What if you lose all of the weight?

I sort of worry about that sort of stuff. I'm following a similar plan to what the other person mentioned, losing weight slowly (I'm actually only doing 1lb a week most of the time) I'm also combining in some strength exercise too (focusing on toning)

I heard someone once talk about how even though they had lost almost all their weight in a year, it took them several years to lose it mentally. They still saw themselves as a "overweight" person and had a hard time "losing" some of the ways of thinking that went along with it. I definitely find that to be true.

I feel the same way, I've lost 22 pounds since my weight loss journey, some would say I'm thin, but I still feel like there is so much more to lose. I think that it will take time to stop having a distorted view of ourselves and I think that people who had to work to be thin will always struggle with body image

I have that Fantasy of once i'm thin i'll be the hotter one and i'll show them...but then reality hits me in my face that i still have not lost as much weight as my sisters or my friends. That it's a long hard road. but it will be worth it because than I can go around with my head held high knowing i did this for myself and i look freakin hot!

Enjoy your journey and don't worry nor fret for in all due time things will work they way they will need to. I often think about lose skin but as long as you hit those weights hard not girly ones but actually progressively getting heavier weights you will blow your own mind.

Honestly, yes, I've had all those same thoughts before losing weight.
And honestly, after losing 30lbs, there are some changes that I'm not thrilled with.
But it's just looks. Everyone's looks are going to go away eventually. All of us will have wrinkled skin and saggy boobs, no matter how much surgery we can afford--it's inevitable! I'm trying to focus on the way I feel instead. I feel strong and energetic, and that is more important than how I look.
I see folks in their 70s and 80s who can still dance and yoga and swim and lift weights...and that is who I want to be someday.

Thank you
I do think I was falling for the Biggest Loser syndrome and was all about losing the weight as quickly as possible. I think I'm going to re-evaluate some things and start eating some of my exercise calories back. I'm a former athlete and know my way around a gym pretty well, in fact exercising is the one thing I've never had a problem with.
I feel like I'm learning so much and for once its sound advice and not gimmicky. I'm sure some trial and error will be in order. This isn't a diet its a way of life---and I've never tried to live a "healthy lifestyle" before.
Thanks again!

Excellent thinking, and even better, learning.

Forget the 1360 MFP suggested when you told it 2lbs a week.

Go for the 1860 when you select 1lb a week.

Closer to your BMR 1970, so you won't be slowing your metabolism down too much. And just increase your daily non-exercise activity as much as possible at first.

Everyone has had great suggestions! Just try to remind yourself, it's about overall physical health and how you feel, not to mention the great sense of accomplishment you will have when you reach your goal; any marks you have are battle scars!

In regards to stretch marks, I can tell you that they do fade overtime, but unfortunately many studies and research have shown that it's difficult to make them completely dissappear. I know that for me, Bio-Oil has been really helpful in minimizing them, as well as a little bit of self-tanner. And when I get frustrated with them, I refer to this:

I never thought about it when I started and I wish I had because it really made me sad when I found out that I had loose skin. However, if I really think about it, I would rather have some loose skin than be around 80 pounds overweight. I'm sure my boyfriend feels the same way and although I'm incredibly self-conscious about it - I was worse at 225. I feel much more attractive now and I'm much happier.

It's taken me more than a year and a half to lose 70 pounds and I still have the mentality that I'm fat. I still don't recognize myself in the mirror and I always assume that other girls are thinner than me when apparently that's not always the case. I feel weird next to my bean pole boyfriend but everyone else thinks we're precious and cute together. I don't look huge next to him anymore. I wonder if I'll ever get rid of the "fat girl" mentality but that's not what is important. What's important is that I am better, I am happier, I am more confident than I was, I am healthier, I no longer have to use my inhaler all the time, I've learned what self-control is, I enjoy exercising now, I crave water, and I'm improving more and more everyday.

