Yay...So a NSV but a question...
 

I've been seeing losses on the scale but I couldn't really tell a difference by looking at myself in the mirror. So I decided to do comparison pics and I can finally see my stomach starting to shrink....The difference in the two pics is about 15 pounds, give or take...

But I do have a question? I know that we can't see ourselfs how we are because of body dysmorphic disorder that some of us have. But how are we able to see the differences in pictures? Why is our vision of ourselfs so dysfunctional in mirrors?

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/7637/nsv.png

Ps...Excuse the lack of bra :o

That's an interesting question. Why do we accept the photo as an objective reflection but not what we see in the mirror? I think lots of people (not just those with body dysmorphic disorder) have trouble seeing themselves in the mirror, just like we have trouble hearing our own voice. I think it's all about subjectivity, in the most basic sense of that word.

Regardless - you look fantastic!

That is definitely a good question! I haven't lost enough to see a difference, but I look at myself constantly be it in the mirror or otherwise and question whether or not I see a change.

You do indeed look fantastic! :) Keep up the great work!

I think we see it in photos because it is a frozen moment - not an active moment - in time. We adjust what we see in the mirror to fit what we think we should see. It's subjective. The photo is proof of what we actually look like. This applies when we look at a photo taken right now compared to what we see in the mirror right now.

And, of course, we can easily compare difference in photos taken some time apart, (it's objective) where using memory to make an accurate comparison isn't reliable. This applies in the comparison of how we looked at a certain weight as opposed to how we look now.

You look wonderful, by the way. Keep up the great work.

Lin

You do look great, and I see differences all over, not just in your stomach.

That is a good question. But. I dont think I could see a difference by just taking a picture either tho. You kinda have to put two pictures side by side.
And I guess, because you see your body everyday its hard to remember what it actually looked like a month ago. So I dont think it matters if its a picture or a mirror. You cant tell the difference, unless you know what you are comparing it to.

Anyway. You look great. I can tell theres a huge difference. Way to go!

I agree with linJber I think the problem is that when we look in the mirros we a.) don't have an accurate picture of ourselves in our mind and b.) we focus on our proportions rather than the absolute sizes.

I know for me b is definitely the more difficult one. My midsection is where I always focus on (I have a rounded stomach) and it's easy to let yourself think that because it's rounded you haven't lost anything. But that's not true! Once you look at measurements you can see that's flat out wrong and before/after photos show the difference too. However, just looking in the mirror allows you to have a fault prior image of yourself where you know you had the rounded stomach before and it's still there instead of look at the actual shrinking of the whole thing.

Another thing I'd suggest. If you have any clothes that are made out of tight spandex (like workout clothes especially) take pictures at regular intervals throughout your journey. Other items of clothing can mask the loss because of the way they're tailored and sometimes the material doesn't comform to all your curves.