I suppose this area is here for a reason, so I'm guessing I'm not alone here... so here it goes...

I have some real serious self image issues because of my weight. But, I've noticed that they have become magnified since I have been trying to live healthy and lose weight.

It feels like I will never get there some days. Or sometimes I just feel ugly and ashamed.

It has been like this for a while, but really kicking this new lifestyle in gear has enhanced this poor view of myself. I try to be peppy about it, but it is hard.

We get this way I take it because we are paying attention-- really paying attention-- to our physical shape and health now?

Will this ever come to an end, or is this self image issue going to be an ongoing battle?

I know my eating is because of the fact I am depressed which is because of where I live. I am pretty certain that should I move then I might once and for all begin to sort out my weight issues.

Self image is something I've battled with all my life, too. I'm such an incredible perfectionist and most days pretty good is just never good enough for me. After losing a fair amount of weight, I felt a lot better about myself and my body but it still wasn't good enough. It's taken a long time to finally accept myself for who I am and somedays I still don't.

Just remember that if you keep up with your healthy lifestyle that someday you'll feel better not only physically but also mentally. True beauty comes from the inside. If you feel confident with yourself and if you feel like you're beautiful, everyone else will think you are, too!!

Another thing I suggest is if you're not happy with other aspects of your body that you look into a total makeover. Buy some cute new makeup, cute new clothes, cut or dye your hair, and get a manicure/pedicure! These things will make any girl feel beautiful again Ask a friend to help if you're not sure what to buy or what will look cutest on you. I know I felt a ton better about myself when I lost weight and got to buy a bunch of cute new clothes. You don't need to spend a bunch of money, either. Stores like Kohl's and TjMaxx have such good deals all the time that you can get an entire new wardrobe for little or nothing

Good luck!! <3

Some days I'm my own worst enemy....my entire outlook can be affected by the scale or whether clothes fit a certain way...

This is a really good idea

Thanks for the replies ladies.

Glad to help I totally know where you're coming from and I really hope you feel better about your body soon!! We all have our ups and downs, too. Today I felt awful after looking in a mirror in a changing room at Herberger's!! I tried on a cute dress (that didn't fit) and after I took it off I couldn't believe how ugly my thighs look! Changing rooms can sometimes do that to you, though, so I tried to just think that the mirror sucked and the lighting was terrible and when I got home I looked in my mirror to reassure myself that my thighs aren't that bad

I don't have any answers, but just know that you are NOT alone. I have been going through the same thing lately and it is really, really difficult for me. Hang in there!

Oooohhh.... **winces**... those changing rooms can indeed be a bad place... espacially when the clothes don't look or fit the way you had hopes.. been there and done that many times myself.

Thank you Sunrose. I am starting to come to the conclusion that this is a part of the process. It doesn't feel really great, but perhaps it is something that will eventually pass. I keep telling myself looks aren't everything anyway. Being healthy is the most important thing with this weight issue.

I used to HATE shopping because I could never find clothes that I liked that fit Now I'm down to a size where I can still shop in the stores I like, but back then it was so hard to see all these jeans I thought were so cute but when I tried them on I couldn't get them over my hips.