Welcome, trabo2009! I had a really bad case of denial for years, so I can totally relate. I'd look at myself in mirrors and not see myself as "that bad." I mean, I could see my cheeks got chubbier and the roll around my gut got bigger, but I didn't think it was
that bad. And I'd half heartedly try to diet, but I kept saying, "Oh, I'll start tomorrow" or "Since I'm starting tomorrow, I'll have one big food blowout tonight" only I didn't start the next day. So I'd binge and binge on food for years. I only started to see myself clearly when I started seeing pictures of myself. Seeing myself the way other people saw me was horrible. The double chin, the smooshed face, the huge arms, THIS GUT... And even that wasn't enough to get me really serious. I knew I had to change when I started getting physically ill because of my weight. Heartburn, acid reflux, acne, sleep apnea..... I hate that it had to come to that, but at least it got me serious about it. I found this site and have been trying to come daily because the girls (and guys) here are so inspiring and supportive. It makes me wanna stay on track. The challenges threads keep me accountable. The goal threads give me something to look forward to. One day I'm gonna be in those threads!!
I hope this site is as motivating for you as it is for me and I hope to one day read your post in the goal threads as well! Goodluck!!!