I Have A Problem Looking At The Mirror.

[hydroflame]

I was ask about this @ another thread that I have submitted. I was asked wether I liked what I saw @ the mirror. Well to answer that question, I say not really. I know I see a slight difference, but mind is totally telling me that I look the same. Maybe it is just me, and maybe it isnt. I would like to know if anyone else experiencing or experienced this? More than not, I think that I became a lot more critical of myself as the weight came off. I am now @ a steady 275, But I feel that I could do a heck of a lot better. My new weight goal is 220. But I think that it too much as well. Anyone here can possibly recommend a shrink........I dont think Im kidding : (

[APanthesilia]

Hello, There was a thread about this same kind of thing a few months ago. I'll try to find it for you and post it here!

I think what everyone pretty much thought during that thread is that when you start losing you start looking in the mirror more and you start becoming more aware of what your body actually looks like rather than just trying not to think about it (which is what I do!). So you start to become hypercritical because you are looking at/for all your flaws. Then it is easy to look at yourself in the mirror and really still not like what you see- but what you're not seeing is how you used to look. It's easy to be critical of the now without the context of where you came from and where you are heading. It's incredible to me that you- who have lost an INCREDIBLE amount of weight- don't see a difference in yourself. There is a huge difference!!!! Maybe it is that you didn't really look at yourself before so you don't have a great idea of what to compare yourself to (but don't you see it in the pictures??). Or maybe it is just that you are having a harder time being happy with yourself right now. I think that is a possibility- if you are not feeling good inside it doesn't matter how good you look on the outside, you just can't see it! But let me say, for the record, that you look incredible! You should jump up and down at how amazing you are that you have taken control of your life and made such a huge change and you are still working at it so it will only get better from here!

[charks1]

Morning Mark....
Your doing Awesome job...wow theres a huge difference in your pics..
keep it up, before you know it you really won't recongnize yourself!!!

[colleenieweenie]

I can totally relate to how you're feeling...

I have lost around 30lbs. I am below goal and weigh around 107 lbs. I still look in the mirror and see fat. When I try on clothes, I am so happy that I am in a size 0/2, but don't understand how, since I think my thighs are like tree trunks.
Some days are better than others...
I actually did go speak to a counselor about the way I was feeling and it was really nice to talk to someone not in my circle. If you feel like you need to talk to someone - do it. Therapy is good for everyone!

Best of luck to you!

[Thinker]

Personally - I never really notice the difference - even in induction were weight is flying off. The only thing I experience aside from the scale is: 1. My thighs; 2. My clothes; 3. and most importantly - my face. Every so often if I stare into the mirror - I'd see a skinnier me staring back. Take a good long look in the mirror.

There are people who need help for these kinds of things and you shouldn't be shy about seeking it if you think you need it.

[-FOXY-]

I heard something once.... Dr Phil or somewhere, I can't remember, but they said to a guest on the show who gained a ton of weight, "what is this layer of fat protecting you from?" And there were others on the show talking about the comfort they feel when they are heavy, although they hate the fat at the same time...thought it was interesting...

[valleriek]

I think you look waaaaay different! You ahve done amazing, dont give up!!

[Keetje]

Hello Hydro,

You have done so well so far and it is a pity you are not able to appreciate just how far you have come already.

You are still quite young, so, if you think about it, throughout a large chunk of your life you have always thought of yourself as the fat guy. You have got used to seeing the fat guy in the mirror and you have put up with all the crap that fatter people have to put up with. Inside your head you are probably still that fat guy, even though you are in much better shape now. So, when you look in the mirror, you still see the fat guy staring back. I think the mind takes even longer to lose the weight than the body does.

I was looking at your pictures yesterday and reading one of your posts and I thought that you were a fine looking guy who has good, strong, expressive features.

Try to relax a little and let your mind's eye catch up with what the rest of us are seeing - before long you will be looking in the mirror and appreciating your own major achievement.

Good luck!


Keetje

[rain-]

I've had the same problem, my total weight loss is about 90 pounds (some of which I lost before I started Atkins) and most of it has happened during the last year. Losing weight has been relatively easy for me, but keeping up mentally with the change hasn't been. But couple of days ago I looked in the mirror and finally saw myself the way I am now and it felt so good.

I've been pestering my friends (we see only once a month or two) to tell me how I look (who weighs the same, who less, who more) compared to other people we know, and that way trying to see myself the way they see me. It did help a bit.

I hope you will get to see soon how good you look now! I'm sure you can do it, be it by yourself or with someone's help!