Body image

When does your mind catch up with your body?  I've lost 102 lbs.  I've gone from a size 24 to a 10.  I went to Wal-Mart yesterday to buy some shorts as I only had two pair that would even stay on my hips.  The last time I bought clothes a little over a month ago, I was a 12.  I have only lost a few pounds, but even so, I could feel that my body had changed.  I grabbed the 12's and didn't have time to try them on.  When I got home, I put them on and they were too big.  I went back and got 10's and they fit perfectly.  I even picked up a medium 8/10 shirt dress that fits perfectly.  The problem is that when I look in the mirror, I honestly don't see a size 10 body.  What I see is something closer to a 14.  When I take a shower/ I see a 16/18 if I look. 

It's weird, because when I was a 24, I saw myself as a 16/18.  I knew I was overweight, but it didn't seem too bad.

So those of you that have been out of surgery for over a year, does your mind ever catch up with your body?  If so, when?

Sorry to tell you..........Mine still hasn't caught up!  I still look at xl tops and size 16 pants though I fit into 8's and 6's and M-L tops.  It's really weird how long it takes our minds to catch up.  I'm sure others will have other experiences to share, but, so far...........I'm STILL playing catch up!  (Maybe it's because I was SOO overweight for SOOO long?  I dunno!!)  Let me know if you figure out how to get the mind to catch up!

I  still  go to the bigger sizes first.   i still buy xl shirts and they are really to  big.  but i have such a hard time buying  a large.  maybe i  will some day.  I still wear a 12  and my exercise  has not changed the numbers yet.  but i am healthyier.

You are doing great and it will take a while for you to see yourself   like you are.
!!!  I am so proud of you !!!

I think it's that way for most of us. I read somewhere that it takes five years for our minds to catch up with our body images. That first glance in the mirror is what you look like, if you keep looking you will see the "old" you.

I was going ot say the same thing as Kelly.  "They" say that it takes about 5 years for your mind to see what the rest of the world does.  We all struggle with it, unfortunately, but it does get better.  I have to do a lot of self-talk of reminding myself and I did lose over 90 lbs. and I'm truly not as big as I once was.  But then I see my stomach :(  I hope the struggle does end someday.

Oh boy, it takes a loooong time!  I'd been feeling the same way.  Despite a 70+ lb loss, I couldn't really "see" the changes.  I found that taking a lot of pictures and comparing them to my pre-op ones - looking at them over and over again - helped me to at least start to see the differences.  It won't shape up your mind's body image entirely, but it does help.

I, too, still go for clothes that are larger than I really need!  It just doesn't seem possible that I might actually be able to fit into some size 14/16s, etc.  But it's always a thrill when I do!  :D

I haven't been on the board in forever, but saw the topic and wanted to respond.  I am almost 2 1/2 years out and my mind definitely has not caught up!  I am wearing 6/8 bottoms and mostly medium tops...but I still feel like and see a 14.  I alw3ays pick up shirts and think "this must run really small because this xl looks like it will fit."  It is actually a pain because I go into the dressing room with a m, l, and xl of the same exact shirt etc.

I also have been shopping for an entire day and ended up with nothing because all I can see is my stomach.  I will put say a dress on and feel like it is snug in that area and doesn't look good, my husband thinks I am crazy because he sees nothing there.  I wish my mind would catch up, shopping would be much easier!!!!