Regarding these "plus size models" that kill my esteem..

And the people on the My Body Gallery website (they are actually real people), how is it that at the same size I am, they have no rolls or fat anywhere? I don't even understand. I'm finally a size 14 in some clothes and when I compare my picture to theirs, I have fat all over. Now, I know you shouldn't compare, but where are their rolls at? Even the people on that My Body Gallery site, they look flawless. It worries me that when I'm smaller than I am, I won't look any different because what I still have isn't skin, it's fat. I don't get it ): Am I going to look like a size 20 when I'm a size 8? I do strength training and cardio. I alternate kickboxing and 30DS. When will I start to see the fat disappear? /: I know it takes time, but when the clothes come off, I still see the same fatty that I saw 3 sizes and about 50lbs ago. I heard that the smaller you get, the less it takes to see a difference, but when will I look firm and flat? What am I do wrong? I eat at a 1250 deficit, cardio and strength..why do I look so fat? When will I just have NATURAL curves instead of fat curves? I hate this so much. What can I do or what am I not doing right?
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Replies

  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    I will never understand this obsession some people have with the size of clothes. Women actually have a size zero? That is whack.

    I would suggest you quit comparing yourself to others. If you feel good and like the way you look, how on earth does the size number mean anything. Once you let go of this idea that a number matters, you will not only have more enjoyment but less stress.

    good luck
  • stfuriada
    stfuriada Posts: 445 Member
    Some part of it is genetics. That isn't something you can remedy easily.
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    You can never win when you compare yourself to others. Just keep working on you. Be the best "you" you can be. Every moment you spend on yourself will show in the long run. :drinker:
  • AmyLRed
    AmyLRed Posts: 856 Member
    i hear ya, i am built kind of similar, perhaps.

    Focus on your successes. losing 50lbs and 3 sizes is fantastic! Compare you to YOU. take photos and compare them to before. You are doing great!
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    Is there a height difference? There aren't really clothing size standards. If they're a 14 from 1960 that's a lot smaller than a 14 from 2012.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    They're tall and big boned.
  • kassiebby1124
    kassiebby1124 Posts: 927 Member
    I have always had an issue comparing myself to other people..I guess I'm just worried that I don't see a difference under my clothes despite I've lost 50lbs..

    *Edit: You can input your height. I'm 5'4*
  • ms_cataclysm
    ms_cataclysm Posts: 26 Member
    It takes a while for your skin to tighten up after dieting . Until that happens, you might look as good as you will in a month or two.
  • Romans624
    Romans624 Posts: 822
    Is there a height difference? There aren't really clothing size standards. If they're a 14 from 1960 that's a lot smaller than a 14 from 2012.

    this is a big part of it, if you are shorter, then you would require less body fat (would equal less or no rolls)
  • LPCoder
    LPCoder Posts: 404 Member
    Actually, please remember that all model photos are digitally altered. Blemishes are magically removed, rolls are just a swept away with the brush of a mouse. Don't compare yourself to pictures you find in magazines or websites.
  • GaidenJade
    GaidenJade Posts: 171
    I will never understand this obsession some people have with the size of clothes. Women actually have a size zero? That is whack.

    I would suggest you quit comparing yourself to others. If you feel good and like the way you look, how on earth does the size number mean anything. Once you let go of this idea that a number matters, you will not only have more enjoyment but less stress.

    good luck

    ^^^ This.

    Plus, every single person's body is different and carries fat differently. My cousin always had baby fat, and her skin was smooth no matter how much weight she gained. The worst she ever had was a small pouch and chubby cheeks. However I have so many rolls I could be a bakery. Don't compare yourself to them.

    Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and yes even with rolls. If you are unhappy with yourself, then know that you ARE doing something to change that and you should be proud. Just keep working towards being healthy and learn to love who you are. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    I have always had an issue comparing myself to other people..I guess I'm just worried that I don't see a difference under my clothes despite I've lost 50lbs..

