Body image: Any advice?

Hello!  This is my first post here, though I've lurked around for a little while now!  I've got a question for the people here, so I'll give a little back story to my problem.

I'm 22 years old, I'm right about 140 at the moment, and in my last year of college.  I've fluctuated from 150ish to my current weight a few times, and I've decided to become healthier.  I'm seeing great results, I'm being positive and not doing too much too soon, I'm being healthy and losing weight safely and eating right--and good amounts, too!  (Not three tic-tacs and a piece of lettuce good amounts, I mean, but the REAL kind of good amounts!)  I have more energy than ever!

I know I'm doing things right, and everyone in my life is very positive, and I've never been made to feel ugly or unwanted.  I know I was never at a crazy high weight, or even at an unhealthy weight, and I'm slowly becoming more confident--my problem is that I still feel like the biggest person in the room when I walk into class!  It's really very ridiculous, and not logical at all, but I know that these things often aren't.  I look in the mirror, and instead of seeing progress, I see a long way to go.  I want to change my attitude about this, but I don't know how.

I can safely say that part of the problem is my environment--it can't just be my college--some (a lot) of these girls I could break over my knee!  I shouldn't look at that and want to look that way, and I know no one expects me to--no one but me, anyway.  I just wonder if anyone has some advice or some experience on self confidence and body image--which is a lot more important than dropping a few vanity pounds.

I think it is ok to feel what you feel. What you need to do is to twist that feeling into motivation. People who are content will not strive for a change. People who see something lacking will do something to make up for what's missing.

So, in this case being self-conscious is not a bad thing. Self-conscious as in: conscious about how you look - wanting to present yourself as best as you can in your current condition.

Also, keep a "Before" picture all the time. That should keep you in perspective. 

It is great to hear about your achievement so far. Keep up your motivation! :)

When you look in the mirror try putting a pair of pant that were too tight b4 on and then look. That's what I plan to do as I go. Today I put on a pair of my freshly washed jeans and didn't have to struggle to zip them!!!

When I was in high school I was a runner, and was fit and not overweight.  But I had breasts and hips and would look at the skinny girls with envy, wondering why I didn't look like that.  My body type is just different.  It took a while to appreciate it.

When you say that you look at really skinny girls and say that you don't want to look like that, that's a really good clue for how to get a more realistic image.  In college, and elsewhere, take a look at the various different shapes and sizes that women come in.  Can you see examples that are less like the frail girls you don't want to look like, and more like your natural shape, and a level of size and fitness you would want?

 

Please remove, wrong account. I thought I was on my account, but I was on my fiances'. I will post my comment using my account.

Hi, I am not under my fiances' account(again sorry). My name is Kelly and I am 24 years old and I am at 157lbs. I am not happy with my body, so thats why I am here. This is actually my first day.I had to realize that loosing weight doesn't happen over nite. Just take things one day at a time. Try not to focus on loosing weight so much. When I look in the mirror and see those side boobs and big stomach, I also focus on other parts of my body. Such as my eyes, my personality. I am sure that if I was to see a pic of you, I would not laugh are make fun. You are probably a very attractive person. Sometimes it seems like my mind plays tricks on me. I look in the mirror and see a fat woman. But when I say that Im fat around others, they look at me like I am crazy. They tell me that they would love to be my shape and size. Your mind and imagination can be your worst enemy. Also what helps is reading "The Daily Bread". I read this at the beginning of each day to keep me focused and positive. Im not the most religious person, but this does help to keep me motivated. Add me to your friend list so we can help keep each other motivated.

Thanks for the replies!  I just had a chance to go through them now!  I appreciate getting the different viewpoints, and I very much liked the suggestion of trying on pants to get kind of an 'instant gratification' and as proof that it's working! 

 I can happily say that I need a new pair of jeans, as I can take them on an off without unbuttoning them!  It was a great feeling--if only my wallet agreed!  I can't wait/dread needing a whole new wardrobe :D