What helps you deal with negative body image?

I can so relate.  After seeing pictures of myself at my brother's wedding I was disappointed.  I had just lost 60 pounds.  My suggestion is to concentrate on how you feel.  How much better you feel is also how much better you come accross to other people.  You walk better, your eyes are clearer, and you look and act healther. Tthat all adds up to a more atractive presentation overall.  Tell yourself often that you have an attractive, trim, healthy body.  It will continue to become a reality and you will believe it and feel good about it as you go along.    If your BMI is or was over 50 please consider joining us over at the Over 50 BMI board.  We can relate.  Loris

I don't know what your stats were to begin with, but for me, TIME has been one of the biggest things.  I didn't look at my before pictures for a while, so when I look at them now, and then look at myself in the mirror, I can see that I am a lot flatter than I was before.  I still have the same shape, as in my belly still hangs and my hips are still wide, just not AS wide or as full. 

I try to focus on the positive things that I see, like the lack of certain rolls, lumps and bumps that used to be prevalent and are no longer visible.  I know that I did a lot of damage to my body by being so heavy for so long, so expecting a perfect body without flaws just isn't reasonable for me anymore.  If I have a TT, I will still have scars, but then I have some nasty scars already from my C-section, and my legs and arms will be wrinkly and flabby still... but oh well.  I am gonna make the best of it and have as much fun with my more capable body.

I hated pictures of myself during my weight loss. I felt awesome about dropping 30 - 40 lbs, but then I'd see my pics and feel so horrible about myself. I looked so fat still. You're not alone with what you're going through. It will get better. You'll start to feel more comfortable and accept where you're at, whether it's goal, above, or below. I know it's hard, but keep trying to remind yourself of the great accomplishment you've achieved so far. And remember that you're not alone.

I know it's tough having to look at the pictures now.....but trust me, you're gonna want photo's of yourself, all the way down to goal. I didn't keep up on that, and now I really wish I would have documented my progress! Doing this also helps with the "body dismorphic disorder" that we all seem to get to some degree. Seeing yourself in pictures, especially near famaliar objects, like your car, or with friends, really helps us get it together. (took me 3 years to finally "see" myself as the normal size woman I am now)
 Hope this helps!

Funny, you posted this exact subject today! I had been thinking about the same point in my own journey.   I am 12 months out and started with a bmi over 50.  I couldn't figure out how I could lose so many pounds and not see it in pictures or for that matter, in changing clothing sizes (3 sizes you rock).  Now that I'm getting close to goal, a few pounds make a big difference in both appearance and inches.   I think it is a matter of the ratio and percentage of fat to body (!) more than anything.  Keep doing what you are doing....it is working.  Be patient (hard to do) because your body is doing the best it can as fast as it can.  Expect every day to be one day closer to that moment you can really see a big difference!  Hugs.

Thanks for all the wonderful words of encourage,ment and for sharing your experiences with this! It really helps to hear that other people struggle with some of the same things I do.

I am going to get nekkid and stand in front of the mirror and then I will try on my pre-op jeans for good measure. If that doesn't do it, then I'm going night-night and we'll see what tomorrow brings.