I have lost 39 pounds but...

Crystal0827
Crystal0827 Posts: 244 Member
edited December 18 in Motivation and Support
Daily I get comments or a compliments on how well I look since losing weight and I know in my head (way in the back of my head) I have done a good job and I am about 1/2 way to my goal weight but when I look in the mirror I am still so disgusted with myself. I point out every flaw, every flab of fat and feel like I look the same. I have taken comparison photos and I do notice a difference but not like others make it out to be and I actually will roll my eyes when some says I look skinny...I am far from skinny...but that is so rude of me, Why can't I be happy with myself, Why can't I thank someone for complimenting me, why do I feel as if I don't deserve these compliments. Is it because I know I am not "finished" losing weight? Is it because I am woman and way over analyze EVERYTHING? Is it because I am crazy? Maybe ugh....this journey is so about so much more then just losing weight, I have to "fix" my brain as well. Anyone else ever felt this way? :huh:

Replies

  • littlewitch1973
    littlewitch1973 Posts: 139
    I feel this way every day!!

    It takes a while for your head to catch up with your body when you lose weight. I have lost over 100lbs, and still have a hard time seeing it in the mirror. Yes, in side by sides, I see it, but I also have the same reaction when people call me "skinny" - I have another 100lbs to lose before I'm happy, but with the amount of weight I have lost, the difference is huge to the people around me.

    Did you keep a pair of jeans from your start weight? I did, and I put them on when I am having my "bad days" and thats when I can realize how far I have come. We always see our own flaws, and they are always clearer to us than everyone else - people look at you and see that you have lost weight - they dont study your rolls (if they could find them) or see every ounce of fat on your body. They see you losing weight, and how healthy you look - that is what they see.

    We are always harsher on ourselves. Be gentle on yourself - consider it a "work in progress" and celebrate your accomplishments.
  • BPayton27
    BPayton27 Posts: 626 Member
    Absolutely. A lot of us have spent a very significant time overweight. During that time, your self esteem struggled. I know mine sure did. I have lost over 60 pounds in 6 months and I still see a big person in the mirror. I am far from happy with myself. People call this a "journey," and I agree. It is just as much about losing weight and becoming healthy as it is rediscovering ourselves and confidence. I am giving my mind some time to catch up with my body. I TRY to take in the compliments with a smile, but it's hard. Continue to remind yourself how far you've come. Eventually the switch will flip.
  • roachhaley
    roachhaley Posts: 978 Member
    I definitely feel this way. I started out weighing 150 at 5'3". After a few months I now weigh 129. I'd like to lose another 10 or 15. At first I thought I'd get down to 135 and stop there... haha... if only. I'm concerned I'll never feel good about my body. Every time I think "yeah, 115 is a great weight" I hear about someone else who is 100 and then I want to look like them. It's especially bad because people have barely noticed. Meh.
  • PSmillie
    PSmillie Posts: 26 Member
    I felt the same way for a long time. I'm down about 60 pounds from where I started, and for a long time, didn't see the difference. All of the sudden, I hit 50 lbs and was blown away by how I looked. I've heard some people notice the difference at 15 lbs, some at 40, some at 80. I think everyone has a different magic number, you just have to be patient to find yours.
  • Crystal0827
    Crystal0827 Posts: 244 Member
    Thanks everyone. I am glad to know I am not alone and I am not crazy.....or at least I hope not.
  • angelina2585
    angelina2585 Posts: 273 Member
    No you're definitely not alone. I do wonder if it's a female thing too. Why not try to think positive things and if someone compliments you, smile and say thank-you. I tried it last week after a colleague I hadn't seen for a while commented that my face looks slimmer and that I look as if I've lost lots of weight. You know, even if she was 'just' saying it, it made me feel better to react in a positive way.

    The fact that she wanted me to share my secret and her smile and shoulders dropped when I told her I've been calorie-counting is irrelevant ;) I guess she thought someone had just waved a wand at me to melt the lbs away :)
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