Lost 15 Pounds, But Where?

[Rashomon]

So I'm losing weight, but I'm not really seeing where it's coming from. I started at 257 and now at 213, but I personally never really noticed a huge difference (aside that I had to get smaller pairs of pants and a blouse that used to be tight on me is now downright loose), but my coworkers did. Is it just some weird thing that I'm so used to my body that I don't see the changes?

[neonwildflower]

It's like anything that you see or do every day, you're too close to the situation to see a gradual change. Have you tried taking incremental photos of yourself to compare progress? That's what I'm trying to do. I want to have before, lots of during, and then a lifetime of after photos.

[QuilterInVA]

You'll probably need to lose at least another 25 pounds before you notice. I know no one noticed on me until I lost 60 pounds.

[ThicknPretty]

Most of us can relate to this feeling! I heard someone discussing this on the radio a few weeks ago and it goes something like this: your brain stores and holds on to familiar images so much so that when you see something every day, it will take a while to see any changes that are made to that particular something (your body). Your mind will have to replace that old default image with the new more accurate one.

It takes time but you will eventually see the changes every one else does. I think those around us always notice before we do! Keep up the good work.

[Aclai4067]

Do you wake up one day and think "wow, my hair has grown!"? Sure, you know it's longer than when you last cut it, but you don't NOTICE that it grew. Weight loss kinda feels the same way. That's why progress pictures are nice to have.

[HaleyisLove]

I've lost 82 pounds and honestly just started thinking of myself as smaller

[saef]

I saw nothing, but my clothes told me that I was losing weight. For me, the waist of my jeans is the first reliable indicator.

Trust your clothing. As you said, you're wearing pants in a smaller size and your formerly tight blouse is now loose.

Oh, and the other thing: If you continue wearing clothes like that loose blouse, you both will & won't see your weight loss. You'll see how loose it is, yes. But the loose fit will also hide your new shape more than better-fitting clothes will.

[chickapea]

I think it's the same thing that keeps us from noticing when the pounds creep up. I always think I look like me - but I can really only tell the difference in pictures. Clothes are a huge help - as is measuring.

I think for me, it was at 30 lbs lost that I could really feel like I had lost that much weight. Like I just recently noticed my knees bumping into each other. It's a bit uncomfortable because I'm not used to them knocking into each other, but it makes me feel happy because it's not just a number on a tape or on the scale that tells me I'm losing weight, it's something I can physically feel.

[Aurora]

The more you lose, the more you will be able to see the change. Especially for us taller girls.

I agree with everyone here - you are too close to it, and you need to start taking progress pics. I take mine every ten pounds, in a tight pair of pants in a dressing room mirror with my phone. Tight pants show every inch (which is good for comparison) and doing it in the same dressing room helps you get the same distance.

You are off to a great start!!!

[bama girl]

Aaaah! I know what you mean. I've only lost 10 lbs, but my boyfriend says he notices a difference around my middle... and... my boobs look bigger? (WHAT.) I, on the other hand, can only see a difference in my clothes.

[mmiller2829]

I sooo get this. I have lost over 30 lbs. and can't tell one bit. I started wearing size 20W jeans and still in them. They are the stretch kind and NOW I can wear them straight out of the dryer but WOOPIE! I just can't tell other than that. I do feel alot better because of my excercise 6 days a week. THAT is still hard to MAKE myself go to the gym. Even after 2 months.

[kabaker]

I know what you mean! I have lost 23 lbs and I really don't see it all that much. Other people have commented, but since I see myself everyday I don't notice the small changes. I have only gone down a size in pants so far...

[Rashomon]

Thanks everybody! At least I know I'm not crazy. It's a little frustrating though that we don't really see the changes because what could be a bigger motivator than seeing what everybody else is seeing?

I've tried taking progress pics, but it's slightly awkward without a full-length mirror (and my mom is no help in any of this). I'll try again soon.

[missyRxOx]

i've lost only 10lbs, and i noticed today (surprisingly, at IKEA) that my thighs (my MAJOR problem area, i call them my thunders) have gotten smaller!

could be all the pilates i keep doing....