[berryblondeboys]

Originally Posted by jennyplain

Wow, this happened to me yesterday. A friend took a candid picture and posted it on Facebook and I was like, "WHO IS THAT FAT CHICK?" I know I've lost fifty pounds, but sometimes it is impossible to see it ,and staring at that picture I just wanted to cry because I felt like I was right back where I started.

It's hard how it smacks you isn't it? Yet I also know that in 20 pounds I'll look even better and will think I looked fat at the 202 that I currently am and so on.

[berryblondeboys]

Originally Posted by runningfromfat

I HATE pictures of myself. Actually, I was right at your weight (may a couple of pounds heavier) when I defended my thesis. I remember being so proud of myself and happy about what I accomplished, until I got the pictures back I felt HUGE and was just really down about the difference of what I was in my head and what I was seeing in the pictures.

But it does get better. Maybe you could try taking some pictures of yourself in the mirror with your most flattering clothes on? I did that and that seemed to help. When it was something I could control I felt much better about it. Friends taking pictures of me aren't concerned about my best angles, if I have a double chin, stuff like that. If I'm doing it myself I can control it more.

We're the same height and I can tell you one really good thing too. After hitting Onderland it seemed like every little bit I lost showed up that much more! I could feel my loss above 200 but I couldn't see it as much. However, now every time I lose a little bit I can see it more and more. You're just getting to the good part!

Oh, and forget any pictures sitting down... seriously, they are still horrible after having a kid!!!!!

Thank you! And it does make sense. Up until now, I've been losing the blubber in chunks.. bulk. Now as I get thinner, it will be the last layers/bulk coming off of the bones and muscles. A big roll of fat or a small roll of fat is still fat (though I never really had rolls), But when that fat goes away!!!

In my favor is that I have a large frame, so I'll start seeing bone/muscle fairly soon. Already am in places.

[kurisitaru]

I hate pictures. I have no confidence because of them. I can dress up and think I look SO cute then someone takes a picture and with the power of technology they show you their digital photo and my confidence falls threw the floor. I'll think, I look like THAT? Even last year when I was almost at my goal weight (before I sucked and gained it all back + sum), someone would take a picture and I would see me next to all my friends and realize, Oh My God, I'm "the fat chick" in this group. I'm that girl that dresses up on things she shouldn't and goes out thinking she's hot when everyone else is making fun of her in their heads.

Pictures also have a habit of showing me my zits, red skin, frizzy hair, dull lips, big hips, rolls, and pudgy arms. I hate photos, I really HATE them.

[mamakat]

I've got everyone around me trained. No pictures below the neck. I also don't have mirrors lower than my neck. My husband did get shots of me on vacation last summer, front blah, back BLAH, sideways OMG I want to cry. Or I did. Now they motivate me. I still think I'm beautiful. I like me. That could be my Bipolar speaking though

[Redgrl]

This is what has helped me. My husband, who is in regular shape and handsome, criticizes himself in any photo he sees. The first thing he does in a group shot is look at himself and make a critique. He's crazy! He is nearing 50 and only sees his age. I look at him and see a handsome man.

Once I noticed how often this happens with him, I started noticing that most other people do the same. It's like nobody looks at a whole picture and enjoys it anymore, they just zero in on themselves and pick.

I started "glossing over" myself in photos. I look at them, but not in detail and do not let myself say one single thing. I try to look at the composition of the whole photo. I have told myself that others will enjoy the pictures when I'm dead and gone... seriously... who is going to take a look at their long lost love and say "wow, look at that double chin!" and not "wow, look at that twinkle in their eyes!". Now I can look at pictures and enjoy them instead of taking a tumble down into the depths of despair.

Although, I will say, that if I see one that I think looks good, I will take a closer look.