How do you visualize your weight loss

I've always had trouble SEEING how much I've lost.  Yes, my clothes might feel better, but I've had trouble grasping just how much 5, 10, 20 pounds really is.  Aside from flat out carrying something around that weighs 20 pounds to comprehend it...what do you do to help you grasp the big picture?

One thing I've done is to create a paper chain.  One link for every pound lost.  As it gets longer and longer you can't deny you've made progress.

I remember watching "Biggest Loser" and they showed the contestants what 5 pounds of fat looked like.  I was shocked at how big of a blob it was.  I would say it was at least the size of a large loaf of sandwich bread.  So, I just keep visualizing that in my mind and how much fat is gone for for every 5 pounds lost.   

You think in your mind that 5 pounds isn't that much because it doesn't all come off from one area, so you don't see much difference in measurements or even drop a size with just 5 pounds.  But, wow, if you had seen that blob of fat they showed.   5 pounds is a big accomplishment. 

I know we've all heard "muscle weighs more than fat."  So, think of how big a 5 pound pot roast is.  Then, remember that much weight in fat takes up more space.  I don't know about you, but my 3 quart crockpot won't even hold a 5 pound roast.   

As to record keeping, I just use the chart here.  As long as I see a downward slope, I'm good with it.  If it starts leveling off or going up........gotta do something.

I saw a nutritionist that had a demonstration blob of rubber like substance that showed what 5 pounds of fat looked like.  It was a big blob too.  I personally like watching my graph on this site go down as I lose.  It's also nice to look at myself in the mirror and see areas where I remember there being a lot more fat.

i imagine a pound of butter.  last night i was grabbing fists full of flab on my belly and thighs trying to estimate how many pounds of fat i still have to lose.

Mirror doesn't usually work for me.  I've lost a good 40 pounds before and couldn't SEE it when I looked in the mirror.

I have to measure AND weigh.  If I just went by the scale it would be too hard.  Yes my clothes are getting too big, and I have bought a few new things in the smaller size, but as shrinkabootie said, I don't see it in the mirror.  But when I look at my tracking sheet that has all my measurements and see the inches that I've lost, that is MY visual.   (I do the paperclip thing too, alternating colors each 5 pounds)

To help grasp the big picture?  I take a picture! 

The mirror never works for me because I often look into one after having just showered...I have no clothes on to compare my before and after status. 

So I used a digital camera and took a picture of myself and printed it out.  I've taped it onto my dresser and look at it each morning before I leave my room and tell myself that I WILL be a stronger, healthier, and hopefully even skinnier person soon! :)

In a few weeks, I will take another similar picture and compare the two...See what the before and after (losing 20 lbs) looks like on camera because one thing is for sure...that camera tells the truth!

Slongo I do the same thing!!! ive been taking them every two weeks since i started and I can see a marked improvement, I take it in just my underwear too! motivates me to carry on and I take my measurements every two weeks too to see how many inches are comming off!!

Its a great way to see yourself as I dont see it in the mirror either.

I had trouble seeing it until my husband and I were in Sports Authority and he said I want you to pick up this barbell with weight on it, well it was 50 pounds and I said I couldn't pick it up and he explained that, that was the weight I had just lost and I was amazed... See it can be done :)

My clothes fit worse, not better!  I could do a great MC Hammer impression with these pants now...

Regarding visualizing the weight, I like the "sticks of butter" analogy that's going on in that other thread (1 pound = 4 sticks of butter). 

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/2832 8.html