    *Edit: You can input your height. I'm 5'4*

    you want an eye opener? put fifty pounds in a backpack and carry it around for an hour. fifty pounds lost is AWESOME. hang in there
  • EDesq
    EDesq Posts: 1,527 Member
    And the people on the My Body Gallery website (they are actually real people), how is it that at the same size I am, they have no rolls or fat anywhere? I don't even understand. I'm finally a size 14 in some clothes and when I compare my picture to theirs, I have fat all over. Now, I know you shouldn't compare, but where are their rolls at? Even the people on that My Body Gallery site, they look flawless. It worries me that when I'm smaller than I am, I won't look any different because what I still have isn't skin, it's fat. I don't get it ): Am I going to look like a size 20 when I'm a size 8? I do strength training and cardio. I alternate kickboxing and 30DS. When will I start to see the fat disappear? /: I know it takes time, but when the clothes come off, I still see the same fatty that I saw 3 sizes and about 50lbs ago. I heard that the smaller you get, the less it takes to see a difference, but when will I look firm and flat? What am I do wrong? I eat at a 1250 deficit, cardio and strength..why do I look so fat? When will I just have NATURAL curves instead of fat curves? I hate this so much. What can I do or what am I not doing right?


    AIR BRUSHED and/or Photo Shop...Forget the hype! You are just like those "girls" who try to be like the size 0 models...you will never make it because they are all air brushed, photo shopped or wearing HEAVY Make-Up. That's why sooo many women can not be happy, they are chasing A LIE!!!
  • Romans624
    Romans624 Posts: 822
    I have always had an issue comparing myself to other people..I guess I'm just worried that I don't see a difference under my clothes despite I've lost 50lbs..

    *Edit: You can input your height. I'm 5'4*

    If you still have 60 more pounds to lose (looking at your ticker) that could be why. I am 4.5 inches taller than you and I had rolls when I was 60 lbs from goal. Heck, even 30 lbs from goal I think I had little rolls.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I have always had an issue comparing myself to other people..I guess I'm just worried that I don't see a difference under my clothes despite I've lost 50lbs..

    *Edit: You can input your height. I'm 5'4*

    you want an eye opener? put fifty pounds in a backpack and carry it around for an hour. fifty pounds lost is AWESOME. hang in there

    ^ This!
  • Shrinking_Xtina
    Shrinking_Xtina Posts: 478 Member
    I know how you feel, at 5'3 and going from a size 24 to a 14, my body still looks the same to me just smaller. Height and genetics has a lot to do with it. But I'd still take the size I am now over the size I used to be, I don't have the body that I want but that doesn't mean there aren't any perks that have come along with it. Hang in there, you are doing great and don't let it stop you.
  • MellyGibson
    MellyGibson Posts: 297 Member
    Actually, please remember that all model photos are digitally altered. Blemishes are magically removed, rolls are just a swept away with the brush of a mouse. Don't compare yourself to pictures you find in magazines or websites.

    ^^^THIS!^^^

    Most emphatically, this! I have been a graphic designer for 20+ years...I've personally digitally manipulated THOUSANDS of digital photographs (oddly enough, not my own, though - huh...going to have to rethink that)....

    It's only natural for us to compare ourselves to others - as much as we like to think we don't or tell others (and ourselves) that we do not. It's just not right, though. NO TWO PEOPLE ARE EXACTLY ALIKE!

    Just be the best you that you can be!
  • angieleighbyrd
    angieleighbyrd Posts: 989 Member
    I really try hard not to look at what peoples sizes are. I am now in a size 7, started at an 18. I know a few friends that are a size 7 and are very lean and thin. I have a very noticeable belly and muffin top.
  • iheartmarshall
    iheartmarshall Posts: 39 Member
    It all depends on the way you're built... I used to think the same way you did but I got over it and have begun to focus on making my body look the best it can for my shape. I know it can get discouraging, though. I'm a solid size 18, am 5'9, and weigh over 230 pounds! When I tell people my weight, they seriously think I'm lying because I do not look that big AT ALL. My mom is actually a size 20/22 but weighs less than I do. I've even done a side-by-side with a friend who was also a size 18 and she looked and measured larger than I was but she weighed about 20 pounds less because she was only 5'5. So yes, it all depends how you're built and your genetics. Try not to get discouraged and like I said, just focus on being in the best shape you can be for YOUR body type. Learn to let go of numbers and I promise you'll love yourself :)
  • kassiebby1124
    kassiebby1124 Posts: 927 Member
    You all are so so inspiring and helpful..I guess I'll just keep on trucking. My goal is to be in single digit pant sizes..but I guess I have to learn to stop comparing
  • canelly
    canelly Posts: 731 Member
    Actually, please remember that all model photos are digitally altered. Blemishes are magically removed, rolls are just a swept away with the brush of a mouse. Don't compare yourself to pictures you find in magazines or websites.

