Body Image issues

randomness123 · 10-17-2010, 09:45 AM

Hi there! This is my first post on this forum. Ive lost about 35 pounds over the past 5 years of my life. It was all done very slowly and in a healthy way. The last 15 pounds came off over the past 6 months bc of weight watchers. Now that I am pretty much at my goal of 123 lbs. (Really my goal is to maintain 118-122) I am having issues with self image. I still see myself at the size 8/10 I was six months ago when really I am at a size 4. People who havent seen me in awhile dont recognize me! I feel great and I know Im thin so I dont know what the issue is. I have a huge fear of gaining all the weight back. I still have flab on my tummy so maybe its that which makes me still feel "fat". Help!!! I feel like I have major issues recognizing what I actually look like.

A friend of mine who has always been thin,just saw me and exclaimesd "WOW YOU ARE THINNER THAN ME NOW!!!" I was in denial and could not admit it. Others that were around and heard that, thought I was crazy for not admitting it. I still dont believe I am actually thinner than her.

Can anyone give me a word of wisdom? Or been through the same thing and know how to get over this? I dont want to live my whole life denying what I really look like.

StephanieM · 10-17-2010, 09:58 AM

This happens to so many of us! You are definately not alone

Sometimes our mind takes a bit longer to catch up to us, try looking at yourself in a mirror next to this person (or sneakily catch your guys reflection in a window or something) to show yourself the comparison that others are seeing.

Try measurements, it's hard to deny the number you see.

For me, I just have this little moments of 'aha' once in awhile where I realize I AM smaller. Like when I thought I couldn't squeeze through the car door (car next to us was parked too close) and I slid right in without touching anything.

That's the best I have right now, it's a ongoing thing for me so I don't have a ton of experience, but hopefully others can provide better input.

This has been talked about a ton of times too, look through the past posts in this forum and you might see advice some have given others as well.

ncuneo · 10-17-2010, 11:28 AM

Time plain and simple. It's just going to take time to get used to the new you. I'm still suprised every time I look in the mirror. I was so used to leaving the house feeling pretty good then catching my reflection somewhere later on and being repulsed by how I really looked. Now it's the complete opposite. I leave the house feeling good and catch my reflection later and am shocked I still look great and thinner then I remembered when I left the house. But it's taken a few months to get here. That said I still have issued and still think I want to lose a little more weight to feel like I've reached my ultimate goal, but I'm trying to take it slow and allow myself to transition so that I don't end up somewhere that's not sustainable because I couldn't stop losing weight because I didn't let my brain catch up with my body. It just takes time, how much time? Who knows! Good luck! I know how it feels to have accomplished something so great and not be able to truest enjoy it.

randomness123 · 10-17-2010, 07:56 PM

Thank so much to both of you for your replies. I am so grateful that this is a normal sitch. I can definitely relate to the catching a glimpse of myself in a reflection bit. I cant wait until this feeling dies down and when my body gets set on the weight I am now. Im feeling like maintenance is harder than losing.