80 lbs lost but see no significant difference

look back at pictures and I bet you will see a difference

What about some of the older bigger clothes that you don't wear anymore? Put one on and notice the difference.

I felt the same way when I lost weight, because the change is so gradual and you likely look at yourself in the mirror everyday it is not as noticeable to you. Even pictures to me didn't do it..my friends and family would plead up and down they notice it but I never did.

What made it clear to me was clothes a pair of jeans I used to wear now immediately fell off of my waist. When I belted them on they bunched at the waist..that was when I knew that the 70lbs I lost was real.

You're sad? Girl, 80 pounds is 80 pounds! I understand that you want to see more of a difference, but you are doing great. You could 80 pounds heavier right now, but you've worked your butt off to get where you are. Keep pushing! & im sure there's a difference in how your clothes fit Congrats on the lost!

Take pictures! I often don't see changes in the mirror or even in how my clothes fit depending on where I'm losing it from. It's hard to be objective when you don't have a comparison directly. I'm sure if you look at pictures before and pictures now there are definitely going to be differences.

segacs wrote: »

I hear ya. I think you probably do have a big difference in your body from those 80 pounds lost.

But it could also be that, when we set out to lose weight, most of us think it's going to be this amazing life-changing thing with bells and whistles and a ticker tape parade when we're done. That all our problems will be solved, that we'll not only be slimmer and healthier, but also happier and more fulfilled.

The truth is, weight loss is just weight loss. Yes, it can be amazing to accomplish those interim or ultimate weight loss goals. But, as big an achievement as it is to have lost all that weight, it isn't going to be the be-all-end-all in life. If we're sad about certain things, or if we feel lonely or struggle with depression or have stress in life or difficulty in relationships, weight loss won't solve those problems.

It can be a bit of a letdown to think, 'okay, I lost all the weight, but my life still isn't amazing'. The only thing to do at that point is to put that feeling into perspective and focus on the things that really matter to you in life. Health in order? Check. What's next?

This is helpful to hear. I've lost 32 pounds and can't see any difference either. That's why I changed my profile picture to the side-by-side comparison it is now, so I can *try* to remind myself I look different.

I also changed jobs during this time, so people who knew me when I was fat(ter) have no idea that I've lost weight, and people who know me now have no idea I used to be bigger. I don't see my friends frequently enough, so I'm not sure how many of them saw me at my heaviest. Even with my pants barely staying on, it's been a little hard for me without getting feedback from other people. (stupid, I know).

segacs wrote: »

They might also simply not be all that observant. Most people aren't; people tend to focus on themselves, and not notice other people's weight / looks / haircuts / new glasses / whatever. Also, people you see regularly might not notice a big difference because weight loss is gradual -- you might be more likely to get comments from people who you haven't seen in a while.

This is so true. Most people simply don't notice things about other people. I have always been very observant, so sometimes it bugs me when people don't notice things like a haircut. I just joined MFP last week after already losing 21 pounds. My family members haven't noticed. But this time, at my age (59), I am doing this for me only, and not for the way I look, but for my health. I have knee, hip and back pain from this weight, and I hope it will stop when some of this poundage is gone.

Uptownplum, if you want to do something fun that has everything to do with weight loss and nothing to do with the way you look after, go pick up a couple of full gallons of milk at the grocery store. Together they weigh 17.2 pounds. I just did this, and I am amazed how heavy they are. I am no longer lugging that amount of weight around on my body and carrying it up stairs - what a relief! You have lost a couple pounds less than four gallons of milk! That is a LOT of weight that you are keeping off of your knees. It is a huge accomplishment - heck, my 21 pounds is a HUGE accomplishment for me, and I have 74 to go!!!

I hope this makes you feel a little better.

Good luck all.

MizzMaamI1 wrote: »

uvi5 wrote: »

From your profile pic, you don't in anyway look obese. I'm sure there would be a noticable difference, but you don't have other pictures to compare to. Congrats on the 80 Lbs down. That's a remarkable achievement!

