Hello everyone,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm new here and I just started a new weight loss journey almost two weeks ago. I have noticed that since I've started, I seem to feel worse about my appearance! I think it's because I am more focused on how I look...whereas during the last year (I gained 50 lbs!), I have completely ignored my appearance.

I gained weight due to chronic daily migraines and stress related to having a child with special needs. The migraines are a lot better and I'm sick of feeling like a blimp! I figured that there aren't too many things I can control in life, so I might as well try to control what I eat and how I look. When I'm thin, I look SO much better and as sad as it is, people treat me differently. I still have friends who stick with me through thick and thin, but now, I feel more self-consious than ever about my size.

Anyone else feel this way? Just wondering....

Oh yes, I felt that way. It was like I stopped "pretending" I wasn't overweight and finally confronted reality. It's a tough moment and it's part of what makes changing lifestyle habits so HARD! You'd think you'd feel a burst of pride for suddenly deciding that "enough is enough" but instead so many of us feel even WORSE. It's unfair isn't it? But those feelings begin to fade and you will begin to feel good about the changes you are making!

I'm glad your migraines are better and you're embarking on this journey for your health. Welcome to the site and Good luck!

Hi there LUCKY and . . . I think this little section of your post says it all . . . . . . Once you start seeing and feeling more of the results of your efforts, I'm sure you'll feel better about things. Rest assured that you are heading in the right direction and that we are all here to support you along the way . . .

I feel that way, too. It's because I've been 'looking away' from myself for awhile, and now, to deal with the weight thing, I have to look directly at myself, and I found I've let myself down. Once I start to see some results, though, I know I'll feel better, and then I'll feel more motivated.

Welcome

I have felt like that and I did notice that people would treat me differently too and say things (especially family)

I would look at myself and get sick and depressed and go binge on crappy food. But I am happy with who I am now, this is me I have no choice but to love it.

Glad to hear you are feeling better as well.

Welcome.

When I first put the food down, not eating junkfood and binging, I found my feelings that I had been stuffing down started coming up. I felt worse initially. Food helped numb & comfort me. It takes some time to adjust and learn new emotional skills.

My eating issues are not just about hunger or lack of will power. That's just my experience.

Amy

Welcome!!! I have to say, I still find myself thinking that sometimes, not being comfortable with how I look. I think it's because it's our own bodies and we're more critical of ourselves than anyone else. People can tell me I look great or whatever, but I still don't believe it. I guess there's a part of me that wants to think that so I don't get comfortable with where I'm at and start gaining again. I dunno, maybe I'm just weird Good Luck!!!

I definitely noticed that. There was something comforting about never worrying about how I looked. I had such a hard time finding clothes that even fit, that I think as a kind of "defense mechanism" I pretended it didn't matter how I looked.

I am so much more critical now sometimes! Other times I revel in my new body and my new look!

Thank you so much for all of your responses! I do feel so welcome here and I know I'm not crazy for feeling this way. I will try to focus on my accomplishments and not to dwell on the unwanted poundage! I'll see you all around!
Thanks!

Welcome. I can definitely relate to how you feel. I actually thought I felt fairly okay about myself when I was at my high weight, but after I lost 40 pounds or so I started to be pretty self conscious. I realized that, although I looked much better at 200 than I did at 240, I never cared much before whereas after some weight loss I began caring about my appearance. I'd rather care and be disappointed, as I am currently, than not care and realize that I have given up on my appearance althogether as I did before.