How long does it take your mind to catch up?

I keep wondering whose laundry I am doing because those tiny clothes sure aren't mine.

I got some new shorts the other day for vacation next week and while packing last night I had to try them on before I packed them because they looked way too small. Nope. They fit perfectly.  My mind is just not used to my new body yet. I've gone from a size 22 to size 8 and am still losing weight.

My one year anniversary was Tuesday and my brain hasn't caught up yet. We shall see!

What I notice and this is BAD!!!

I will look at my size jeans (anywhere from sizes 4-6)

and think they look HUGE!! 

WTF!!! 

2 years ago, size 22 me

would have been ecstatic with a normal size 16...

I think that being obese for soo long and all the negative thoughts 

for all those years and basing myself  infront of friends and family to protect 

my own feelings really wrought havoc on my psyche.... 

I'm saying this out of concern... you might want to give a little thought to possible therapy. You're at a very healthy size right now, and still feeling like that's inadequate might be worth exploring with a professional. Best wishes.

I'm still waiting for the catch up.  I look at clothes and think they'll never get on me - and am surprised when they do. I am still pleasantly surprised at work when I catch my reflection in a glass door tho!

My head still hasn't caught up.

I've been below goal for four years and I still catch my reflection in a store window and do a double-take.  I don't recognize myself.

Your brain cannot separate your head from your old body.  It just fills in the old body when it sees your face.  So to learn how to see your new body you need to take a picture and cover up your head.  Then you will be able to see the actual body. 

A fun way to do it is to cut eyeholes in a brown paper grocery sack and put it over your head, then look in the mirror.  Now you can really look at your body as it is now.

My NP told me that it takes about 18 months for the brain to catch up.  I think its probably true, as I'm not about 22 months post op and I'm starting to feel like my mind is finally catching up. 

best wishes,

Carol 

It took me about 4 years. I now view my current size as my new normal.