weight again someday, but to get stronger? Part of me really convinced myself that I was a write-off in that department.
Happy to know I was dead wrong.0 -
I've been on this journey to a healthier version of me for about 14 months now and i still don't see myself as smaller. i keep trying to shop in plus size stores. I'm completely lost when it comes to shopping for clothes as i've been overweight my whole life. I know i've lost alot of weight. I see the scale and tape measure changing. I notice when i sit in my car that i have to adjust the seat forwards, i notice that i'm getting attention from men that i've never gotten before. I know that i only have 2 outfits (refusing to buy more until i get to goal) that actually fit me properly. I know all of these things in my head, but i'm still shocked when i see my own reflection. I do notice i'm a heck of a lot more critical of my body now than when i weighed 300lbs. I don't understand why i can't see my weightloss, it's weird and hopefully i just need more time to adjust.0
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Hi All,
For me it was when the security guard in our office building stopped me and said that I needed to take a new picture for my badge. Our building has some pretty serious security (work in the financial industry) and our picture flashes up on the guard's computer when we badge in, just so they can tell that the badge belongs to the person using it. Well, a new guard had recently started and almost stopped me from entering the building since he didn't think that I was the same person as the photo that popped up. The senior guard on duty knows me and had seen my gradual weight loss so he knew that I hadn't stolen the badge. When the new pic was taken I looked at it compared to the old one and that was when it really hit me how much I had changed. I looked very different and I actually liked the way I looked. I keep the old badge photo on the mirror in my bathroom to remind me of how far I've come.
Edited: My ticker shows 0 pounds lost since I just started back and am trying to lose those last pesky 20 or so pounds....my total weight lost so far is 80lbs0 -
About 40 lb down, when I started seeing & feeling muscle in my hips & arms & shoulders.
Then I took in my pants 8" in the waist.
I can look in the mirror & see a few trouble spots (belly, back of arms, a little in the hips) but overall I think I'm doing OK, and I'm only halfway to my goal.0 -
For me it was when I had to move my wedding ring to my middle finger for fear of losing it....and then almost lost it off that finger! Plus I tried on my wedding dress (from 25 years ago) and it is too big! I feel better than I did those pounds ago and need to stay on track to finish my goal.0
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I'll let you know...0
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by the way OP - you are amazing...this is for you :flowerforyou: and :drinker:0
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When my spotter went to assist me on squats and I didn't feel his fingers sink into my fat folds. I actually cried!0
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On Friday, I was feeling so fat when I saw my reflection. Then on Sunday, I put on some jeans that I could just fit into a month ago and now they are loose. Also, someone said I looked thinner today too. But I still can't see it. Even when I take pics I still can't see it.0
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For me the beginning of really seeing my change was like a one time event. I remember it perfectly! I went into the parking lot of my office building one day last Fall when I was at around 200-210 lb (from previous HW of 307 and my "usual" weight being around 270 for many years) and coming back into the building I saw my reflection in the glass doors unexpectedly... It was like "BAM! I am a different person that I don't recognize!?!"...I felt like I was looking at someone's average-ish, long legged late 30's aunt. Before that I always saw myself as perpetually 25 and fat/round. It was jarring.
A year later and down another 30+ lb, it is still a bit jarring for me to see photographs, particularly full body photos with other people alongside me. It's kind of the same effect as in years past when I was shocked to see myself dwarfing all of my girlfriends...only now I'm shocked to see that I'm roughly the same size as they are, just taller and sometimes "bigger yet bonier" than them. I'll take it though :-)0 -
Wow- I was JUST talking to my friend about this. I am around 85 pounds down so far and I have a about 10 to 15 left. I still don't see myself as I am. When I look in the mirror I see my hair, makeup and my outfit...but i dont see the changes in my body. I can look at before and after pictures and see a difference, but in real life...not at all. I remember walking thru the mall a few months ago and was walking alongside a set of mirrors and I did a double take. I didn't recognize myself. It's something that really bothers me, because I am scared that it will never be good enough...0
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When I saw a short video of myself not too long ago doing the ALS ice bucket challenge. As I watched the video I remember thinking to myself - oh my goodness - you actually look thin! But I still look at the smaller clothes I'm into now (14's and large instead of 20W and 2X) and think that they still look big....0
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OP, you are awesome! And I hope to notice some changes soon... I'm down 30+ pounds with a lot to go.0
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When I saw a short video of myself not too long ago doing the ALS ice bucket challenge. As I watched the video I remember thinking to myself - oh my goodness - you actually look thin! But I still look at the smaller clothes I'm into now (14's and large instead of 20W and 2X) and think that they still look big....
I am kind of the opposite, I laugh at my size 10 and 12 jeans coming out of the dryer because they just do not look like they would even fit onto my leg, to me. Yet they do fit just fine. It's weird. The only time this has really caused problems for me is when thrift shopping because sometimes (especially with larger items) people will cut the tags out, so you have to eyeball an item...I was size 22/2X for so many years that my brain sees that as "the right size for me" even though I know I'm smaller now, so I really need the tags on everything to know what's a 12, L, etc.0 -
OP, you are absolutely amazing.
I only started to see the changes once I started buying smaller clothes. Also, pictures help tremendously.
But I think that part of me will always see me as a fat person. No matter how thin I get.0 -
Wow - you have done amazing!!!
What I love is how you're smiling in both the before and after shots - you seem like a really warm, happy person - and I'm happy for you for all you've achieved!0 -
My head knows I'm thinner - my eyes don't see it.0
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