For you to see your true physical self in your reflection? Were you able to see the gradual changes as you gained weight? Or, was it not until much later, after a significant amount of weight was gained?

We tend to talk about how we didn't realize how heavy we've gotten until we see pictures of ourselves. This was true for me as well. And even after I'd seen myself in the pictures, I still didn't see myself the same way in the mirror. It wasn't until the last year or so that I have truly been able to really begin to see what I have done to myself physically. I don't see "me" in my reflection anymore, and I'm hoping it will be an added incentive for me to get myself in gear and make things happen!

Apparently I was clueless even buying bigger sizes (denial). I started seeing it a couple years ago in photos and then it really hit me when I saw our video from last year's vacation. That did it.

I have to admit I was just as clueless about my gain, I looked in the mirror and at pictures and went yep that is me. Until I was going through my son's photo album, and wow there was a huge difference from 6 years ago to now. who knew that 6 years and two more kids could give you 40 pounds you never saw creapin on. I never really noticed the size change either, when I was pregnant I just borrowed my Mom's clothes, and honestly I still wear some of the maternity tops that I bought cause they are so cute! I just said those jeans don't fit cause my hips got wider. Man was I lying to myself. lol!

I may not have lost a whole lot yet, but I can wear some of my old jeans now! that was one of my mini goals, the more inches I lose the closer to the bottom of the stack of jeans I get. I am very excited!

40 lbs ago ~ when you talked about wearing some of your maternity tops because they were cute ~ it reminded me of that time in my life and brought back memories that made me laugh. I bought a maternity top because I thought it was cute. I didn't care that I wasn't pregnant ~ I just liked the top, until I wore it to church one Sunday and another girl had on the same top. Hers was covering a baby belly, mine was just covering a fat belly. I was embarrassed and didn't do that again. LOL.

I think I didn't admit it to myself until I started having physical problems. I was just living in denial about how bad it really was.

I didn't really start seriously clueing in until recently. I knew I was fat, could see it in all kinds of pictures and whenever I looked in the mirror but recently I think I must have added some weight in my face because it just didn't look like me anymore. It really goaded me into a serious effort to lose weight.

I'm not sure that I didn't see it, I just wasn't ready to face it and didn't acknowledge it. I knew that I was getting bigger, from the mirror and size change but I didn't let it register because I needed it, I think I was scared to acknowledge it because then I would have to do something about it.

The thing that catches me off guard is the difference between my mirrors at home that I intentionally look into while I'm getting ready and the mirrors I randomly happen upon out in the world. I don't think I look that bad when I'm getting ready for work. But it's when I catch my reflection accidentally in a store etc. that I really see myself as I truly am - lumps, rolls, and all.

It works both ways though. I once lost over 120 pounds and felt fat even then. I couldn't see myself for what I was. Pictures from that time amaze me now. I never felt half as thin as I was...

That's how I was. But, now I see myself the same everywhere I look. Very interesting points of view from all.

I always knew I was big but I can't say that I just realized it one day. However I did realize my physical problems of not being able to get around anymore.

I have a buddy here at work and he is the size I was and I can't believe how hard he breaths and how hard it is for him to get around. I get mad at myself for ever letting myself be that way. I look at him and I see what I was. I never seen it in myself that much but now that I look back I sure can see it.