Body Image Thoughts - probably only a woman only thread?

it sometimes takes a while to adjust to a new body in such a relatively short time. what you're saying isn't much different than any other weight loss success

It feels good to lose the weight, but be careful. If you've reached your target, stop weighing yourself, buy a wardrobe that fits now and stick with that. It's easy to want to keep on going--and can be trouble. For me it felt really good when people kept commenting how good I looked after losing weight that I became obsessed with it. Sound like you're at a healthy weight--enjoy it!!

It's possible you have a body image problem - but not really something anyone here could diagnose for you. It's also possible that you aren't really at your ideal weight yet; I've no idea what your build is, so I can't guess at that, either. It's also possible that after that much weight, you have loose skin that's making you feel fat. If you still see rolls, it's easy to forget that the silhouette underneath is much thinner.

I'd consider these possibilities, perhaps in consultation with your doctor, and decide what to do accordingly - give it time, lose some more, see a surgeon or a therapist - who knows?

Good luck on your journey - you've really done the hard part - you can do whatever it is that remains to be done!

I think that when we look into the mirror we see what we perceive we are, not what we really are. When I was in HS, I got down to 160 or so lbs. I still thought I looked really overweight. Now, when I look back at pictures I think, "wow, I didn't look too bad there." I realize I was still over weight, but I looked a lot better than I thought I did.

I think this is a universal issue. I have lost 15 pounds and while I see parts of myself improving, I tend to focus on what isn't changing and what I am not satisfied with. Forget that I am starting to see abs - I still focus on the fat on my thighs

Today in zumba class there was a 15 year old with a baggy tee on. Her mom finally got her to take it off as it was super hot - she had on a form fitting top. She was super self conscious in that top - despite the fact that she is built like you wouldn't believe. I told her never to be ashamed of her body, she is a beautiful young lady. I also told her if I looked like that I would walking through town with a megaphone calling people out

I think we all have thoughts like this all the time. I know for myself the more I improve my image the more I see what else I can work on. But progress is great and it just makes you work harder towards your goal.

Very well said and encouraging!!

Many People who have had dramatic wt loss have that feeling. They can't SEE it in the mirror. But You MUST learn to trust your clothes size and the scales. Also, learn to take the compliments, you deserve them...you put in some Hard Work! You will have to RE-Teach yourself NOT to think like a FAT person. Not that being "Fat" is a bad thing but there is a "Mentality" that goes with that thinking...Many Obese/overweight, whatever you want to call it do not feel "Worthy" of GOOD Things (Some Over-compensate, Some Settle for Less.) Just learn to be Yourself, and if you don't like that person, CHANGE. You know how that goes because You Changed Your Lifestyle around Food...

I always tell women, in particular (because most men will have a gut hittin da ground and think Ms. America ain't good enough for them)... ACCEPT, VALUE, LOVE and RESPECT YOURSELF, Right Now, Just As You Are...What You thought that was in the past probably has now changed, so Learn what it NOW means and Do it for Yourself, and Others will follow suit.

I feel exactly the same way, and it's something I've been discussing with my family a lot lately. I've lost 80 lbs and have 20 more that I want to lose. I still refer to myself as a "chubby" girl, even though I'm not chubby at all anymore. I "know" it, but I can't "see" it. My sister-in-law even called me "tiny" the other day and told me how jealous she was, and all I could think was "If only you could see me naked ..." Part of my problem is that I've always been overweight. I haven't always been fat, but I've never been skinny, so I don't know what a skinny me looks like. I have no mental frame of reference to use as a guide so that I know when enough is enough.

The truth is, my midsection is the only part of my body that I'm not happy with right now. My arms and legs could use a little more work, but I am actually quite happy with where they are now. It's just that when I look in the mirror after I get out of the shower, all I see is my still-flabby stomach, not my toned arms and sculpted thighs and hard butt that have come from all those push-ups and deadlifts and squats and lunges.

I have doubled up on my cardio and reconfigured my diet in hopes of getting rid of the stomach fat, but what I realize now is that my body will never be exactly as I want it to be. The closer I get to to my original goals, the more I'm going to say "this isn't good enough ... I can do more." I'm hoping that as my stomach gets smaller, my mind will catch up with my body and I'll be able to say "You can stop now."