    Exactly all photos are model photos are photoshopped stope comparing yoursel to others is not healthy I suggest you take pictures of yourself and compare then very time you lose weight and maybe like that you see that you are making a difference in your body!!

    Good luck
  • BruteSquad
    BruteSquad Posts: 373 Member
    I just want to take a moment and point out something that hit me hard last night. I am in a hotel and you know how they have giant mirrors to make sure you can see everything that might be wrong with me.

    At my maximum weight of 425 lbs, I had NO ROLLS. Honestly, I think I LOOKED more in shape than I LOOK now. It isn't true of course...Looks can be deceiving......I looked last night and I have sags and a small roll, stretch marks that didn't show up when I was at max density. And I jiggle.

    My brother has never had the weight issues I have had. I am glad. But he gets "fat" and still fits in his clothes and looks good. I know a woman that is a size 14 jeans, but you would swear she was a 6 simply because of how her genes fit in her jeans. Genetics determines a lot, you can only work with what you were given.

    Stop looking at other people, because no matter how good you look, you will always find someone YOU think looks better than you do no matter what your fitness level.

    When you are sad, stop being sad and be awesome.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    I found that I felt better when I stopped comparing myself to everyone else. I'm 5'4" and around 145-150lbs. I used to find myself getting pretty depressed when I would see women on this site who were starting at 150lbs because they looked "fat" and "horrible". What the heck? I was happy as heck to be 150lbs and these women think they look horrible at that weight? What must they think of me - having it be my GOAL weight?

    Then one day I woke up and realized that I didn't care what anyone else wanted to do. I didn't care what their goal weight was - all I cared about was the fact that *I* had achieved my goal and have been maintaining it for almost 2 years. Some people may think I'm chubby or even fat, but I don't care. *I* like what I see in the mirror.

    Focus on loving you and forget what everyone else is doing.
  • DeeDel32
    DeeDel32 Posts: 542 Member
    I have always had an issue comparing myself to other people..I guess I'm just worried that I don't see a difference under my clothes despite I've lost 50lbs..

    *Edit: You can input your height. I'm 5'4*

    you want an eye opener? put fifty pounds in a backpack and carry it around for an hour. fifty pounds lost is AWESOME. hang in there
    100% this!
  • Logsv
    Logsv Posts: 36
    I found that I felt better when I stopped comparing myself to everyone else. I'm 5'4" and around 145-150lbs. I used to find myself getting pretty depressed when I would see women on this site who were starting at 150lbs because they looked "fat" and "horrible". What the heck? I was happy as heck to be 150lbs and these women think they look horrible at that weight? What must they think of me - having it be my GOAL weight?

    Then one day I woke up and realized that I didn't care what anyone else wanted to do. I didn't care what their goal weight was - all I cared about was the fact that *I* had achieved my goal and have been maintaining it for almost 2 years. Some people may think I'm chubby or even fat, but I don't care. *I* like what I see in the mirror.

    Focus on loving you and forget what everyone else is doing.


    Excellent point! Couldn't have said it better myself :)
  • marie_cressman
    marie_cressman Posts: 980 Member
    I will never understand this obsession some people have with the size of clothes. Women actually have a size zero? That is whack.

