I do not go into clothes shops anymore, unless it is Ulla Popken, I shop for clothes over the internet. The other day I was looking for a new blouse and I searched incorrectly and found a whole page of the the most delightful, modern, pretty tops and I smiled inside thinking ... oh, at last! Then I saw they were all small sizes. I felt sad, wishing that they had such pretty things in my large size ... then I realised that I am 60 years old and, in fact, would look utterly ridiculous in them anyway.

Then I wondered if I were a thin, 60 year old, would I look just cute as a button in them? And then I realised that, were I thin, I would probably wear the same sort of simple, plain clothes I wear now, just in a littler size!

I've been overweight since I was in kindergarten, and have had only a very brief brush with normal weight in high school, so it's about as easy for me to forget that I'm fat, as it would be to forget that I'm female.

I don't really "forget" that I'm a woman, but the awareness of the fact fluctuates. In some situations I'm much more aware of my gender than in others, and at other times I don't think of it at all.

Weight is a lot like that. I'm not always aware of my exact size or appearance to others (I'll walk past a mirror, or see a photograph and be struck either by how much thinner I look than I've looked in the past, or how much I still have to go, or how I haven't lost as much as I think....)

My perception of my weight isn't always in the forefront of my mind, and sometimes it doesn't register at all.

Ironically, I've found weight loss easier when I don't bring my perception of my weight into the process at all. In fact, I don't focus on the weight aspect of diet and exercise at all. I remind myself that I'm changing my habits for my overall health, and weight loss is just one of the rewards.

This has helped me tremendously, because in the past (and in the present too, if I let it) my perception of my weight affects my compliance. If I feel smaller than usual, I'll feel I can eat more, and if I feel larger than usual, I'll feel hopeless. By taking my feelings and perceptions of my weight out of the equation, I don't have the emotional ups and downs that often led to weight ups and downs because I was letting my perceptions of the weight affect my compliance with my food and exercise plans.

Focusing on health helps, because I'm not likely to think "I feel exceptionally healthy today, so I can afford to eat unhealthfully." I know that for me, health is a long-range project so I can't trust how I feel about it. To BE healthy, I have to remain consistent. I don't know why I don't make the same connection with weight, but I don't, so I have to keep myself in the mindframe that I find the most success within.

I was not a fat child it wasn't until I got a car & was introduced to fast food that i packed on the pounds. My small town never had fast food even in the late 70's. The "real me" inside is a small person & i will see her again one day sooner than later

I never forget I'm fat. Especially when I sit down. I haven't worn jeans or tank tops for almost a year now to hide my stomach and arms.

Like previously mentioned in this post, I've had so many dreams (good and bad!) about losing weight. One of them had me weighing in 10lbs less from the same day, and another was that I lost weight so quickly, my boobs looked like wrinkled, deflated balloons. I think this shows that even subconsciously I never forget that I'm fat.

Hopefully my mindset will change as I start to lose more weight

I do not know why I am easy to fat. I only eat in the morning and at noon,I eat nothing in the evening but my weight is still my obsession.It took me 2 months to lose weight but now I gain weight.Such miserable thing to me. I hate my image myself now because I can put on my favorite clothes

I always forget that Im fat. I have a strong sense of denial and I rather enjoy thinking that I'm a lot thinner than I am . I excuse it by saying that I'm "Thinking myself thin". And then I go clothes shopping and am brutally reminded that I'm nowhere near what I feel I should be. LOL.
I generally shy away from cameras as much as possible but when I see the photographic evidence in front of me... yeah.. wow. heh

I never *feel* fat. I was usually shocked to see myself in pictures or to get on a scale. I feel awesome right now. I have tons of energy and I seriously feel better than I have felt in a LONG time. I saw my full length reflection in a store window the other day and just felt like "wtf? how can I be fat and feel this awesome?!"

This is exactly why I joined 3FC. I needed to remember I'm fat and I need to stay focused on eating better to lose weight. Coming to the forum helps me stay on track.

No, I don't forget. All I have to do is glance down at my belly.

I was in complete denial until I would be reminded by pictures or the taunting of other people. The big wake up call was when my boyfriend brought it up. I got so mad at him, even though he was coming from a very good place (in retrospect, he saw that I was in denial and veryyy unhappy). I never considered myself "fat" even at 250 pounds.

I am WAY more conscious about my weight now than I ever was. I see so many "imperfections" now, whereas I used to ignore them and tell myself I looked good anyway. It was a great coping mechanism but I am SO glad I woke up!!

^yep^

It is fascinating to see such varied responses. I am one of those who was in denial. Why do some people see it so obviously and some do not. I still balance precariously on denial. I am much lighter than I was before ...still in a high overweight BMI, but I feel like a skinny mini.....that is until I try shopping at some place like Forever 21 and have to leave in shame.

I've always pictured myself much smaller then I really am. Trying on clothes and seeing pictures is a harsh dose of reality, but doing everyday stuff I just forget - as odd at that sounds.

But - I had a similar problem when I was slim (for a few years). I thought I was much bigger then I really was and shopping for clothes or looking at pictures constantly surprised me.

Weird

It's funny how perceptions change. I used to believe I wasn't that fat, but in reality I was pushing 230. Now, being almost 40 pounds lighter, I see myself for what I really am. I'm much happier this way because I'm doing something about it so I'm okay with how I look now. It's just funny to be how I used to believe I was looking pretty good. Lol.

This is sad.. but I tend to forget about it for a while when I'm surrounded by fatter people. Reality hits pretty soon afterward though.

I'm pretty self aware, and self conscious so I usually don't forget I'm fat, however, when I'm getting intimate with a guy I usually feel so dang sexy that my fat either doesn't matter, or just seems to disappear in the heat of the moment. I know, it probably doesn't make sense, that is usually the time someone would feel the most self conscious, but...for me, my body disappears and my sexuality takes center stage. TMI? Lol!