Feeling skinny [vs.] Looking Big

Okay so i've been walking around 2-3 miles a night (walking instead of running so I loose weight & avoid gaining muscle) and have been doing leg lifts, crunches, and bicycles every night.

I feel great, when I walk around I don't feel fat at all but when I lift up my shirt in the mirror at night, all I see is the same fat that I had before...why??

Does anyone have this problem??

If you are building muscle but not losing fat, then your muscle is UNDER your fat. You didn't say what you are doing as far as trying to lose fat goes ... Is it possible that you are seeing the same old fat but that your image of yourself is distorted? 

Im 105 pounds right now.  Everyone claims Im skinny.  I seriously see myself as a short fat chick.  But I don't believe anyone besides myself.

sunshine - You know... crunches will create abs muscles. Actually leg lifts and even bicycling too, unless you bike at 0 resistance and very slow/leisurely pace. Walking, how fast is the pace of your walks? Is it enough to increase your heart rate to calorie burn range?
As why your fat doesn't go away, doing cardio alone will not make it shed. Proper diet is required. You may eat too little to have your body think the stored fat in you is not worth storing anymore.

bledx - you look skinny in your pic :) if you are anywhere around 5-5'2" then you are considered skinny. I'd say keep the weight (not loose it) but get in shape. That will get ppl off your back for telling you skinny and start telling you sexy.

running is a great way to lose fat actually.  you gotta burn those calories.  your body will start burning the fat after around the 20 minute mark of your run.     i would start adding it in 3 times a week and see what happens.    keep up with the walking, it is a great lifelong way to remain active.

Wouldn't you all rather look healthy?  Go for that strong, healthy look.

thebledx, where are you going in Israel?  I spent 11 months there, many moons ago, near Bar Ilan University.

well the whole reason why i walk now instead of run is because when i was running i was just getting thicker and i didn't like it..i did this for 3 months until i hear about walking to burn fat.

Like I posted earlier, any exercise that is really an exercise WILL build muscle. Otherwise, you can just walk around in the mall. Even then I think you will get strong and firm calves ^^ From what? From the muscles that got toned up, that's what.

U need to check further into this 'walking to burn fat' thing. Don't just take the title and go 'walk' away with it. That routines burn fat in conjunction to creating muscles. When you do an activity repeatedly for a long period of time each time, that activity will stimulate the related muscle group, and strengthened them. It's just natural body reaction. Do you know that hair dressers actually have strong-firm-and toned arms from doing the blow drying day in day out?
Anyway, with the walking you won't get a pumped-up muscles, so they don't advertise it in that light.
I run, and with running I actually get slimmer legs and toned abs. And that is including the muscle tone underneath fat.
Think, muscle is denser than fat and unyielding. So, when you say 'thicker' it may just actually be 'firmer'.

It might be helpful for you to read this article about Body Dismorphic Disorder.  It's from the Mayo Clinic, so we know it's good information.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/body-dysmorp hic-disorder/DS00559