[Scarlett]

Sometimes we get attached to our “story of me.” This is a subjective mental idea of who we are and what we have been though. I mentally know 174 pounds is my lowest number at my adult height. I also know my weight fluctuated between 175 and 195 in college. During this time it seemed no matter what I did, my weight never went over 200. I tended to panic and “shut things down” once I saw the 190s. After college my weight shot up and I spent 2+ years over 200. I weighed 225 at my highest. Now at 25 years old, I’ve stayed around 175-182 for the past 6 months. I feel “comfortable” at this weight in that most of my friends and family know me at this size. I believe this comfort is a big part of why I can’t seem to crack this barrier.

I’m now trying to convince myself that 155 is my low number and I feel miserable at 175. That I actually "shut things down" when I see the 170s. I'm telling myself that I actually weighed between 155 and 175 in college rather than 175-195. I basically want to reset my mental weight formation by 20 pounds. I put my head on pictures of people who look like I believe I would at 155, telling myself these are photos from college. I also cleaned out my closet, trying to convince myself that I normally weigh 155-160 and have put on weight. Has anyone else tried anything like this? Does it sound crazy to you guys?

[philana]

hmmm, it sounds a little bit crazy if you don't mind me saying. LOL. Though I understand what you are getting at, it's the "fake it till you make it" mindset, which has inspired me to do stuff I never thought I could. So in that sense I think it might work.

But it also sounds like you don't want to accept where you have been? I think accepting it and closing the book on it might be just as effective. Not compare yourself to times in your life in the past but look ahead to where you want to be and why you want to remain there.

I can't remember any moment since puberty hit where I was comfortable with my body, I've been at 130 for most of my life, even as a teen. Going below that, which is my goal - is osmething I only remember from being a kid. Which is not to be compared. I also don't have any memories of being active in exercise ever, but I don't need to create these memories to make it easier on myself. It seems like a real test of who I am if I can transform myself into something I've not proven to be before. If you get what I am saying.

Anyhow, if you feel like you are not in denial about where you have been then I think it's fine if this works for you, but you have to be sure that you accept what has been so you can look forward to things to be.

[Scarlett]

I completely accept where I've been. It's more of a "fake it till you make it" type thing, like you said. I want to keep losing but feel a little too comfortable with where I am. Therefore I'm trying to convince myself that everyone knows me at 155-165, therefore if I see my college friends at where I am now, I'll look like I gained weight (though not really). In essence I'm trying to create a discomfort that isn't there.

[Moonsai]

This sounds like something I'm going through now, so it seems normal to me. Just don't go crazy if it gets harder to get to that lower weight. 155 for you is around a 22 BMI, so its definitely something to shoot for.

[Scarlett]

I'm pretty much positive this is a mental thing. I just tend to relax a little more once I reach the 170s and not be as strict with my eating. Once the size 10 jeans fit I feel pretty good and I let myself have more little cheats. I'm trying to reset my mental weight clock by 20 pounds. Hopefully this helps.

[shapedself]

Never tried anything like it, I'm curious to see how it works for you. Good luck.

[krampus]

I've never tried anything like that. It's not a bad idea though, since I'm comfortable at a range about 10 lbs over where I want to be.