Alright, this is going to sound like a whiney "I'm so fat" thread, and I know there are a ton of threads like this already. I don't mean for it to be an attention seeking pity party, I'm just venting.

I KNOW that my body has changed. I am wearing 6's in the same brand of jeans that I was wearing 12's in September. I get compliments all the time on how skinny I look now. It's just fact, I am smaller than I was. But I truly don't understand why I can't look in the mirror and see the difference that everyone else sees. Even in much smaller clothes, I see the exact same reflection in the mirror as I did 30+lbs ago. I just don't get it.

For one, as I've discussed here, I am the poster child of "skinny fat." While I've lost weight, I am still roughly the same body fat percentage. I'm now taking steps to correct this issue with much more strength training. So I know that as I get stronger, I'll get a leaner look.

But still, I used to think that losing even 20lbs was an impossible task. And if I somehow managed to lose that weight, it would solve all of my body issues and I'd be the beautiful confident girl that I've always wanted to be. So it's frustrating now that I've lost this weight, and in a few weeks, I'm sure I'll be at goal...going much further than I ever thought possible....and I still see the exact same body in the mirror.

I have the same problem areas...blubbery thighs, poochy tummy, back fat that pretty much blends my back into my butt. And so on. It's just depressing. I've read it several times here that the last 10lbs makes a huge difference...I'm really hoping that's true.

Your brain is fighting you. Basically, your visual system doesn't really "see" you - it sees your basic outline/features and fills in the rest of the picture that you see based on previous versions of you. This means you recognize things you see often faster (a good thing), but it also means that if your body changes, your visual system actually lags behind reality for a long while. What you are seeing isn't "you", it's the conglomerate image of your outline plus all the past memories of "you", formed to something you "see" that is somewhere in between.

You can break this with photographs, because the scale is so different...so look at side by side photos of before and now. Since your body won't pattern-recognize the scaled-down you, you'll see that photo as it really is, and it'll look different.

I definitely understand what you mean. Honestly, I've lost almost 85 pounds and I still don't see it IN THE MIRROR. This is why I love pictures. It's undeniable. The problem (although, this is actually a good thing) is that most people get smaller proportionally. So your stomach is still just as big as it was when you compare it to how it looks above your thighs. Ya know? I believe (or I really hope) that once my body fat % gets smaller, and I get that muscle definition, I'll look thinner with my clothes OFF as well as on. I think that you kinda hit the nail on the head with the whole skinny fat thing and the last 10 pounds.

What you need to do is take photos, then look at them compared to the photos of you "back then". Your eyes will always see the fat chick in the mirror, it's just how it is.

Funny, not sure why it happens, but everyone I know who's lost a decent amount of weight says the same thing.

Absolutely - take photos. They're very telling (which is why I avoided the camera for 2 decades or so!).

And yes, give the old brain some time to catch up.

And one more thing - without a doubt - you will be SHOCKED, AMAZED and THRILLED with having those last 10 lbs off. It really DOES make a HUGE difference. Just realize that those last 10 lbs off are coming off a smaller thing - a smaller you, so though it's the same 10 lbs - the percentages are larger. Plus if you're down to the last 10 lbs of fat, well then it stands to reason that it HAS to come off of the last place that it's holding on to.

Do you see a difference clothed? I see a big difference in myself clothed but when I'm naked, I look exactly the same. The same fat is in the same places it was before, all 37 lbs of it.

Sounds like body dismorphia (sp?). I have it also. It doesn't matter what I weigh I am fat no matter what size I am. It usually helps to have a friend or two to bring me back to reality.

You've done so well why spoil it with an unnecessary anxiety.

Blessings,

Sharon

Everyone's comments are making me feel better I tried whining about this to my friend who is overweight. We were originally going to lose the weight together, but she lost interest after about a week. When I told her I felt like I looked the same, she said "you're skinny now, just shut up and deal with it." I'm sure she took it as I was trying to fish for compliments, but I really was not.

I have looked at pictures, and there is an undeniable difference. My face, my arms, my body are all smaller. Eliana, yes, I definitely can see the difference with clothes on, but as soon as I'm naked, it's like I haven't lost a pound. I really really can't wait until my exercise starts being noticable on my body.

Just for kicks and giggles, here is a before and current photo. Neither are great to really compare anything, but I can see the difference. And again, I'm not fishing for compliments or anything, just sharing.

Before...size 12/13 jeans (I'm the one in the brown shirt)


And from this weekend in size 6's. The changes are subtle, but I think they're noticable.

Megan, I can definitely see the difference! You found your waist! You are much curvier now--you look adorable by the way. Those last 10 lbs do make a huge difference, trust me. Even though it took me about 4-6 months to lose the last 10 lbs, I'm glad I did it.

Megan,

You look absolutely beautiful, and there is a definite and noticeable difference.

I just want to caution you about looking in the mirror and feeling like you are "still fat". It's important that you are working through this issue.

When I was a teen, I did WW and got down to a BMI of 18. I was never going to be able to maintain such a low weight, but I clearly remember looking in the mirror and all I could see was that I was "still fat".

You can't diet away the "still fat" feeling. I think that part comes from inside your mind. You are a very beautiful girl with an amazing figure right now.

Believing that may be the most important thing right now, maybe even more important that losing another ten pounds. Because you could lose thirty more pounds and be skeletal and still see a fat girl in the mirror if your mind is not on board.

KUDOS to you for your GREAT WORK! You look amazing!

I also wanted to mention that the truth is you may never have "the perfect body", whatever the heck that really is. But you will have the "perfect" body that was intended FOR YOU. It is what it is and hopefully over time you will make peace with it.

You look AMAZING. Your smile alone is dazzling. I see a trim, fit, happy, health conscious, bright, accomplished and yes confident young woman.

Keep on the great work and know that you are doing "right" by your body and I hope that your brain will catch up with all that you've accomplished and will continue to do.

A similar caution to Uber's, when I was your age I was wearing a size 3 and STILL thought I was fat. I got frustrated with the store where I tried on the size 3's insisting they had mislabeled them. It was around that point that I kind of gave up. I couldn't seem to get thin (IN MY MIND) so why bother. I can't believe how incredibly stupid I was.

So, so, so many women my age (30's) say similar things. We didn't know how good we had it then.

You are so beautiful.

Sharon

You look fantastic! I agree with what everyone has stated thus far. Good job! :-)

I find that pictures are the best at helping me see the differences in my body.

What you have done is remarkable, and I DEFINITELY see a difference. Way to go! And don't give up!!

That being said, I totally relate to how you feel. I went from 220+ lbs down to 130, and even at 130, I still had the same flab in my belly, my butt, etc. Looking at pictures, I could totally tell a difference, but looking in the mirror, I felt the same. I think a part of my issue was that I expected myself to look like a supermodel when I got to my goal, and I still didn't. A lot of that has to do with the excess skin I have. It just tore me apart, because it was like, why did I do all of this work and still not be able to wear a damn bikini!

Now, I'm trying to work through all of that. I've let myself slip diet wise, up to 153 now, and I'm trying to lose that again. But I think now, I have much more of a realistic mind set. Because now, instead of wanted to look like Megan Fox, I'm just trying to look like me again.

Don't give up, and even in your avatar you look gorgeous and fit to me. By the way, if you have any advice on what you're doing to get to your goal weight, (we're about the same height) I'd love some advice and motivation. Seems like after I lost it the first time, it's near IMPOSSIBLE to lose it again.

And if I remember correct, your man is in the service? I'm sure he is beyond WOWED with your progress!!!