I've mastered the skinny face angle
Hahah

lmao so have I ;p People were surprised when they found out I was nearly 300lbs. Most say I look less than 200. Psh, I WISH!

segacs wrote: »

I hear ya. I think you probably do have a big difference in your body from those 80 pounds lost.

But it could also be that, when we set out to lose weight, most of us think it's going to be this amazing life-changing thing with bells and whistles and a ticker tape parade when we're done. That all our problems will be solved, that we'll not only be slimmer and healthier, but also happier and more fulfilled.

The truth is, weight loss is just weight loss. Yes, it can be amazing to accomplish those interim or ultimate weight loss goals. But, as big an achievement as it is to have lost all that weight, it isn't going to be the be-all-end-all in life. If we're sad about certain things, or if we feel lonely or struggle with depression or have stress in life or difficulty in relationships, weight loss won't solve those problems.

It can be a bit of a letdown to think, 'okay, I lost all the weight, but my life still isn't amazing'. The only thing to do at that point is to put that feeling into perspective and focus on the things that really matter to you in life. Health in order? Check. What's next?

well said.

MizzMaamI1 wrote: »

uvi5 wrote: »

From your profile pic, you don't in anyway look obese. I'm sure there would be a noticable difference, but you don't have other pictures to compare to. Congrats on the 80 Lbs down. That's a remarkable achievement!

I've mastered the skinny face angle
Hahah

When did you start counting the pounds lost? From the heaviest while you were pregnant or after you had the baby? 20-30 pounds fall off immediately when you give birth for obvious reasons, aside from that if you feel like you aren't seeing a difference in the physique part of things although the scale says something else you may need to up the amount of cardio you are doing and add a bit of weight lifting. I realize these are general statements but you get the idea.

Regardless of what weight you are now you are on the right path to getting where you want to be, don't be discouraged by the "look". Part of the problem as to why people fail and abandon a healthy lifestyle is they don't think they are seeing results quick enough, realisticly if you were heavy before hand than you have to set a goal of getting thinner by 2-3 years, and than finally down to "toned" and end game within 3-5. I have a buddy of mine that was close to 400 pounds, he has changed his life around and has lost 90+ pounds but is still very large, but he realizes that it is not an over night nor is it something that happens in a few months.

Give yourself time, stick to your regiment, change your lifestyle and I am sure you will succeed in getting to where you want to be physically, good luck to you in future!

MizzMaamI1 wrote: »

I've mastered the skinny face angle
Hahah

Haha yes, this! A good camera angle is every woman's best friend. And a bad camera angle can make even the slimmest woman look like she's got five chins.

Perspective is an interesting thing!

I started at 310, and now have lost 71 lbs. Looking at myself, I know I still need to lose a lot more weight to be considered even approaching a healthy BMI. I know this and so I still see all of the rest of my fat in its wonderous glory. I know objectively that I've lost weight as the scale shows a smaller number, and my clothes all look like I'm a child playing dress up in an adult's closet, but as I'm still lumpy and bumpy, it can be hard to see the weight loss.

The last few weeks, however, I have seen people that I've not seen for a few weeks, or months, and all of them have looked at me and told me how good I look, and that I had clearly lost a lot of weight. One lady today (who didn't know that I was working on losing weight) told me that I was the "incredible shrinking lady". This confirms to me that my weight loss is noticeable, and obvious, but it is just my perspective that is off.

I know other people looking at me would think that I need to lose 70 lbs (I do), but in perspective, I must look different, I feel different, and I'm working on being a healthy weight and that is what is important.

Great job on the loss, and remember to try to keep things in perspective.

I felt exactly the same way at 80 pounds, until I found a "before" picture that I didn't know I had. I put them side-by-side and compared. That was very helpful in getting my head around how much my body had actually changed.



How is 80 the same as 100? I just hit 91 pounds loss today and it has been a LONG journey here from 80.