Way to go!!!!

I hate my body right now. Not all the time, just when it's uncovered. I actually just caught a glimpse of my left arm gleaming in the lamplight. It's completely blighted by silver stretch marks.

But you wouldn't notice if you looked at me. We're the only ones judging ourselves this harshly, and its even worse because its a disconnect from our success on the scale. Put on something you feel sexy in and hold your head up. You've made amazing progress!

Wow, I understand your frustration. I had a friend once who had all the tummy tucks, etc. after losing a lot of weight. After the surgery, the doctor told her that she would continue to have loose baggy skin if she did not wear a body suit that holds it in while it is healing. This was one of those skin tight deals...spandex all the way. How the heck she got that thing on with healing skin without it killing her, I will never know. She had to wear it for months. That basically ensured that all that money she spent would not go to waste and she could see results. However, I have been told that in time, the skin will slowly shrink. Keep your skins moisturized and....don't look in the mirror.

Yes, this! People are so often their own worst critics.

The body you have is gorgeous - it was at your highest weight and it is now. Beauty exists independently of weight, stretch marks, loose skin, scars, blemishes, and all the rest, thank goodness! Think of how many amazing things your body can do! All the places it takes you! All women are beautiful and you are no exception.

When I feel the burn of societal pressure, it helps me to look at blogs of real, amazing, beautiful women and see how much variation there really is - all lovely, but all very different. Some of my favourites are shapeofamother.com, tumblr.com/tagged/fatkini, adipositivity.my-expressions.com/ - first and last contain nudity and are NSFW.

I took a few days to read and reread and absorb all teh wonderful advice you each offered. I want first to say thank you for the support. It makes this so much easier to deal with.

Second, I wanted to say that each of you has helped me look at this weight loss journey in a way other than scale related. I cannot thank you enough for that. In the grand scheam of things, the number on the scale, some loose skin, and wobbly thighs are so minor. I have to remember that I have turned my health around, can do things now that I couldn't 8 months ago and am starting to see possibiliies to change my life in so many other areas now too.

My most sincere thanks and gratitude go out to all of you!

These posts made me laugh and cry - but mostly I am feeling so proud of those of you who have lost enough weight to show the "battle scars."

Thanks for sharing your stories with new people like me. I have 100 pounds to lose and I will try to remember that there may be loose skin and wobbly parts when I get closer to that finish line.

I know one thing for sure. Losing all that weight makes your heart and other organs much happier - and they don't care a bit if there is some loose skin covering them up.