[Naya23]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here so still learning the ropes. I thought I'd throw a question out there and talk about something that's been bugging me through out my weight loss journey so far. I started out at 310 lbs and have currently lost 70 lbs so I'm at almost 240. Now I realize that that's still overweight and I have a lot more to lose but I've been feeling as though I still see that same person in the mirror. I mean I see a change but I still see the flab and the belly fat and it really discourages me. I still have a large stomache and back flab that I wish I could just chop off lol... Any advice or words of encouragement? Or maybe someone's dealing with the same issue?

[Beach Patrol]

Hi Naya -
I think we all have dealt with that issue at one point or another. The only thing that helps me is to try on a pair of pants (or skirt, or bra, whatever!) that I wore at my "high weight" and then VISUALLY and PHYSICALLY notice just how far I've come.

I have this one pair of jeans that I use for that reason - when I start feeling like "my butt is SOOOOOO big!!!!!!" I put'm on... and I can't believe how much "smaller" I am now! It's a pretty good pick-me-up, and it does help keep me motivated!! Give it a try!

[Vex]

I hear a lot of people talk about that actually. It seems to be pretty common for the mind to have difficulty visualizing the body where it actually is.

I've also read quite a few comments from people who thought they opposite - that their brain wouldn't process the big person in the mirror and they thought they looked smaller and consequently kept gaining weight.

Keep taking pictures of yourself, that seems to help some people - especially before and afters.

As for your belly, I really didn't start to really see a difference in mine until maybe about 220. Some people just hold on to belly fat longer than others unfortunately. Keep going, I swear it will get better!

[Unicorn67]

I've noticed this too. Especially since not one person at my work has said a thing I think I must look the same. I too have one old big pair of pants that I try on so that I can see how very large they are now. Yesterday I ran into someone I hadn't seen for awhile and they really noticed and were so kind and complimentary that it just made my day. I know I'm still a really large person but it is coming off bit by bit.

[Brid]

I'll second the photos suggestion. I've taken three sets so far, at 17st 9, 16st, and 14st 9. It's amazing looking at them and seeing all these changes that I just don't see when I look in the mirror. It's also amazing looking at my back fat in the most recent set - I hadn't realised how much I had until I saw how much has gone!

High weight clothes are another good one. My stomach looks the same to me now as it did fifty pounds ago, but some of my vests are gaping around my stomach now. So either it's smaller, or someone's being altering my clothes while I'm not looking.

You still see a fat person in the mirror, because, despite an incredible loss (well done!) you're still technically a fat person. It sucks, a lot, and sometimes it makes it feel like this is going to take forever. But it helps to remember that fat isn't just one size, and even though you've still a fair way to go, you really are a lot less fat than you once were. And that's worth celebrating, I reckon.

[JohnP]

Originally Posted by Naya23

Any advice or words of encouragement? Or maybe someone's dealing with the same issue?

I've got two.

Don't quit!

Sounds to me like you're doing fantastic. If you have been taking pictures along the way I am certain you would see a HUGE difference. Since we look at ourselves every day in the mirror we don't notice the day to day changes. I remember thinking I looked exactly the same at 285 as I did when I was 260. Then I looked at the pictures ...

If you want to look better naked - start lifting weights. Heavy weights. This will temporarily stall your WEIGHT loss as your body adapts but it will not affect your fat loss short term. Long term it will speed up your fat loss.

[MOLE]

YES....Old photos compared with current ones and OLD clothes are EXCELLENT suggestions!!! People who see you everyday won't notice and no one sees you MORE than YOURSELF!!! Cograts on the weight loss--thats A LOT of progress you've made!!!

[Elliemar]

Pics and try on old clothes - definitely. This always shocks me when I have one of those moments.

And well done on your 70lb loss - fantastic!!

[AriesNV]

Congrats on your 70 lbs! Sometimes our stomachs look the same, as far as the shape and looks of it...however, what isn't so easily visible is how it, as a whole, is shrinking. Your "belly" isn't just going to shrink inward and flatten, sometimes the inches come off and the belly looks the same. Pictures help you see the difference.. Kind of like having two globes side by side and one is half the size as the other...they're both blue and round, just a smaller version of that.

[time2lose]

I have definitely felt the same way. As the others have said, pictures help. Loose clothes also help. But realizing how much better I feel makes the biggest difference. Thinking about the things that I can do now that I could not do at my highest weight helps.

Do you feel better? Did something, like your knees, hurt and have quit hurting? Can you walk further? Do you fit in seats better?

Try to think of all the improvements you have made. Then keep going. You can do this!

[NateC]

70lbs is fantastic! well done! Take pictures every 2 weeks and this will help you see the ACTUAL changes and keep you motivated!

[Naya23]

Wow you guys are super incredibly awesome! The support here is unbelievable Thank you all for the suggestions, I definitely will start taking pictures and trying on old clothes just to gain some perspective. You're all right, I have made a great accomplishment and I think sticking around on this site will do me a world of good. Thanks again