anyone else ever look at aphoto of theirself and think "I don't really look like that do I?" I find when I look at pics of myself sometimes I look way bigger than I feel... I say this cuz my bf just took some pics of me...ad ugh. Also At the clothing store I work at I was hanging up capri's today and I looked at a size 4, and thought these don't look so small, and then looked at a size 14 of the same thing and thought "wow, these are huge" knowing full well that that is the pair that would fit me... It's just strange, because I don't really picture myself as large as I am. I think I need to print these pics and hang them on my fridge for motivation.

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean its one of the reasons I hate taking pictures. Everytime I look at a picture it shows a bigger version of me than the one I see in a mirror. Yet, they are great motivators I have a few taped up in places i'll see them randomly throughout the day and everytime I see one it reminds me why im going to continue on my diet and not give up.

Hey yall I have it worse than THAT! LOL! I have been noticing lately that when I take a picture with a group my dang head is twice as big as everyone else!

Bad enough to have a fat body but a fat head too!

I am down 30+ pounds now and my head doesn't seem to be shrinking and as I lose more I sure hope it does or I'll look like a grown up watermelon head baby! NONE of my old hats fit me the only ones are my adjustable ball caps!

I look at the pictures and I am like DANG is that MY head!

It is frustrating to feel big no matter what your size is. It's all relative.

As for hanging up your fat pictures. Don't. Hang up pictures of yourself that are you when you were thinner or something positive and motivating.

Trying to self-shame with fat pictures is counter productive. You don't need to beat yourself up. People in general are more motivated to do better when they feel GOOD about themselves. Make yourself feel good about YOU and what you've accomplished thus far. Celebrate that because it's those feelings that will push you forward to reach your goal in a mentally healthy way. Food is not a punishment or a reward.

^ That!

I'm having a "mental fat phase" right now, even though I'm at my lowest weight in years. It happens. As long as I know I'm doing what I can to make myself better, healthier, happier - it doesn't matter. I'll get there, little by little, and the image in the mirror will catch up.

I hung up both a fat picture and a current picture on my refrigerator to remind myself how far I have come. if I hung up only a fat picture, I'd never eat, if I hung up only a current photo, I would have nothing to compare it to.

Hanging up progress photos are a great idea for when I've come a little bit farther. I could never just hang up fat pictures - it would make me depressed.....and guess what I do when I'm depressed.......*hint - it's not workout or eat fruit* :-)

It was definitely pictures that made me realize I needed to lose some pounds. Looking in the mirror or thinking about what I think I look like - I think I still see Priscilla from 5 years ago, who was annoyingly thin while eating and drinking everything I saw. Seeing pictures of me now make me realize I don't look like her anymore. I still want to, and that's what I'm working towards.

I too have the same problem! I hate looking at my pictures and I absolutely hate shopping for clothes! The only good part of my job is the cute scrubs I get to wear---sometimes I wish I could wear these shapeless things all the time-haha. I did take some "before" pictures. One awesome idea that a friend gave to me was to blow it up, light it on fire and take a picture of yourself burning the pic- even if it is for a small goal. It gives you the feeling of putting something to rest. =) Or a celebration?? who doesn't like a bonfire

I am the exact same way. I HATE pictures and I end up deleting 99% of all the pictures of me. Ive even been known to crop me out just to avoid looking at myself. Theres days i think i look cute only to look at the pictures and just want to gag, which only makes me depressed about myself. Ill take 100 pictures before i get 1 that i like. I am looking forward to the day that i can take pictures and love the way i look in ANY angle. I CANT WAIT!

"Fat pictures" are definitely a bad idea. Looking at them every day will just solidify your subconscious identity as fat and unworthy. Then when you're thin you'll /still/ think you're fat and unworthy, even if new pictures say otherwise. Like the other gals have said, progress pics or a clip-out of a role model would remind you that you're making a conscious decision to improve your health, instead of reminding you to deprive or punish yourself because your hips are too wide or whatever.

I have seen a lot of them and I want them deleted right away, but I don't! I keep them for a reminder! I dont like getting bent out of shape, so I will look at them and then think.. only a couple more months and I will be able to look back on the pictures and smile at how far I have come!

Im just pretty tired of all the jiggling! i mean i like my size its just the jiggles that get to me now