I have a very distorted image of my body. On the one hand, I sometimes thing I am waayyyyy smaller than I really am and on some days, I feel humongous! Most of the time, I just try to avoid looking, but I know that when I'm thinner, the same thing happens. I'll have days when I feel like I'm even thinner than I really am and some days when I feel huge....I have promised myself that once I reach my goal, I will not try to aim for perfection. I used to dream of plastic surgery (tummy tuck for loose skin), but no more. I will just accept myself as is and enjoy it. If I don't, then you guys can call me on it!

I am still struggling with this too. I honestly think that part of it is *where* I am at the time. At home, in my mirrors, I think I still look big. In dressing rooms I still look big. However... in mirrors I rarely look in, I am shocked to see the person staring back at me.

Just yesterday, at my in-law's for Thanksgiving, I walked by their living room mirror and happened to catch reflection, and I was FLOORED by how thin I looked.

The same thing happens when I catch my image on the security cameras at work (I work at a bank). I look at the screen, and I think "wow, I guess I really do look different".

But, I don't feel that way at home in our own mirrors.

So strange. I keep telling my hubby that we are going to have to go to the mall one day and I will just ask him if I am bigger or smaller than people walking by, until I can get an accurate idea of what I REALLY look like.

It's so strange how our bodies and minds can play tricks like this.

I feel the same way most of the time.
But every day when I feel like that I compare my pictures on my computer to make me feel better. I usually take my one at my highest weight and compare it to pictures now which usually makes me feel better.

I've come to think that once you're fat, a part of you will always be mentally fat...well for a lot of people that is.

I have lost 90 lbs...gained 6 back on..maintained for the last yr..give or take a few..and I STILL have issues with this. I still look in the mirror sometimes and think my thighs are huge...arms...and stomach of course.

Then occasionally I will catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror or see a picture of myself and I have to ask myself " are you freaking blind?? you look fabulous!!! "

We just have to remember to think positive and find the things we like about ourselves instead of being negative. We also need to remember that we're probably not going to be supermodels..that we'll still have some stretch marks/ extra skin and appreciate ourselves for the way we are instead of wishing to be what we're not.

I block/untag/delete almost all Facebook photos that are tagged of me. I'm in SERIOUS denial of how big I am. I am, however, motivated by pictures of me when I was smaller.

Losing weight is one of the hardest things to do, especially because your body is used to a certain routine. Just make weight loss your routine, the norm. Before you know it, you will look in the mirror and see changes, surprise yourself, and be satisfied. MAKE SURE you make a goal, though. If you don't make goals, there's no point in doing it because you have no reference point, no gauge.