Hi Jaz, and welcome! Congratulations on all that you have accomplished so far. Reading your post I thought of a few suggestions that might be helpful, but also understand that self-image is something many of us struggle with, no matter our weight or stage of weight loss. I wear a size 8 right now and I still am always trying to squeeze between parked cars and hide my "chubby" thighs, even after 4 years of wearing sizes 6~8~10, from a 16/18.
Some concrete things that may help you realize your loss -
Do you have any pants from your highest or near highest weight? Put them on and look in the mirror - you'll see a lot of changes in your body.
Taking measurements of your chest, waist, and hips with a tape measurer can have a similar effect.
Also taking a picture of yourself now and putting it next to a "before" picture - same idea.
There is a section of the maintainers forum of this website
here that might provide some insight. Poke around the different forums at the website, chime in and feel free to talk to everyone about what you're feeling. We're a pretty friendly bunch! Also, do you go to WW meetings (as opposed to online)? Perhaps people there will listen to your concerns. There's a WW forum here on 3fc, too, so many some of the participants there can help you alleviate your concerns as you transition from WW "losing" to maintenance.
I think it's normal to be scared of regaining the weight we've lost. We've all heard the statistics. They're not good! As you think about how you're going to live as you finish losing your weight and go into weight loss maintenance, you will hopefully figure out an eating & exercise plan that works for you in the long-term to keep you where you want to be (of course this is fluid - maybe you'll decide after a while that you're happier 5 lbs heavier or lighter, or that you want to gain more muscle, or that you want to become a runner, or... and that's fine if your plan changes, too!). The support I've found in the maintainers forum has been absolutely key to my keeping my weight off. Come on over and check us out, or again, poke around the website and find a place you feel comfortable. Welcome!
The scale says I lose but when I look in the mirror i see no change in myself.
and good vibes sent your way.
I wish I could give you some good advice, but I have only just started my weight loss journey and pretty much look exactly the same. Good luck to you and congrats on what you have achieved already.
