90lbs down - When will I FEEL the dfference?????

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  • NewFitKeri
    NewFitKeri Posts: 190 Member
    Congrats!

    For me, I pay attention to how I feel doing things that most take for granted...such as feeling lighter walking...try paying attention to little things like that. Is it much easier for you to do most things now? Relish in those moments and hopefully you'll start to actually feel it.

    Keep up the hard work!
  • catherinergrunden
    catherinergrunden Posts: 14 Member
    You are experiencing a perfectly normal thought process after losing a lot of weight. I struggled with it for months. I was even considering therapy at one point because I just couldn't see or feel the 100 pound difference. It's hard for someone that hasn't lost a lot of weight to understand. I lost 100 pounds but still saw the old me in the mirror. That's no joke, either. I literally thought I still looked exactly the same! Mentally I KNEW I was wearing six sizes smaller but physically I thought I looked the same. Kinda freaked me out!

    Comparing pictures has really helped. The mirror just doesn't cut it. I also took my husband out to the mall and made him point out women that had a similar body size as me. That was an eye opener! I'd point out someone I thought I looked like, and he just laughed. Then he'd point out someone my size and I'd be astonished! This may sound strange, allowing my husband to check out other women. But I really had no concept of what I looked like. It really helped. Of course, he then asked if I needed him to compare breast size, too. Men :P

    It will take awhile for your brain to catch up to your body. But it will happen eventually!
  • maysflower
    maysflower Posts: 180
    First off, congrats on your success. I do know how you feel. I'm down 75 lbs, but I still feel as big as I did before my weight loss. I think that I will "feel" my weight loss when I no longer have a muffin top or flabby thighs and when I put on a bathing suit and not feel like I need to cover up. Everyone is different, and I'm sure you will feel your weight loss at some point. Just keep going, keep a smile on your face and it will happen. Stay positive.
  • jenalderman
    jenalderman Posts: 411 Member
    LOL.....thank you so much for posting this! I thought it was just me! I was starting to think that I had become obsessed or had some sort of disorder! I have to remind myself literally EVERY day that I'm not fat any more, I too go to the big girl sizes first and then I'm surprised when I can't find a size 7 there. I start to head into the handicapped toilet stall when I remember that I can actually fit in the regular ones now. I also sometimes catch myself still making derogatory remarks about my body. This one I am getting a lot better about and I'm pretty quick to apologize to myself and remind myself of where I started and where I am today. The only time I truly feel like a thin person now is when I'm running. I'm with you. I can't wait until my mind catches up with my body.
  • Hawksbillus
    Hawksbillus Posts: 128 Member
    I don't know what your exercise program is like, but if you've lost a lot of weight through diet alone or with a lot of cardio, you may feel skinnier, but still feel weak. One thing that has helped me a lot lately has been to add strength training to my workout. It's only been 3 weeks, but I've not only lost some more weight, but I feel strong and powerful. It's totally changed how I "feel" about my body, even though I'm only 1/3 of the way to my weight goal.

    This article is one that convinced my wife to start strength training with me 4-5 days a week.

    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    After she read this she said: "I want to be her!!!"
  • katysmelly
    katysmelly Posts: 380 Member
    I once saw an episode of Extreme Makeover (the only one I've ever watched, actually) in which they took a young woman who had had a disfiguring accident as a young child and fixed her face.

    They also gave her charm and etiquette lessons. Why?

    They knew it wasn't enough for her to look in the mirror and see a pretty face... she had internalized a self-image of Quasimodo and that wasn't going to go away all by itself. They wanted to give her some confidence-boosting poise tips so that she could carry herself like the beautiful woman she was.

    It was a really heart-warming episode - she looked fantastic. I mean, she was at least an "8" if not a "9" and when she walked into the room and graciously greeted her family with a big smile, everybody burst into tears. But, I digress.

    Anyway, my point is that it's going to take a while for what you've internalized to catch up with your exterior.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    First off, congrats on your success!!

    There are days when I'm almost surprised at how people react to my changes. Just yesterday I ran into a girl in my office that I hadn't seen in a while and she just raved about how good I looked and even hugged me! Thing is, compliments from others, as heart warming and wonderful as they are, are fleeting. Unless you feel that same joy from within, you can't fully absorb it and believe it.

    Two things have helped me fully realize my progress so far...

    First, take a look at some old pictures and pull out that pair of pants or dress or whatever you still have hanging in your closet from when you were at your heaviest. Take a real good look at the differences you've made and really think about how far you've come and all the hard work you've put into it. You need to be proud of what you've done! It's not all about the number on the scale. It's about your improved health and well-being as well. Also think about how you can move around better now and have more energy, etc. And how your eating habits and coping skills (going for a walk instead of reaching for the cookies) may have changed too. Start a journal or blog if that helps get your thoughts going...

    Second, I totally agree with getting on the fitness bandwagon. Not sure what you're doing for exercise now but maybe it's time to add some challenges like say you walk but you could walk farther or faster, or maybe even try running and/or sign up for an event. If you're not doing strength training, try adding that in. Or maybe join a sports team or hike somewhere you've always wanted to - the possibilities are endless!
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    first, it takes time for your brain to catch up.
    second, you have to work hard on remembering all the stuff that was awesome that you loved about yourself before you lost the weight and cultivate it.
    third, let go of her.

    it sounds terrible, but the girl you used to be... wasnt in a healthy state of mindan body and she may have held on toa lot of fear. You woke up and changed one day because you didnt want that anymore, you wanted something different, right?

    she would want you to be happy.

    so take the time, to let your brain catch up, and let her go. She served her purpose and got you here- so take the best and run with it.

    It WILL happen, I promise.

    pretty soon you'll be dancing around in front of your mirror taking dirty pictures and you wont remember exactly how you USED to look, only how small you feel now.

    Its ok :)
  • whpd700516004
    whpd700516004 Posts: 4 Member
    Its just in your mind find ur self a thearpist.
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