how long did it take for your body image to change?

Weird phenomenom, body image. 

I have "unofficially" lost almost 15 pounds (I weigh in on Mondays) and I feel great physically and emotionally!  I am starting to get the comments from people who have noticed that I've "done something".  Sitting here, I FEEL lighter, more toned etc. but then I look in the mirror and I don't SEE it. 

I'm fine with it but I think it is so weird.  When did you all start to SEE the difference?  I never was "fat" so I don't see myself that way but I can't see where 15 pounds came off.   

   

 

I still look in the mirror and see those 25 lbs I lost, too.  It's no fun.  If it starts to really bug me, I look at a recent photograph.  It's weird, I know, but I can see the difference in a photo but not in the mirror.   You could see if that helps.

I lost 75 lbs and didn't fully believe it until I needed to buy a suit and the tailor measured my waist as a 34" down from 42" just 8 months earlier. I thought he was joking. Then I had to buy T-shirts and realized I went from an XL to a Medium.

I would like to know the answer to this one too. After my second baby I decided there would be no more and had to lose the weight. I lost that plus another 22 pounds, (82 in all so far) and I still don't look any different to me. I agree with the pic thing. When I see pics I think I look different and when you can fit into smaller clothes you know something is working but looking in the mirror I still feel like I look like I did right after the baby. SCARY! I think it takes a long time to realize that it's gone.............

You see your body everyday, so you can't see the changes as easily.  It's the same way as aging.  I see 18 year olds and I'm amazed at how young they look.  I never looked that young!  I've looked like this since I came out of my mama!  Same with weight, I still see myself as I always have.  You have to find other ways to measure this awesome success!

I'm gonna suggest photographs throughout the process.  About a month ago, a friend of mine showed me a bunch of pictures from about 3 years (and 50 lbs) ago.  I was like, geez!  I remember saying to myself back then that I couldn't imagine being 150 lbs like the BMI suggests for my height.  But looking at that photograph and seeing myself in the mirror now, about halfway to my goal, I can definitely see it now.

Another suggestion would be to find/buy a pair of pants that is just a size smaller than you are now.  Every week, try them on and see how they feel.  I found a pair of "skinny" jeans that I haven't fit into - ever? - and they're SOOO close to fitting! 

Keep in mind, the fact that you FEEL lighter says so much and 15lbs is an amazing accomplishment!  Congratulations!!  *HUG*

I know what you mean about feeling like I look the same. For me, I think it's because I never really saw myself as large... I always mentally pictured myself as being thinner than I really was (but of course i was shocked when I looked at pictures!). Now that I've lost about 17 pounds, I think that my mental image of myself and my real appearance are more in line!

I think it took me about 13kg (~28 lbs). I have now lost 26 kg (~58 lbs) and I can see some major differences. My face looks different - and that was one of the first things that I as well as others noticed. Two days ago I went clothes shopping for the first time since I began the diet because I really have nothing left to wear. When I tried on the pants and tops, in sizes much smaller than I have worn in a long time, and looked in the mirror, I really thought that I didn't look too bad at all. I still have another 11.5 kg (~25 lbs) left to go until I reach the goal weight and hope by then to be able to see more change. However, in some ways, mentally I still am where I was when I began. It takes a long time to get used to...

Body image is a weird weird thing. It's taken me two plus years and about 140 pounds to calm the fear of weight encroaching back on my body. I still have some of that fear, but I've also developed some trust in myself and what I'm doing. But even now, I'll see my reflection completely differently from one day to another. Depends on my mood. If I've eaten anything in a way that feels compulsive or against my better judgement. If I've exercised. If I had a sucky day at work. If I'm lonely. One day it might be, 'Damn, look at that! I've come a long way.' The next day, 'Jeez, a long way to go...' I've certainly had some concrete experiences along the way where my self image differs from the actuality of my body. Trying on clothes I think are near the right size only to swim in them. Go down a size... that can't possibly.... holy crap!... The same shirt that seems so tiny one day looks huge laid out over a chair the next. I'll turn sideways in tight hallways to let other people by when I don't need to anymore. People at work are commenting a lot, in a positive, supportive way, yet it feels weird to me. And I've had people not recognize me a lot in the last few months, mostly current and former co-workers I don't see very often. It's cool as a marker of change, but I'm also finding it pretty unsettling. 'But wait, it's just me. I'm right here. I was always here.' Being a person in flux can be a little uncomfortable at times it seems.

This is interesting because I identified with a little piece of what each of you said.  I too am in this "when should I buy new jeans" flux.  I realize now that it is a trust issue with myself.  Stated that way, I can conquer that. 

I can see the difference in my arms - much more toned which I think is so sexy in women, btw.  As I mentioned to my husband, I come from a long line of women with flabby underarms!  Mostly, for me, it is looking at the remainder of my baby belly - that needs to go!!

Vanity aside, I have to remember that part of my motivation for doing this was to show my children a healthy, active lifestyle.  So, while I can't necessarily see the change in my body, I do see the change in them.  My youngest said that she is going to go to the health club like Mommy when she grows up and they are open to healthier foods.  That alone makes it worth it!

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.   

Tracy

I've lost 22 of the 60 pounds I need to lose but don't really see much physical change.  I'm still wearing a size 18 and still most of the size 16 things in my closet don't fit.  Maybe I was just really "poured" into the 18s before.  LOL.  I gave away all the 10s and 12s a couple of years ago.  :(

People are commenting about my weight loss so I know it is noticeable.  I think I am coming out of an "emotional slump"  which is a good thing.  I was going out the other night with some friends and my husband commented, "Oh you look nice".  I responded that I was beginning to feel alive again.  I notice my "weight loss" most with my increased energy and desire to use a little make-up again.

I always marveled at women who were overweight but always took the time to dress nicely, add jewelry, style their hair and add a little make-up.  I'm quite convinced that my weight gain was a result of what I was feeling in my heart and the two combined were a viscious spiral.  I'm glad I can say "were".  I'm on the right track now.  :)

I have the same problem. I have now lost 17.5 kg (approx 38 pounds) and have dropped from a UK 16 to a UK 10.  I can see the difference in photos but when I look in the mirror all I can see is the 'fat me' still.  Im worried that I will never see my body for how it is and will want to keep losing weight, even though I only 5 pounds off my goal weight.  Can anyone else relate to this?

This is interesting because I was going to post the same topic. I've lost 28 pounds and have 8 to go but somehow I'm not feeling too great about my appearance. So I've started weight training but I have a feeling this is going to be some never-ending quest for the unattainable.

I never saw it. Still don't.

That's why cameras work amazingly