Lost over 40 lbs, have a good BMI, but I still feel fat.

I've been a member since Feb and have had great success in watching the numbers go down.  I think I have between 5 and 15 pounds to lose then I'm done and I'll work more on building muscle ( free weights) and maintaining.

The problem is I can go shopping and buy size 4 pants and think this is great I'm finally that little person who's been hiding out for a long time, then I see a picture of myself and I think I still have a long way to go.  What if I get rid of the the last 10 ish pounds and I still feel this way?  I don't want to buy smaller pants I just want to feel better in the ones I have. 

I'm 37 and a mom of a 2 year old.  5'4" and 133lbs  I have a med small frame and wear a 34 full D cup.  I do not want to be too skinny but I do want to be trim.

Sorry I don't know what I'm even asking, I think I just had to rant a little.

I do know my health has improved and that should be enough.

thanks for reading.

I totally feel you on this. I'm just 8 lbs away from a goal I set for myself a year ago and didn't even consider realistic. I look better than I've looked in my ENTIRE LIFE, I weigh less than I have since I was 13. I should be celebrating and sometimes, I do, but it's like - when will I be BEAUTIFUL?

Well, all I can tell you is that's something that probably isn't about weight loss. It could be a number of things - it may partly be that you don't want to let go of some of your self-loathing because you feel that's what got you to this point. Or maybe you really just have low self-esteem in general. Or maybe you have unrealistic expectations. Or maybe you're just not used to celebrating yourself and ESPECIALLY not your body, so you zone in on the flaws. There will ALWAYS be flaws.

I've been through a few of these cycles already, and in my opinion, as weight loss slows down and gets harder, you go through some psychological development in addition to the physical one. You learn to stop freaking out about how slow it is and you learn to live with yourself - not in a complacent way, but in a healthy way. I think, by the time you lose the last 10 lbs, you will probably have found your way to a positive mental space that will match your new body :)

I don't know what to tell you to do about it, because I'm in the same boat. The one thing that helps me is verbalizing to myself - either "saying" it in my head or writing it down - that I've come a long way; longer than I have to go. That I've learned so much about myself and that I've improved my life and my looks so much. That I look so much better now than I did, and that I did it all by myself, using just my own body and my own intelligence. It doesn't ALWAYS work, but it helps.

Also, NEVER EVER say, to yourself or to anyone "I'm fat." Not even if your friend says "I'm so fat!" and you want to say "Me too!" Because you're not, you're simply NOT, and words have magic powers sometimes - they make you believe in their truth.

Just keep going, congratulate yourself on your progress and mentally focus on the positives.

Hang in there!! I hear ya!! I have lost a little more than 20 pounds. Even though my clothes feel looser less tight I still feel fat and like I have not loss any weight. Just stay positive :)

I am with you on this too!  I feel the same way sometimes... I have between 2 and 7 pounds left to lose (lost 40 so far) and sometimes feel that I'll never look good.  I wonder at what point I will be happy with myself and how I look.  I do feel a lot better, but it seems I always find something to criticize about myself.  I wish I could stop it and just be happy!

Thank you Paintedlady you are right it's not about weight loss it's the "not celebrating me". I am looking forward to finding my positive mental space.  I am also dealing with family health issues that are so much more important.  Although the family member in question is one of my strongest suporters.

djs0s0323 we'll get there!

k9stylist I'm glad to know it's not just me.  I am happy, and I am proud of my accomplishments, just not all the time.

This is a great space, thank you for the support I needed it.  I'm now ready for a new day.

I've only recently signed up to this site, it seems a useful tool to keep a track on things.

I lost 105 lbs (48kg or 7.5 stone) since February this year and took me 19 weeks to get to my target. I went to a clinic which started me on a soy protein based diet but gradually introduced 'normal' food as I hit certain targets. The clinic also sent me for regular blood tests and reviews to make sure I was ok. I'm on the hard part now of maintaining, but the doctor at the clinic has educated me on nutrition etc.

I have to admit sometimes I still feel fat especially as I've got some saggy skin around what was my beer gut. But then I look at a picture I took before I started the diet and when I was 270 lbs and realise 'hey I'm not fat anymore'.

I started doing some weight training and ab work recently, and although my weight has stabilised, I have noticed my new trousers are getting a little bit on the baggy side. Also, I have found working out really makes you feel good!!

Give it ago!