Body Image Issues

Does anyone who's not heavy still feel like they are? I don't know if I'm explaining it the right way...I used to be really heavy and I'm not anymore. But I still see myself as heavy. It's weird. I watch Biggest Loser and look at people who are well over 60,70, 80 lbs more than me and I really think that's what I look like. I KNOW I'm not that heavy anymore, but that's what I see.
I don't know if it's that I still "think" like a heavier person, but I don't even know what that means
I bought the lowest size pants I've ever worn in my life today - a six. I never even wore that as a teenager! But it still someone doesn't sink in...

Am I making any sense?
Anyone else have these thoughts?

Sorry for the ramblings...

Re: Body Image Issues

I think I posted something similar a few months ago

I deal with this every day

I know EXACTLY what you mean



ETA- CONGRATS on the size 6!!!!!

Message edited 1/21/2009 7:46:56 PM.

Re: Body Image Issues

Posted by LisaW

I think I posted something similar a few months ago

I deal with this every day

I know EXACTLY what you mean



ETA- CONGRATS on the size 6!!!!!

Re: Body Image Issues

I still deal with it, not as much though...and I've been this size more often in my life than not


I remember shopping with my DH a while ago (I think that might have been what sparked my post) and I found this really cute dress, size 6. It looked tiny. I never thought it would fit me in a million years. Dh told me I was crazy and to try it on. Fit me PERFECTLY! I was shocked!


I've always had body issues though...even when I was a size 1

Re: Body Image Issues

I think that it is really hard to work through severe body image issues on your own. If you are willing to talk to a professional all it can do is help you get to happier place a little quicker......why not give it a try.

Re: Body Image Issues

I deal with this in a big way. I was never really heavy...but definitely a good 10-12lbs over what I am now.

I don't know what it is, but I think I am fat. I am not just saying that, I see how my friends and SO react when I talk about how much I hate my body but I can't seem to see what they see. I hate getting dressed in the morning and on those days when my pants feel slightly snug...I am miserable.

It is so hard, for me, I think it's in my head that I should be skinny, no curves. I see people with those bodies and I am so jealous. The reality is that is not who I am and I will never look like that.

I have not been able to overcome this so I have no advice...accept that you are not alone.

Congrats on the size 6...I bet that was the best feeling!!

Re: Body Image Issues

Posted by robynfs

I deal with this in a big way. I was never really heavy...but definitely a good 10-12lbs over what I am now.

I don't know what it is, but I think I am fat. I am not just saying that, I see how my friends and SO react when I talk about how much I hate my body but I can't seem to see what they see. I hate getting dressed in the morning and on those days when my pants feel slightly snug...I am miserable.

It is so hard, for me, I think it's in my head that I should be skinny, no curves. I see people with those bodies and I am so jealous. The reality is that is not who I am and I will never look like that.

I have not been able to overcome this so I have no advice...accept that you are not alone.

Congrats on the size 6...I bet that was the best feeling!!

Re: Body Image Issues

Yes, yes and yes. Oh and yes.

Miki I totally empathize with this. TOTALLY. I am actually really glad you posted this!

I don't have body image issues in the sense that I hate my body. I don't think I really ever did hate it. Yeah I wished I was thinner but I was never into the self-loathing bit.

I feel SO much bigger than I really am. It's sad really I have a hard time wrapping my head around the number on the scale or the the size of my clothes. I am realistic about what I will grab off the rack but it still hasn't sunk in that I DID this. I have to admit I still glance at the clothing displayed in the Lane Bryant store...part of my mind still believes I belong in there and that is where I should be buying my clothing.

I see myself in the mirror, or in window reflections and I don't believe it is me. People grab my arms or my mid section because they can't believe how small I have gotten but I still dwell in the fact that my thighs could be a bit smaller or that I could stand to lose another 10-15 lbs. Complete strangers tell me I don't need to be buying pilates DVDs or to have a couple of cookies because I can "afford" it and I am like WHAT??? Who do they think they're talking to?!?!?!

I don't have any answers for you but just that I know what you are going through. I think it is just going to take a long time for this to go away because the fact of the matter is at least for me, I have been overweight/obese basically my ENTIRE life. That is not something I can easily let go of overnight even though it took me nearly 2 years to lose the weight. I think eventually your mind will just have to catch up with your body.

So KUDOS to you for being a size 6!!!!!!!! I saw your recent pics on facebook and you are looking AMAZING!!!!

You may be smaller and you may be having a hard time accepting it but you have always been beautiful and that my dear will never change

Re: Body Image Issues

Thank you, Azad I'm sure the 6's won't fit next week

But thank you for understanding - from one former heavyweight to another - it's not the body image issues that others are talking about - but exactly what you're talking about - still seeing myself ans so much bigger. I walk into stores sometimes sort of waiting to get laughed at or told in a snotty tone that they don't have my size...

Re: Body Image Issues

Posted by mrswask

Thank you, Azad I'm sure the 6's won't fit next week

But thank you for understanding - from one former heavyweight to another - it's not the body image issues that others are talking about - but exactly what you're talking about - still seeing myself ans so much bigger. I walk into stores sometimes sort of waiting to get laughed at or told in a snotty tone that they don't have my size...

Message edited 1/23/2009 4:59:00 PM.

Re: Body Image Issues

I could have written this word for word. I was a size12-14 as a teenager and into college. I went down to a size 2 at one time (I was too thin) but never realized it - I walked around in a daze half the time not believing it was me!

It was after I had my baby and my body blew up again and how bad it felt post partum that I realized how I couldn't be that size ever again.

Now I'm a size 6, and I still feel like I did post partum even when people say otherwise. It's amazing how our minds can "stick" in a place....