why can't i see a difference?

i've been on mfp since june...have lost 42lbs and near my goal weight, everyone tells me how good i look and how small i've become although im wearing smaller sizes i still can't see a difference! when i look in the mirror i still see the overweight person i was months ago! does anyone else feel like this??

Maybe you should do before/ after pics...I used to feel like that until I kept taking pics so I can compare from where I was 52 pounds ago

I like the take a pic and compare it to your old pic idea above.

Also, Put on some of your old clothes and watch them fall off.

I didn't see a difference until a few months ago....It is definately a mental road block. At least for me it was. If you have been over weight for a long time it is hard to finally see the person you have been wanting to see in the mirror. As said before...Pictures...Pictures...Pictures. It helps to see where you started and where you finally are

I am 100% with you on this one!!! I started in February at 240, I am now 190. I've lost 50lbs, and I really don't see it. People tell me they see it, and I'm down from a 22/24 jean to a loose size 16, but I just don't see it. I've got another 25-50 to go to get to my goal, so I'm hoping I see more of a change then!!

I did a side by side comparison of two pics just this morning, and while I can tell theres a change, I still see the same fat person. I still have a lot of work to do to get where I want to be.

Sometimes it takes your brain a little longer to catch up with the changes in your body.

Exactly what she said. While I haven't lost forty something pounds, I have lost a little over 30. And while people comment sometimes, I still see the old me in the mirror as well. I do wear smaller sizes, I do notice suttle things, like I can see my collarbones, but size wise, I still see the old me. It will take a while, but know that you have accomplished is a great deal. Keep up the good work

I struggle with a disconnect between how I see myself and what I actually look like. I have gone from over 235 pounds to 150 and have basically felt exactly the same about myself. Even when I see the pictures of myself at 150, I don't really see it as being me. It feels like I'm looking at a picture of a stranger. I think that has a lot to do with why I have gained some of the weight back, as I still felt fat and would eventually fall into the same habits. I think I have improved, but it seems to be an extremely long and slow process for me. All I can say to you is that I have some understanding of how you feel. For me, my years of poor self-image are a lot to overcome, and I just have to keep working at it.

I was the same way until very recently. Everyone told me how great I looked, but I never really processed it because I still saw the same fat girl in the mirror. However, a recent picture of my brought everything into sharp focus. I finally realized for myself that I really did look good. I've lost 50 pounds, and while I'm still chunky around my middle, I realize now how far I've come. Just from one little picture.

My profile pic is the result of me telling someone that I didn't really notice my weight loss. I had to admit that I did see a difference after the comparison was made clear.

If you ever watch The Biggest Loser, you will see this a lot. You have been thinking of yourself as overweight for a long time probably and you just can't process how much better you look! There is a lot more to being "fit" then weight loss, there is mentally fit as well. Maybe the factors that led you to eat to begin with are still with you and your self-esteem hasn't kept up as the pounds dropped off. You just need to get real with yourself and realize...MAN! I JUST DROPPED 42 POUNDS!! Be proud of yourself and your accomplishments! You have worked hard..it's time to start loving yourself and seeing yourself as the new and improved version! If people are telling you you look better...BELIEVE THEM and BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!