Body image
 

Does anyone else have trouble "seeing" themselves as thinner? I know in my mind I lost 36 pounds. I know in my mind I'm in several sizes smaller clothing. I know in my mind people are noticing changes. I know in my mind i feel better. But when I look in the mirror I see the old me. I have noticed people have taken photos of their weight loss journey, which I haven't done. I think I will try that to see if it helps. Does anyone else have suggestions for me?

I've definitely had this problem when I lost a significant amount of weight in the past. I've also had the reverse problem. After I regained the weight, I was a lot thinner in my head than I was in photos ;)

I think it sometimes just takes the brain awhile to catch up when weight is involved. I'm hoping that taking pictures (which I'm doing) will help this time.

I agree it takes time for your brain to catch up! Like Daisy, I think even when I gained a lot of weight, I never really saw myself as large - even thought I was quite a few dress sizes bigger than my old, thin self...

Honestly, my cholesterol and blood pressure were what really convinced me to get on this diet - it wasn't worries about how I looked.

It is weird though when people notice and I don't really feel different. Even after less than 3 weeks, I have clothes that don't fit and I'm having a hard time finding things to wear. (I was never one to let my closet fill up - usually clear it out at last once a year!)

Just remember, you are beautiful at any size! :)

I keep looking at myself and seeing myself as fat and wondering what the heck I looked like 25lbs heavier and feeling mad at myself for letting myself be even bigger than I am. There is definetly a big mental part of losing weight. We just have to stay strong and know that we are beautiful no matter what.

Sassy

What really helped me was I had a picture from several years ago in this little black dress and I think I look normal/thin (ie not fat or overweight) in the photo. I still had that dress in my closet and I finally tried it on the other day to see how far I could zip it up. Turns out it zipped up easily! It was super helpful for me to have a picture where I thought I looked thin and then be able to put the outfit back on, because then my brain finally got that I was that size again.

I have had issues with all of this. I did not recognize myself in a photo after I had lost about 50 pounds. That was cool. I also put on my wedding dress and it was way baggy right about the same time. I think that now it is sinking in that I really am smaller. I will still describe myself as fat, and feel uncomfortable if someone calls me skinny or tiny. But day by day it is getting better. Also the confidence that comes with this success has infiltrated every aspect of my life. I catch myself doing the negative self talk much less frequently.

"that doesn't look like me!"
 

My friend, who's lost a considerable amount of wt., and I were talking about this very topic yesterday! She took a whole picture of me, and when I seen it, all I could say is," that's doesn't look like me!" My mind has definately not had the chance to "catch up" with my new shape. Feels weird, and good, both at the same time. I'm just worried about gaining it all back, it can happen so fast! I'm 9 wks. into this, the benefits of using less medication for myself is the reason to keep OP. Good luck to everyone!:)

Thank you all so much for your comments and advice. I still have a lot of that negative self talk (and self image negativity) going on....lots of work to do in and outside my head!LOL!

I've always thought I wasn't as heavy as I am! I mean, I know I am overweight, but nothing prepared me for when I got a look at myself in a store window and didn't realize it was ME!! LOL!

My favorite saying now is "I wish i was as thin as i was when i thought I was fat!"

Absolutely! I am 41 and have not been under 200 lbs since I was 11 yrs old. So even though I have lost 44 lbs so far I still don't see it in the mirror. I did take a picture on day 1 and then every once in a while just to see but it is so hard to see the new me that has been hiding inside.

I definitely recommend taking pictures. Find a picture of you (even if just a head shot) so you can see the differences and keep motivated.

You are doing great. Keep it up! :carrot:

I agree. I didn't realize how big I was. Now, even after over a year of maintaining, I still feel I look bigger than I am. I am now suprised when I am the smallest person in pictures!

Isn't that a great quote, Maddie??? "I wish i was as thin as i was when i thought I was fat!" Def going to remember that one!

DH took photos yesterday so I am appreciating --and following--advice!

When I had my WLS, I did the pictures and it was amazing to see the transformation. It helped a LOT seeing where things were getting smaller. My head never did catch up with my body before I started regaining, but hopefully I've gotten my head wrapped around the process this time.

Angie- Believe people around you when they say you are doing great and looking great. Photograph your journey. Celebrate your success. the thin you is you.

:)

I too am having issues..but ive been told by doctors i have something called "body dysmorphic disorder" Because ive had eating disorder issues my whole life..ive never seen myself as "thin" even at 145 pounds.. All my friends used to say "look at that hourglass waist!" and i would look at me and go "what are you talking about"? Now im super super obese..my highest at 315 and im down to 290 now but even though ive lost 25 pounds...i dont feel like i look any different..I still see the same fat self in the mirror...Its discouraging...

I dont see myself the way everyone sees me now. I had a hard time while trying on wedding dresses and it broke my heart. The lady had to make my sister take pictures because she said the mirror wasn't a good thing to rely on. Because I was on the verge of tears even though everyone said I was tiny.

I think this is a common problem - thinking you're thinner than you are when you are fat and fatter than you are when you are thin. Our brains are crazy things! I must say, I love your suggestion, spetty. It would certainly be a way to force your brain to catch up with your body!