"Phantom fat"

I lost my weight in 2015 and I'm still really bad at judging what size I need when I'm, say, shopping for clothes. I'll look at something and think "there's no way I will fit into that."

It's really not something that ever manifests outside of those situations though.

I don’t see much difference in the mirror but I know I’ve changed. Size 6 shorts I couldn’t even pull up last year now fit perfectly. But I don’t look that different to my own eyes.
When trying on or ordering clothes I often grab things that are too big now.

Other people have told me I’ve changed a lot but I can’t see it yet.

Jayj180894 wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

I lost my weight in 2015 and I'm still really bad at judging what size I need when I'm, say, shopping for clothes. I'll look at something and think "there's no way I will fit into that."

It's really not something that ever manifests outside of those situations though.

Sometimes I look in the mirror and think I am Exactly the same and recently its been more times than not I don't think I have changed. I wish I had measured from the very start, would of been better. I use scales and progress pictures, but don't really take them incase I can't see any progress. Weight loss is such a roller-coaster of a journey! Who'd of thought when your scrolling threw Instagram and can lose 10 every week for 10 weeks lol!

I guess it depends on the degree as to whether this is a problem

The sort of things posters above described - minor observations, not problematic.

However if you are having a real body dysmorphia thing where you lose weight but keep seeing yourself as fat despite significant weight loss - do seek help.
These things can be factors in anorexia.

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Oh, man, yes, I experience(d) that!

I don't think I have or had an unhealthy view, but I definitely had trouble internalizing the idea of my own changed size . . . but I'd been obese for around 30 years or so.

I didn't see the differences accurately while they were happening (weight loss was 5+ years ago), even in some photographs that I can see a difference in now. I would find myself moving over in narrow hallways to make room to pass someone, or turning sideways to go through a narrow space, when I didn't at all need to. At first, clothes in the proper size looked *absurdly*, impossibly small (went from around US 18W to Misses 6 in just under a year).

Even now, in a store, the things that will fit look a bit small, though my old sizes now look surprisingly big, so there's been progress.😆

I experienced this too. I also went from a size 18-20W (and was heading into 22-24 category when I decided to change things) to size 8-10ish. I would have never dreamed I would have even been able fit a leg into the size I wear now, the idea seemed absurd. It took me awhile in the mirror too, although mostly it was the mental stigma I carried around with me. I was obese through my teens up until I was into my 30s, so I still carried the "fat girl" mentality for awhile when I'd be out with friends or in my dance group (even though when I see photos now, I had become one of the smallest members in the group!). That major part of my weight loss was about 7 years ago...I've slowly adjusted over time.

spiriteagle99 wrote: »

I always carried weight in my belly, thighs and calves. After losing 55 lbs. I still have extra weight in my belly, thighs and calves. When I look down at my body, I see only the fat. When I see a photo or look in a full length mirror I am always shocked at how small I actually am. I can see the bones in my upper body, and I read the scale regularly, so I know I am on the low end of a healthy weight for me. Sometimes I think I would do better to gain 5-10 lbs. But then I look at that round belly and say to myself, "No, not yet."

I also carry my weight in the same places, too, plus the back of my arms. I logically also know I will not have the same flat stomach I did 23 years ago at the same weight, before 2 kids and 2 c-sections and frequent bloat. I also logically know I have wide shoulders that are not "fat," and a broad, muscular back that are in relative proportion to my hips (with those actually being a bit narrower now). This has been my body shape since I was a kid--back in the 80's when shoulder pads were in, even as a young teen I had to take the shoulder pads out because my shoulders were broad enough.

Recently, though, I've been focusing on the flaws, even though I haven't been technically overweight in years, and lost about 8 more in the past year. I just see my flabbiness and how "wide" I am. I'm a recovering perfectionistic thinker, though, so it's hard for me to ever accept being "good enough."

callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »

to a certain extent, almost everyone has some form of body dysmorphia. We are so used to being and seeing, a certain size in the mirror, our brains have a hard time seeing the changes. Just as we dont always see our size going UP in the mirror.

This reminds me of the time I just glanced at the mirror as I was passing and had a momentary freakout because I thought I was my mother. My brain caught up after a few moments, but it was still freaky. Then I realized I'd reached the age she was when I have my first clear, distinct memories of her, so whatever I noticed about my own reflection in passing probably triggered some recognition pattern I'd forgotten about.