That's more important than worrying about what might happen. You will be happier, you will be cuter, you will be healthier. A flat butt and love handles can be fixed with consistent working out. Loose skin depends on so many different factors, but don't worry about because it may not be something that you have to worry about. If you want to reduce the chance? Moisturize, exercise (cardio and weights), drink water, lose slow, and hope for the best.

Keep that mindset that you found and go forward. You can do it!

Edited for grammar

I've only been on this site for a few days and have already had success and found a mind set I didn't know I possessed in terms of weight loss and health. But I found myself thinking today, "what if I lose all of the weight and I still fall short of my expectations?"
What if I have a lot of skin left over? What if my stretch marks don't go away? What if I'm not as cute as I hoped I would be when I'm thin? What if I have a weird body shape with a flat butt and love handles that wont go away?----what if the reality wont be as good as the fantasy in my head of what it will be like when I'm thin?

Does anyone else have these thoughts or is just me? And if anyone does have these though how do you keep them from sabotoging your weight loss?

To be honest - I'd be surprised if anyone is ever entirely satisfied with their body. It seems to be human nature to want something that we don't have.... and when we have it, we find something else to crave!

Your basic body shape isn't going to change into something totally different when you lose weight, you are going to be a smaller and healthier version of you. And that's a great thing!

I am 20kg smaller than this time last year and I love being able to walk into a shop and fit into just about any size 12 (US 8). I love being able to walk up stairs without puffing and having to stop half way. I love being able to run and feeling good when I'm wearing shorts or a running skirt, I love it when I find old clothes (like last year works shirt that is 3 sizes bigger) and I realise how much smaller I am. I love feeling stronger both physically and mentally.

If I'm honest, I'm not so fond of my flabby inner thighs or the veins that stand out on the back of my hands or my stringy looking neck or the fact that my bra is only half full.

But, I'm willing to accept that the overall package looks and feels better, so I can live with those other things.

i would rather be fit and healthy with stretch marks than over weight and feeling like crap about myself.

Once your initial big surge of weight comes off, slow down and work on strengthening your body and feeling better about your diet.

The weight will come off and you will feel well-balanced and your skin will tighten, stretch marks will fade.

Perky boobs :laugh: :laugh:
Sorry I'm laughing hysterically because having children put paid to those over 28 years ago
Stretch marks yup got them to see above reply :happy:
I'm losing weight and this time keeping it off, yes the loss of perky boobs and the gaining of stretch marks and saggy skin sadden me at times, but then I look at my 2 awesome adult children and realise the trade off was worth it :bigsmile:
At 50 I'm thankful for all of the pluses in life, I'm loved (just the way I was) and as I am now, I'm enjoying a new lease on life and a new guy in my life :blushing: I am eating healthier and exercising daily - okay I can't do everything I used to do (arthritis makes me a little slower :grumble: ) but geez I'm have a blast at this time of my life and doing the things I want and not what others expect. So I say embrace who you are including the not so great things (stretch marks, not so perky boobs).
I got a negative comment once from a 'girl' at the gym about my stretch marks I simply smiled sweetly at her and said "These are called my life experiences...what's your excuse"

I've only been on this site for a few days and have already had success and found a mind set I didn't know I possessed in terms of weight loss and health. But I found myself thinking today, "what if I lose all of the weight and I still fall short of my expectations?"
What if I have a lot of skin left over? What if my stretch marks don't go away? What if I'm not as cute as I hoped I would be when I'm thin? What if I have a weird body shape with a flat butt and love handles that wont go away?----what if the reality wont be as good as the fantasy in my head of what it will be like when I'm thin?

Does anyone else have these thoughts or is just me? And if anyone does have these though how do you keep them from sabotoging your weight loss?

Never ever be satisfied is my answer. Think about it, you set yourself a goal: Lose 20lbs. You lost that and your satisfied with your body. You lose the motivation to diet, you put the weight back on. Only way you can work is if once you hit the 20lb goal you set a new one. If your happy with your weight perhaps add 5lbs of muscle or train to run a marathon - anything thatll keep you going.

EDIT - THink i may have misunderstood your post - Sorry, dont have any advice for stretch marks or anything like that =(