Body Image Issues

Over the past couple of weeks I've gained 9 pounds and my body seems to be changing into this blob of jiggly skin. (Sorry for the grose mental image) I'm trying to eat better and workout more but I am really having a hard time feeling good about myself no matter what outfit I wear. Don't get me wrong, my body has never been 'tight' or even toned for that matter but it seems unusually mushy now and I just can't seem to get past that. My lower stomach seems to stick out more than it used to accentuating the excess skin, my arms seem to hang lower, my face isn't as slim., etc... I know compared to what I used to be, I am still 'skinny' and much healthier but I am having a very hard time mentally and emotionally getting my head around the journey and weight fluctuations. Does anyone have suggestions on how I can work on my self-image and self-esteem? I could really use the advice. Thanks! Jessica 301\169\135

Hey Jessica, I wish I had some wonderful suggestions for helping witht he self-image, but mine is not so good either. I think it's pretty common for "us." I too have been feeling jiggly. However, this past week I went off everything I knew I shouldn't be eating. I'm eating only meat, veggies, nuts, fruit, and cheese. I'm feeling TONS better and have shed 5 pounds just this week. I'm now 3 above my all time low of 146. I'm having my breast lift in 10 days and I'm determined to be below 145 when I go in for that. Good Luck!!! Christie Brown 245/149/138(thinking now this might be too small)

Hey, All you need is love...and some toning. Swimming, walking, riding a bike or may be even a little yoga. Got to get out and about. And added secret that my Mom told me years ago...start eating beets. I know they are awful but they naturally tigthen the skin. Firming lotions also work to a certain degree. And remember, smile God loves you and so do we. Take care Frederica

OMG! You are so beautiful!! Your body is probably just adjusting, as they are wont to do, to the weight that you have been carrying and getting used to it. You are so small, you could probably get blown away with a feather. Seriously, try to keep an accurate record of what you are eating and go back to 6 small meals of high,dense protein and more-different exercise routine. I have been trying heated yoga and I gotta tell ya, it really works to tighten the core and get rid of my jiggly belly that has came around since last summer. I'm with ya on the jiggly parts and depression hitting, but I try to deal with it in positive ways and drink more water and watch what I eat and remember that I used to be twice the size that I am now! Hope that helps--and you could be a model! Quit worrying and be proactive about your execise routine. Try changing it up a bit. Sometimes a switch from am to pm workouts help to confuse the bod into keeping the weight off too.

Thank you so much for the nice compliments and advice. Everyone has great ideas that I will definitly work on. I am also seeing a psychologist to work on my body image issues but that is a very slow moving process unfortunately. I've always had to really work at getting my water in so that is something I will have to work on extra hard. Especially now that I know I can drink soda again. I try to stick to Caffeine Free Diet Coke but sometimes I do the full sugar Cherry Coke or Mt. Dew. (Bad Jessica!) I'm going through that time of the month right now so I'm just trying to get through life but once it's over - I'll be all over this health thing again. Thanks guys! I don't know what I'd do without your support! Happy St. Patty's Day! Jessica