when does the fatter me in the mirror go away?

rchambers2072
rchambers2072 Posts: 227 Member
in Motivation and Support
When will I see the skinnier me in the mirror that others see? All I see now is the same old fatter me. I've lost 77 pounds for Pete's sake. My pants are falling off me and my ring keeps falling off. I've lost a shoe size even! So why is it all I see is the fatter me???

Replies

  • Lift_This_
    Lift_This_ Posts: 2,756 Member
    i feel the same way...especially when i take pics of me looking into the mirror....have no clue how to fix it.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Shortly after you see a picture of you that shocks you. A friend took a picture that I wasn't aware of and I couldn't believe how thin I looked. I still fight what I see in the mirror, but now it's only parts and not me as a whole. We have to train our brains to think different and it just takes a while.
  • Bobby_Clerici
    Bobby_Clerici Posts: 1,828 Member
    My fat face shrunk last, and one of the things I am now worrying about is wrinkles.
    I do not want to be one of those fit older guys with a 6-pack but a shriveled face like a prune.
    Just be patient...and be careful what you ask for!
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    it's a mental thing...I have a sorta opposite problem--I *feel* skinny, then I look in the mirror and see the fat girl :(

    Hoping some day the girl in my mind, and the girl in the mirror are the same.
  • Pimpmonkey
    Pimpmonkey Posts: 566
    i feel the same way...especially when i take pics of me looking into the mirror....have no clue how to fix it.
    OMG I love your profile pic!!!!!


    A lot of times we never truly see the skinnier us that everyone else sees.
  • lilcupcake213
    lilcupcake213 Posts: 545 Member
    Because we are the most critical when it comes to ourselves. Until we can face facts that the progress we've made is something to be praised, whether small or huge, we won't truly be happy with ourselves and will always see the "old me" staring back at us. We always see room for improvement, which is a good thing. But we need to stop looking at ourselves as unchanged and see the progress we've made. Plus looking at ourselves everyday doesn't help either!
  • AlicynH
    AlicynH Posts: 201 Member
    I've lost 167 lbs and still see the old me in the mirror. I say take pictures. That's what has helped me A LOT!!! I found a picture of me the other day from 2003 and started crying. I was in a size 5x shirt and 32w pant. Even when I go shopping I'm still amazed when I try on a XL shirt or size 18w pant and they fit.

    Keep up the good work!!! You'll find her eventually :smile:
  • sdavis448
    sdavis448 Posts: 193 Member
    Right e with you.. 57 lbs gone.. everyone says I look great.. but I just don't see it.. some days I even think I look bigger then before.

    Maybe we're just harder on ourselves now that we know we can do better>?
  • runny111
    runny111 Posts: 58 Member
    Buy slimmer clothes.

    I swear I look fatter in size X that fits, than the same size that is baggy on me!
  • Hezzietiger1
    Hezzietiger1 Posts: 1,256 Member
    You gotta start loving yourself girl!!! Maybe you are putting expectations on yourself that you should look a different way. Focus on what you have done so far and take pride in it. Buy yourself a new super cute outfit, get dressed up, and strut tho changes :)
  • Avandel
    Avandel Posts: 283 Member
    Remember, the camera adds at least 10 lbs. :noway: I suggest we all hang a pic on the mirror of ourselves before we started this journey.:frown: Maybe then we'll notice the difference.:bigsmile:

    Edit added;

    Get your hair done in a new style, change the type of clothes you wear, that's what I did, make the new you shine through. :smokin: I still need to lose at least another 20 lbs & then I'll probably make yet another change.:happy:
  • dvisser1
    dvisser1 Posts: 788 Member
    My body got fat well before my mind registered it, and the gotten really fat as my mental image of myself started to catch up. Over the past 15 months I have lost 70 lbs, most of that since January and joining MFP. A lot of the time I still see myself as the big, fat, pant load that I was even though I'm not like that anymore. In January I could squeeze into a 40 inch waist pants and now 38's are sagging off of me to the point I should start trying some 36's at the store.

    I wish I could give you a good answer that one day you wake up and realize you're thin and healthy, but I don't think it's so. I think your mental image takes longer to adjust than your body, at least mine is.
  • dispot
    dispot Posts: 2 Member
    I'm fighting that too. That is one of the reasons I joined this website. I have already lost 45 pounds but when I look in the mirror I see the me that I was when I started. It is very discouraging, and I really don't want to lose this battle again. So I thought I would try spending time with people that are fighting the same battles. Lo and behold, the first thing I found was a topic on the very thing that discourages me most - my image in the mirror. I think I am going to dig out a picture of me before I started and take one of me now. Maybe put them side by side on my mirror, so I can see the progress every time I look there. Maybe that will help??
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    What exercise have you chosen? Weight lifting transforms your appearance:)
  • sun33082
    sun33082 Posts: 416 Member
    Remember, the camera adds at least 10 lbs. :noway: I suggest we all hang a pic on the mirror of ourselves before we started this journey.:frown: Maybe then we'll notice the difference.:bigsmile:

    This definitely helps! I have a picture (I think it's in my profile) that says "Is it Really Worth It?" and i have it posted on my fridge. Not only does it help keep me out of the fridge when I'm not hungry, but I also look at it think "OMG I used to look like that?!" It definitely helps me see the real me in the mirror. Granted it's not a cure all, but it helps. Also looking at yourself in the mirror for a long time helps. You can then focus on how things are different than they used to be.

