I'm kind of praying it's that. Because I look at myself in the mirror and still see this HUGE person. I want it to go away. It makes things more difficult because when my self esteem takes a hit I want to dive straight for the cupboard (I don't, but still...)

Boo, it's a bad day . Tell me this will eventually go away!

Well, I think its definitely body image issues. I can't see you, but at nearly 5'10" and 177 pounds, I don't think you must be huge. I plugged in the numbers and your BMI is barely overweight. Granted everyone has a different gauge of what is big, and you may find yourself too big, but I think to the rest of the world you must appear pretty normal sized.

That said, I can see you are located in Japan. I was living in Japan until recently, and the size of the women there did make me feel very self-conscious.

Whatever the case, I am sure tomorrow will be a better day

Isn't it funny? Some days you'll feet AMAZING and other days you want to hide. Yet nothing about your body has actually changed.

It's just a bad day, it'll pass. Remind yourself of all your hard work and make tomorrow a positive day

Girl, you have lost the equivelant size of a 12 year old girl. We may not see it at first but I think most people who have lost a lot of weight say it took a while for them. I would think being in Japan would really confuse you in being compared to the smaller women in general. I am about where you are when you started and you truely are my inspiration to keep going. 82 lbs, WOW! I just can't wait to be your current weight!

Oh, and yes it will go away. ALL wonderful things take some time!

I am still waiting for it to go away myself. I have been maintaining my current weight (within 5 pounds) for well over a year now. I wear a size 2 and XS or S shirt.....yet the mirror still shows me this huge woman that I was. I too hope it will go away soon, its an obsession

I think it will go away! And I am sure you look awesome!

I am only 5'2" and weigh in the 180s.. I couldn't imagine being 5'9".. a girl can dream.. lol

But I have the OPPOSITE problem as you do. I have gained and gained.. but I never saw myself getting bigger. When I look in the mirror I don't see a short fat girl. But when I see a PHOTO. Its like OMG that is me?! EWE.

You have done amazing girl.. strut your stuff!

I've just restarted my weight loss journey, so I can't share from that experience. BUT I remember in high-school when I weighed between 180-190 that I felt HUGE. Like I thought I was so incredibly fat. But now that I weigh 250, I am dying to get back to that size. Being at the weight I am now really put that weight that I thought was so huge into perspective. And once I'm back down to that weight, I will probably still think I am too big. In fact, my ultimate goal is 30lbs below at 150.

I guess what I'm saying is that perspectives change, and you are probably just getting used to your new body. Also, if you remember having weighed less than your current weight, that could be affecting it as well. Like if you remember weighing 150, for example, then you know what you look like at that weight, so it could be affecting how you're viewing your 175 body. Just hang in there and hopefully you'll feel better with a new day!

I have the same issue. I've been told it'll go away eventually (like after so long maintaining a goal weight I guess). A good friend of mine recently told me I look great and it's amazing how different I look. I don't see it at all. Like, AT ALL.

I even took pictures at my high weight and compare them to pictures now, and while I can see a little difference, for me it doesn't seem like much has changed other than how I feel (much better).

I haven't lost as much as you (but I hope to!), but I'm guessing it might last a while if not longer. From what I've seen, it takes some time.

Good luck - You've done amazing so far!

I know how you feel. I'm wearing size 2 jeans right now, and today for some reason I still feel absolutely gigantic. Yesterday, on the other hand, I felt like I looked fab. I think it just takes time.

Thanks guys! I'm feeling a bit better today . I wore a fab black wrap dress yesterday and some tall boots and felt OK about myself. You're right... it probably does take time for our brains to catch up. I wish it'd hurry it up already!!!

I bet Japan isn't helping matters, seeing as you're taller than most of the men here. Have you been home yet since losing weight? That will do your ego a whole lot of good.

I had a breakthrough over the weekend. My image of myself completely changed and I suddenly realized I was smaller and occupied less space. Not sure if that happens for everyone or not but I suddenly feel much more "zen" about everything.

Looking at the "before" pictures can also keep you grounded and your head in check.

Yeah Japan is not helping matters at all!! I take my daughter to a playgroup where I'm the only American mom. Sometimes their husbands come and I'm the biggest person in the room in every way possible :P. I haven't been home since last November but I do live and work on a military base... It's just hard to see myself in relation to other people, I guess. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around my body being 'normal' after being morbidly obese for so long!

Krampus- I'm glad you're feeling more zen I love that!

It comes in waves. A little while ago someone reminded me that most Japanese girls my height are at least 20 lbs smaller than I am and suddenly I feel like Moby Dick again.

I bet you look great Val. Hopefully neither of us will go insane.

I don't know so much. With some people it simply just disappears, and with others it's a thing which sticks with them for life. It all depends to which degree you have it.

I hate it! No matter how much I weigh I still see FAT. Even when I was 107 I still saw fat

I wish you well x