In my experience, it takes time. And patience. And acceptance. I was a size 22 and am now a size 6 (I posted some pics in the mini-goal photo area if you want to see) and I remember being a size 10, thinking that all of the things I hated about my body before were still problem areas for me and that I had worked so hard and it felt like nothing had changed. I plateaued there for a long time, this exact struggle keept me from pushing forward.
I still have my days of feeling grumpy about my thighs or stomach or whatever, but I've also really worked on focusing on the positive. I have to make a conscious effort to re-train my thinking, because it isn't natural all the time- I have to tell myself that I
am healthy, I
am fit, I
do kick a$$ in the gym. (I tend to focus more on fitness than skinny-ness...it's more meaningful to me, I guess). I have also accepted that I am a work in progress and always will be! I have crazy stretch marks and some loose skin and I have wholeheartedly accepted that. They are my battle scars; they remind me I can do anything.
I grew up overweight, so this "fat identity" was something that was part of who I was. I feel like overcoming this was something that took (and is still taking
) some serious work- just like shedding the physical weight- and for me, it didn't happen by itself. But with time I've been able to break away from that image.
You are looking awesome and you've come so far! Remind yourself of this- consciously think about it. Keep kicking a$$ and you'll get there!