    Edit...ok the actual picture I have on my fridge isn't in my profile, but the picture does have my before picture and the picture of me in the purple speckled shirt.
  • Freedom4Brooke
    Freedom4Brooke Posts: 34
    For me it took making a side by side pic and posting it on here... ( http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/642966-over-125-down-75-to-go ) and even then I still have my fat days a LOT. (ok sooo technically I'm still obese so it's to be expected but you know what I mean) Just today I was looking for something to make for dinner and ended up in tears. It's a long hard road, more emotionally than physically sometimes. BUT it's worth it...
  • Dudagarcia
    Dudagarcia Posts: 849 Member
    Because we are the most critical when it comes to ourselves. Until we can face facts that the progress we've made is something to be praised, whether small or huge, we won't truly be happy with ourselves and will always see the "old me" staring back at us. We always see room for improvement, which is a good thing. But we need to stop looking at ourselves as unchanged and see the progress we've made. Plus looking at ourselves everyday doesn't help either!

    Well said sad but true
  • ThaRealNicki
    ThaRealNicki Posts: 322 Member
    it's a mental thing...I have a sorta opposite problem--I *feel* skinny, then I look in the mirror and see the fat girl :(

    Hoping some day the girl in my mind, and the girl in the mirror are the same.

    this is me! LOL
  • rchambers2072
    rchambers2072 Posts: 227 Member
    What exercise have you chosen? Weight lifting transforms your appearance:)

    I am working on that. Just finished the 30, well 27, day shred, and am starting No more Trouble Zones and C25K tomorrow. I can't afford a gym membership or free weights at home really. I am starting with 3 pound weights, then moving up to 5s, then 8s, etc.
  • Kincar
    Kincar Posts: 601 Member
    I've lost 20 lbs, and all I see in the mirror are fat thighs and stomach rolls. I'm still waiting to see what other people see. It's really rather sad. My brain knows I'm way too hard on myself, yet I can't seem to change it.
  • MalissaDC
    MalissaDC Posts: 123
    I'm in the same boat. For me it's because it's taken me 2 years to lose what I've lost and I still have at least 75 lbs to go.

    My mind KNOWS that I am smaller and I have my life back--I'm able to be way more active and do things I couldn't do. But I look in the mirror and all I see is the rolls that havent' budged and the spots on my thighs I hate.

    Even though I've made huge habit changes and huge exercise changes and they are a regular part of my life now--I still often feel the same way I did before I ever started.

    It's frustrating! Hang in there and just keep doing what you know to do!
  • sarabig2fit
    sarabig2fit Posts: 274 Member
    i see the old me too.. i think i'm beautiful, but i wonder when it'll all catch up.. will it take seeing a 1 in front of my weight?
  • amandainez08
    amandainez08 Posts: 87 Member
    it's a mental thing...I have a sorta opposite problem--I *feel* skinny, then I look in the mirror and see the fat girl :(

    Hoping some day the girl in my mind, and the girl in the mirror are the same.

    I have this problem sometimes. I feel super thin one day, and realize that I'm not when I look in the mirror. I feel a little sad when this happens. But then...I say to myself it's all just a matter of time until what I feel equals what I see. It will happen for you, too, I promise. Maybe don't look in the mirror other than when you're doing your make-up (if you wear make-up). Maybe after a while of not focusing on what you look like, your mind won't focus on it either. I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try!

    Best of luck! :)
  • rchambers2072
    rchambers2072 Posts: 227 Member
    Wow, thanks for all the replies. I think I will get on the computer later and try to do a side by side comparison... Logically I know I am changing, some days its just harder to see.

    And a new outfit that actually fits me right would probably help too.
  • Ke22yB
    Ke22yB Posts: 969 Member
    we all have to work thru it I took about 15 picturess I could use to update my profile and deleted ALL of them because I found fault with something My mind knows when I shop I have gone from 3x 4x shirts to large or xl depending on make so I know my waist is 41 not 58 anymore so I know just cant figure out how to convince my eyes
  • cynma
    cynma Posts: 77 Member
    My daughter took a photo of me the other day with my granddaughter. ( my new profile pic) When I looked at it I could not believe my eyes. I just kept saying Holy crap thats me! My eyes filled up with tears. It was the first time in years that I was truly happy with what I saw. It will happen when you least expect it. You have done amazing and your hard work is paying off. I hope you see yourself in a new light soon you deserve it. We are always so hard on ourselves. Believe me...when you least expect it. It will happen :))
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    it's a mental thing...I have a sorta opposite problem--I *feel* skinny, then I look in the mirror and see the fat girl :(

    Hoping some day the girl in my mind, and the girl in the mirror are the same.
    Totally that is me!
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    What exercise have you chosen? Weight lifting transforms your appearance:)

    I am working on that. Just finished the 30, well 27, day shred, and am starting No more Trouble Zones and C25K tomorrow. I can't afford a gym membership or free weights at home really. I am starting with 3 pound weights, then moving up to 5s, then 8s, etc.
    That's great...to just use what you have! Can't wait to hear about your progress:)

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