    I would suggest you quit comparing yourself to others. If you feel good and like the way you look, how on earth does the size number mean anything. Once you let go of this idea that a number matters, you will not only have more enjoyment but less stress.

    good luck

    that IS whack! LOL i don't aim to be a size zero ever... not that there's anything wrong with it if that's someone's size. my hips are too wide for that. haha i will probably never be smaller than about a size 8 or so and i'm totally fine with that.

    i had to learn over time not to compare myself to others. sometimes it's still a struggle especially when i have a friend dieting unhealthily (she hardly eats anything other than maybe coffee and energy drinks and junk and then hops on the treadmill and runs for miles) and just a couple of weeks ago she weighed more than me and was larger and now she weighs 10lbs less than me and looks smaller than i am. i just have to keep reminding myself that our bodies are completely different shapes. i have a definite "pear" shape while she doesn't curve much from her hips to waist. she was naturally tiny as a teenager while i have always been curvier/lumpier. :wink: i have rolls and i'm 23lbs away from my goal weight. embrace your body and love it for what it is. work on improving and being the best YOU.. don't worry about everyone else. i tell myself that every day. :smile:
  • Dani_wants_to_be_fit
    Dani_wants_to_be_fit Posts: 550 Member
    As it's been said Photoshop. It's the best for making us non models feel like crap. It's human nature to have a few lumps and bumps (Just need to see a celeb magazine and see even they have flaws when they are spotted on the beach) You have got into a great dress size and should be feeling proud of yourself, don't compare yourself to overly brushed pictures of others. You are doing great!
  • tdmcmains
    tdmcmains Posts: 227 Member
    It is photoshop, honey. Don't compare yourself to some digital image of a chick that has more than likely been retouched. You are doing an awesome job. Compare yourself to... yourself. Take before and after pictures.
    I've lost 40-some pounds and am between a size 6 and 8... it's SHOCKING to me that I am this small... And while my rolls are gone I still have the dimpley butt and giant thighs and... whatever... you know... it's not that it doesn't bother me... it does... but I am working my *kitten* off and have come so far and some days i think i look amazing and other days well... not so much.
    Keep doing what you are doing. Make sure you are eating enough to fuel muscle-building and getting enough protein. I think a lot of people under eat and lose muscle mass. But it sounds like you are doing great so keep it up and keep your chin up. :)
  • jenbusick
    jenbusick Posts: 528 Member
    I feel ya. I see pictures of women on magazine covers who are so proud of their weight loss, they look great.... they weigh what I do, and *I* don't look like that! It's frustrating. I was told by a trainer "Hey, if you're a size 6, what are you worried about, you're fine." But how does a size 6 still have a potbelly and a fat jiggly bum and calves that are too fat for a nice pair of tall boots? Something's WRONG there!

    It's frustrating and discouraging and I understand. I tell myself that if I quit, it won't *ever* get better, so just don't quit and maybe eventually I'll get there. Hang in there! The well-toned women at the gym didn't start yesterday or even last year, they've been doing this for years, so I know I have a ways to go before I can claim that; just gotta not quit.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    And the people on the My Body Gallery website (they are actually real people), how is it that at the same size I am, they have no rolls or fat anywhere? I don't even understand. I'm finally a size 14 in some clothes and when I compare my picture to theirs, I have fat all over. Now, I know you shouldn't compare, but where are their rolls at? Even the people on that My Body Gallery site, they look flawless. It worries me that when I'm smaller than I am, I won't look any different because what I still have isn't skin, it's fat. I don't get it ): Am I going to look like a size 20 when I'm a size 8? I do strength training and cardio. I alternate kickboxing and 30DS. When will I start to see the fat disappear? /: I know it takes time, but when the clothes come off, I still see the same fatty that I saw 3 sizes and about 50lbs ago. I heard that the smaller you get, the less it takes to see a difference, but when will I look firm and flat? What am I do wrong? I eat at a 1250 deficit, cardio and strength..why do I look so fat? When will I just have NATURAL curves instead of fat curves? I hate this so much. What can I do or what am I not doing right?

    Most "plus-sized models" are sizes 6-10, not 14 so they are not the same size you are and you shouldn't compare. Also, even if they were, models are first the most genetically blessed among us, so they choose women who are larger, but may not have rolls. And then they airbrush them.

    As for My Body Gallery, well, people have delusions about their own bodies. There was a super skinny, very straight-up-and-down woman on there claiming to be size 8 (I suppose it's possible) and to be an hourglass. She was a ruler, not an hourglass.