if I look in the mirror, sometimes I look very pretty. I feel special and cute and like I don't have that much more to go. and then, I see a picture of myself and it completely deflates any positive thought I had. I look so disgusting - like I have five chins hanging down and a blimp hanging off of my arms. I know that I'm not all that obese. but what the heck?

I know how that feels. I'll catch glimpses of myself and think "I don't look too bad.." but then see a pic of myself and think "OMG! am I really THAT fat??" I hate pics of myself.

I'm the same way, I also hate my reflection in shop windows. Something happens I'm sure. It sure does eat up the self confidence though.

I think everyone has those moments where you're feeling positive and then the aelf-esteem demons creep in to ruin it when you catch a glimpse of yourself, or go shopping and can't find any clothes, or whatever.

At those times, I try the positive self-talk to remind myself how far I've come, and most of all try to remember I'm helping myself from the inside out with a healthy lifestyle - and that the mirror will catch up to how good I feel eventually!

I turned 30 this year and had a big birthday party. I spent weeks planning what I was going to wear - even had my hair done. I thought I looked fabulous when I walked out the door. Scrolling through the digital pictures the next day is when I realized I really need to do something about my weight!! I guess it's true what they say - the camera adds 10 lbs!!

eightbit YES I know how you feel 100%.

Isn't it weird how certain outfits can make you feel fabulous and your self-esteem just soars, but when you see a picture of yourself wearing that outfit, the camera catches (on me anyway) the flabby arms, the double chin, the fullness of your face? How come the mirror doesn't show it? or are we just not seeing it? I hate taking pictures when I feel fat, but sometimes that's just the dose of reality I need to get back on track. Many many times I have looked at vacation pictures and cringed, then got myself to WW soon after. You're not alone in feeling like that.

You are NOT disgusting! I'd go with the mirror rather than pics; one wrong pose and you're caught forever in time in a way that you probably don't even really look like (does that make sense?). Me personally, I don't get upset by my "disgustingness" because it is just not an option for me to stay this way; thinking I don't look so hot just spurs me on more to lose, but I won't let it get me down. And the last 3 pounds I just lost seem to have made such a difference to my appearance; soon you will hit a number where you'll find you look pretty good (in pics) and you'll be looking even better soon. Keep your confidence up in the meantime: as long as you're actively working toward your goal, there is simply no point in feeling badly about yourself. You are special anyway, fat or not!

Hi Guys,

I know exactly how you feel although my story is a little different. At my heaviest I was close to 175 and thought I looked amazing. My confidence was thru the roof. I lose almost 60 pounds and got down to 120 a few years back. I lost the weight for health reasons not because I thought I didnt look good. Now I am back up to 145 and have never been more self-conscious. I try to avoid all mirrors/camera's. I am miserable.

I HATE having my picture taken...and forget videos. I always seem to havr multiple chins and I very rarely look in a mirror. I will not look at myself in a mirror or a store window if I do not have to.

My family thinks that I am nuts and that I SEE things that I want to see...but pics do not lie. I would love to have the self-esteem to have a photo taken, etc.

I am happy to see that I am not alone .

Hugs,
Rhonda

I know what you mean about feeling good one minute then being disgusted the next- I work in the fashion industry and sometimes I'm feeling really good about my 70 lb weight loss and then someone at work makes a comment about "those fat size 8 and over girls" and I realize that by industry standards, I'm considered obese at 5'5" and 140 lbs! Then I look around the office and I am CLEARLY the biggest one by a long shot and I feel really disgusted with myself.

thanks for the understanding!

my boss is this 6'4 basically anorexic psychiatrist. by no means are any of the ladies in my office thin, but I am 100% more self-conscious than any of them. the pictures from the office Christmas party literally had me sobbing.

I'm doing the best that I can - and I've lost close to 30 lbs, certainly no complaints about that - but I am so frustrated with my work and school load & not having time to work out properly. I'm just spiraling into this horrible depression again and I hate it.

I feel the same way. I have very few pictures of me with my children or my DH because I am so ashamed of how I look. It's maddening. I don't allow pictures of me to be taken and have even taken my moms camera and deleted pictures of me off of it because I was afraid other people would see them. In fact, the pic in my profile is only one of like 100 pictures I took trying to get at least one decent one of me. I am too scared to even take a before picture.

Yup, I know exactly how you feel. I am even ashamed of my shadow when I am walking next to my DH. I am a photographer, and sometimes I love my job simply because it means I am always out of the picture! But just you wait...once this weight is gone I will be posting self-portraits all over the place!!

I know the feeling too...recently I got married. At the wedding and reception, I felt great. But then I looked at some of the wedding pictures...I felt like a huge, ugly hog! I was like...Is THIS WHAT PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT?!?!

You lost 30 lbs..that's wonderful. I congratulate you. =)

Keep your sprits up, though. I can't wait to be at my own personal 30 lbs mark. Make lists. Take things one at a time. Have faith. You will be great. =)

Count me in. I'll do my makeup and fix my hair and get dressed in a cutsie outfit - thinking "dang, I'm looking good today" - and then I see pictures of myself and just want to cry.............

In my wedding video - at the reception - I WADDLED!!!!!!!!!! I looked like a freakin' penguin!!!!