anyone else struggling....

with "identity" issues? I can still look in the mirror and see the fat girl I used to be over a year ago. I've been feeling like this off and on for a while....anyone else in the same boat as me? Sondra

OMGoodness Sondra....are you reading my emails?! I just emailed my support group leader about this yesterday! My mind's eye still says I'm that pre-op girl...even though I KNOW I'm smaller. I even still do somethings as if I'm that large girl (you know the planning ahead stuff, like where to sit, what route to take so that I won't have to squeeze through anything, etc....) My leader said that she's going to look into having someone come into our group to speak, but didn't really offer any other suggestions. Others I've heard are to look daily in the mirror and mentally say to yourself that you're smaller now. (Of course, I get fixated on the saggy skin when I do this!) SO...not much help here other than to say....yeah, I'm there with ya. Christina S

I am going through the same thing. I still see myself as fat. I also am filled with fear that I will go back to really being that fat girl again. I tell myself it is just a lie and keep moving. I don't have any magic tricks to get over this, just don't allow your mind to dwell there or else you will begin to sabotage yourself and it will become a self fullfilling prophecy. Whenever you think " I'm fat" immediately speak out loud that the amount of weight you have lost. Eventually, hopefully....your mind will catch up.

Yep. I'm going through the same thing. People keep telling me I'm small, but I don't feel small. I'm struggling with not knowing what I look like. Someone gave me some advice that helped, though I've only done it once. Ask somsone you trust to point out someone else that is your size and shape. It helped me to see it on someone else.

I know what you mean, when I look at old pictures, then I can recognize it. Otherwise I see myself about 60 pounds ago. Maybe when I lose this last 20, I'll see at least 100 pounds gone. Its all in time, I guess. I think its normal for everyone to go through it. When people comment, I make it my policy to just say Thank You no matter what. They won't understand why we don't see us as they do. Let us know how you are doing, that's what we are here for! Amber

WOW it seems like there are alot of us going thru the same thing.... I ran into a former co-worker and she said the almost didnt recognize me that i was so small... i was like "who me??? small??? come on!!" Its true, i see myself 75 lbs ago... I dont see the weightloss, what do we do to see ourselves now instead of last year???? HELP Mel