This is a great topic. I'm also one that at my heaviest, I didn't feel that big, but now that I'm smaller, I struggle with hating my "fat" body. I'm working on that though, because I know all that *&%^ is in my head!

you are so interesting ! but what you said is right . if you feel as fat is ok then as fat .

actuall it is not important to be fat or slim as long as you like !!
what we need care is health .
if you are healthy and happy as a fat .
ok . be a fat .

I found an old skirt of mine... like from the 90's. I couldn't put my leg in it now. It was sooooo tiny. However, even though I remember wearing it. I felt I was overweight at that time.

I just don't understand it.

It's not something that is easy to change and something I have always struggled with too. I have been overweight for my height for as long as I can remember and this is probably the closest I have ever been to a normal weight, even though I have another 30 pounds or so to go.

Even though I am 80 pounds down, there are still plenty of days that I look in the mirror and still see the 270 pound person I was in September. While these days are slowly becoming less frequent, when I do have one I need a reminder of how different my body is. The mirror doesn't work. Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a horrible thing but I think more people suffer from it than anyone could imagine.

What I do that helps me is put on my old belt, put it in the loop that it was when I first started and see just how big a difference that is. It is harder to deny the progress this way. I think it is even helping change how I see myself in a mirror.

I am always surprised when I pass a reflective surface that I'm not expecting. I've lost 50 pounds, and I was so bloated (like really bloated) that I've lost all my bloating. I don't notice it much day to day, but when I dress up nice and go out somewhere I can see a huge difference.

I try to utilize as much tracking as I can; clothing, scale, mirror, photos, measuring tape etc to remind myself constantly that I'm changing. My motivation relies on my success and I do have to keep myself accountable.

Yeah, when I was young I weighed about 110, and thought I was fat. Not surprising though, as I've been told I'm fat since childhood. And slowly, slowly, I actually became fat - I remember stepping on a scale in a doctor's office and finding out I was overweight, bordering obese. The interesting thing is that when I was obese, eventually, I didn't realize that either. I guess it doesn't matter if I weigh 110 or 180, I always feel "somewhat fat".

I was in a thrift store today, trying on a bunch of clothes. Some of them were approximately 2 sizes too big and some 2 sizes too small. I don't understand my body size at all.

Pigeon, I absolutely agree on the body sizing confusion. Vanity sizing sucks! I would rather have honest sizes rather than flattering tags!

Its about self image and that starts with your thinking

It's hard to see yourself exactly as you are... The thing about looking in mirrors, is that essentially none of us has true mirrors in our households, and eyes themselves are bias and drawn to certain things. I think it's just something that has to be accepted, and when we put less focus on that image in the mirror, it doesn't seem as important.

I start by not comparing myself to any other woman.

Did that for years.

Always led me to a dark place.

it doesn't happen overnight. Takes a lot of time and caring. It’s totally normal to struggle with how you see yourself, especially during big life changes or weight fluctuations. One thing that helps is separating how you feel from what’s actually true. When I was sorting through some wellness resources, I noticed a note about Johnson And Johnson customer service from an old product inquiry and it reminded me how much health stuff we all end up trying. The big thing is consistency and kindness toward yourself. You’re definitely not alone.