Mental body image

[cherry59]

I was wondering how long it has taken other graduates to finally accept their new body image. I finished in March and mainly have kept to within 3 kg of finishing weight. Now back to within 500g of finishing.

Even though I automatically reached for size 8 pants I still had this niggle in the brain that said that's not really your size.
As I walked past mirrors I had trouble pairing the reflection with my mental picture.

Today is the first time I feel I have changed my mental image of my shape

How have others dealt with this issue?
Cherry

[lucylou]

Hi Cherry

Check out this thread http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5248

Seems you're not alone. When I'm full after a meal I still feel as though I'm as fat as ever!

x

Loulou

[louise41]

Im not finished yet but I still have to double check the size 8 labels and feel like someone has accidently put the wrong labels on my clothes and I can relate to what Loulou is saying also, my stomache feels full and I immediatley equate that to being overweight!

[ConnieK..]

Ohhh me three I see myself in the mirror as being as big as I ever was.

And I am still sure everyone sees my excess skin on my belly and thinks I am a size 22 ... I NEVER feel thin EVER.

Sucks and I am seeing a counsellor ..... maybe it will change.

Connie

[SuzieQ]

I can relate as well. It really hasn't sunk in for me yet that I'm not overweight, I have to remind myself every day. I think that is why I was having such a hard time starting my refeed before reaching my 52kg goal, in my head for some reason I thought I am still fat until I reach 52kg which is crazy I know.

I guess it's just an adjustment for us and as time passes we will get used to it and not even think about when we were big after a while.

Suzie

[thenewvee]

yep, I'm struggling with this as well!
I'm wearing size 10 clothes, the smallest I've ever worn as an adult, and yet my BMI is still in the overweight range, albeit not for too much longer!
I catch a glimpse of myself and I can't help admiring how good I look when I realise it IS me!! Then I need to look again, just to make sure and to savour that moment, almost like I have to try and hold onto it, cause it won't last......
Like everyone else, I'm still working on this too!

Vee

[fair rose_za]

When i look in the mirror i see FAT..literally! But then i still have a way to go. I am sorry though to see so many who have kinda lost the love for oneself..which has resulted in a low self esteem which i have a feeling i will relate to when i get there. I think we all need to relearn to love ourselves, and once within our normal BMI's to accept that it's normal to fluctuate within the range. Maybe we should stop looking in the mirrors perhaps and just go on the way we feel and know that we are healthy(almost in my case)
I do acknowledge though that it's scary being in that 'FAT' place that one becomes paranoid of going there again

[JennyC]

A big DITTO to everything Vee said......I am still trying to get my head around the new me thats emerging

[louise41]

I have had some interesting experiences recently where I have had interactions with strangers who assume I have always been slim. I have chosen not to tell them otherwise and I think perhaps it is the comments from people like that that may help me to intergrate my new image - eventually. But I totally relate to what you are saying

[Ronky]

Yes I totaly understand. Im not there yet but I know when I walk past a window or look in the mirror I just see belly. I put my size 14 and 12's on and still feel like Im wearing a size 18 or 20. I was looking at a dress the other day and thought there is no way I can wear that Im too big and bulky then I put it on and Im not and it looks good. I know I will still feel this way even at size 8 or 10 but have decided that I will see someone about it if I do.

The other thing that freaks me out is the male attention. I always had a little but nothing like this. I cant hide behind fat anymore so I feel a little exposed. Im going to be doing boxing and personal training when Im on maintenance so this will make me feel more secure. Not that Im going to go around and punch every guy in the face that looks at me though (I hope I dont anywayha ha!!).

[louise41]

Ronky just take that male attention as a sign that your looking great! You dont have to act on, sometimes its nice to just enjoy the compliments as long as they are not off colour