What was your first “I’m getting fat” realization?

I've struggled with appreciating my body since I hit puberty and went from borderline underweight to borderline overweight in what felt like overnight. In spite of the fact that I stayed within +/-5 pounds of a normal BMI through my mid 20s, I always thought deep down I was fat and figured I would be forever, just like my mom and most of my aunts. This hurt me when I actually started gaining weight in my late twenties because even though I'd obviously made lifestyle changes that were hurting me and could see the number on the scale going up when I weighted myself every few weeks or months, I still saw the same fat girl in the mirror I'd been seeing since I was 13 which let me stay resigned to my fate much longer than I wish I had. I never had that "OMG I'm FAT!" moment. It took maybe six years to actually start reversing that process, with a big kick in the pants being not wanting to replace my wardrobe for a third time.

Huh, I don't think I ever pieced that together before. Thanks for the thread, OP!

I always had self-esteem/body issues when I was in my teens until once 'wake up call' at the beach. (another story) After that I resolved to accept myself for who I was at any time in my life. There was no realization, no 'oh my gosh, I'm fat'

I knew I was obese, I could see that in the mirror.

I was in denial about how much I ate, that realization was an eye opener. I logged my calories before I made any changes and was flabbergasted at how much food I ate. I assumed I just needed to cut back on my supper or 1 snack. lol.

My son grabbed my phone and caught a video of me while I was unaware. He showed me the video and I looked soooo awful. I already knew that my clothes were getting too tight and I couldn't fit in some things, but that video made me want to curl up and die. I decided to do whatever I had to in order to lose the weight.

first was I noticed when I sat down I hav a fat roll from my rib area and a fat roll from my hip and they rubbed together, it drove me crazy, but it wasnt til I stepped on the scale and seen I was the same weight that I was the day before my oldest so was born that I realized I needed to do something

then I lost 36lbs, was happy, married my 8 1/2 year fiance, lol, got pregnant with my 4th, and gained it all back, and ive slowly been losing it since, not sure what triggered it this time, but Im back at it full force again.

I pulled a muscle trying to wipe my bum.

I came to visit my grandfather last year. He was in the final months of his life, 90+ years old, mostly sleeping and often not remembering who we were.

My mom warned me that he might not be awake for he visit and, even if he were awake, he wouldn't remember me.

Sure enough, the old man was sleeping when I came in. After some rousing, he finally woke up, looked at me, focused his failing eyes and said, "you got *kitten* fat."

I knew then I should probably lose some weight.

(This is 100% a true story btw)

Reviewing photos from the past 3 years and recently. Noticing a different person in each photograph, and the miserable look on my face with the weight gain. Also including negative comments from family and friends.

For some reason, I was able to ignore all the pictures, weigh-ins, and tight clothes that I already had. If something didn't fit me, I'd go and get something else that did. I mean, the tag size is just a number right? No one can see it!

Didn't hit me until all of the size 18 pants (US) I was wearing were too tight and my belly was hanging over them. I couldn't bear to buy anything starting with 20 (and by then, I'd probably be closer to 22s!) so that Memorial Day 2012 I decided to make changes.

I honestly can't remember a time when I didn't think that I was fat.

I actually had the reverse reaction. I only realized how fat I was after I lost weight. My high self-confidence was keeping me fat I knew how to dress myself to hide all my fat and still look good. After losing all this weight I'm looking at pictures from the past 15 years that's when it hits me, I was really big! When you are pear-shaped all your fat is stored on the hips. So I always looked small up top regardless of my size. When I was 13 my pediatrician said I was big boned. I just assumed that meant I was never meant to be small. Even when I was 180lbs, I'm 5'2", with high blood pressure I didn't think I was fat.