Ok, so before I even say anything, I know I am probably being irrational and overly sensitive but please let me whine anyway.


So I am just messing around cruising the forums with some free time and I seen numerous before and after pics from some of you inspirational ladies now. Very inspiring and very motivational. However in all of the cases I have seen so far the ladies started out much heavier than I did and lost a significant amount of weight, but as I get to their after pics and see they weigh more than me but look a lot smaller I start to feel insecure. (I did say I was being over sensitive).

One blog I was reading the girl was an inch taller than me and five pounds lighter and wore a size 10 jean. I wear a 16.

I guess I am just feeling insecure after the holidays and need some support.

Hey! Some of it has to do with sizing differences. As you see from my start and goal weights, I lost 50 pounds. At the lowest, I wore a size 14 petite. These days I'm back up to 16. Now, that's the "old" sizing. I also have some "new" sized clothes that are a 2, or is it 4...? Not sure.

My point is, you can't compare clothing sizes. They are arbitrary numbers and they change. I can think of few things less important than what size one's jeans are. They should fit comfortably, and that's about it.

So, maybe it would be good to concentrate on yourself and your efforts to become healthy and slimmer, and not make comparisons. This isn't a contest, after all!

Jay

I know exactly how you feel Here's some things to consider though...

Pictures are great, but a single photo doesn't tell you the "truth" about someone. Angles, lighting, poses, and clothing choice can really deceive the way someone looks. You've probably seen a million pictures with "myspace" angles, which can make anyone appear as though they're thin.

Knowing other people's body fat percentage, along with your own, is very important if you're going to compare yourself to others. Read this (it's very interesting!).

Body fat percentage could explain why someone who is equal weight and height to you can wear much smaller pants... or perhaps you're built differently, or maybe they opt for vanity sizing... (Or, honestly, they could just be lying.)

It's tough, I know.

I feel like that too sometimes surfing around here. Girls that weigh more and are running miles! like how the ****!? Im winded from walking up my stairs! But everyone different. Me best friend and I have a 7in height difference and im 20lbs heavier and we wear the same size jeans if you can believe it.

Wow, thank you ladies for being so supportive and not calling me a cry baby. lol

I totally understand not comparing clothing. I guess it was because she looked so much smaller than me but to be honest(with myself especially) I haven't done a lot of working out yet and whos to say she doesn't work out three times a week or more. I am on WW and have lost 53 pounds thus far but most of that is just eating right. I am just now starting to incorporate working out into my regimen. I know I am being silly, thanks for listening to it though.

Wow, thanks for sharing that link, very informative.

I know the feeling exactly. Even taking into account new sizing, vanity sizing, UK-US sizing differences, there are still people my height, same or higher weight, wearing smaller clothes and looking smaller too.

I put it down to
*me being a genetic apple ~ I do not have a waist. Even in another 50lbs time, I will not have a waist.
*me not being toned. I've walked a lot an am a lot fitter but I don't do any toning exercises
*S.d's Law ~ it just is.

Tschaff04 - there could be just as many chickies looking at your stats and thinking, Why not me? You've lost over half your total goal, you've broken the 200 barrier, you're doing incredibly well. Somewhere there's a chick wondering why you can do it and she can't. We're all somebody else's inspiration! (and no, it wasn't whiny)

so true! 50 lbs is amazing. congrats! I get focused on the size of this or that (my legs, usually, or upper arms), envious of the the weight loss successes, so I don't think it's weird or whiny. (I'd love to be under 200 lbs, btw!! ha)

WEIGHT LIFTING!

That's what does it.

When we lose weight, as much as 40% of what we lose could actually be muscle. If one strength trains while losing weight, she can be certain that more of what is lost is FAT instead. That is why two women the same height and weight can wear completely different sizes.

I feel I am a perfect example of that. When I first came here I noticed everyone my height/weight wore smaller clothes than me and I felt like you do. Now that I've lost 80 pounds with heavy cardio and heavy lifting I am wearing a size 6/8 but am still overweight! I feel like I weigh heavier than I look.

Just food for thought.

This post was exactly what I needed. Thank you so much for the kind words.

And you are right. I just need to keep in mind that I am making great progress myself. This might be the motivation I need to start a solid exercise regimen.

Thanks! I am truly proud of my progress I don't want to seem like I am not happy for the success I have had so far. I guess I just needed a little encouragement. You ladies are awesome.

You are beyond right! I have not incorporated much exercise and cardio into my journey up until this point. I plan on starting the 30 day shred this week. It's not much but I am trying to gradually get up to a good work out regimen.