New pics - NOT circus fat (y'all convinced me)

Got some pics taken yesterday and just posted them on my profile. I don't see much difference. Big difference in my clothes, though. I guess it has been so long since I had my photo taken I didn't know just how big I was before.

I still think I could work the circus - wadda ya think, Kix? I love that term of yours, BTW.

I'm gonna go burns some cals at the pool.

 Welcome to the "I can't tell I lost weight" club.  It was not until recently that I could look down and see a difference.  Even with taking pictures of the progress monthly, it was often not until I would look at the months before pic that I could see a difference.  However, when I would walk away from those photos it was still difficult to make myself believe I had weight loss progress.  Heck, sometimes it is STILL hard to comprehend.  I compare myself all the time to others thinking I can't wait to get to that size.  The other day I made that comment to a close friend regarding an individual who was shopping innocently having no clue she was my target of comparison.  What did my friend reply - you are already smaller than her.  What? As if?  No way?  But after a good look at her, then me - my friend was right, I was smaller.  

Happily though, I can not look down and tell.  I see myself in a mirror and am shocked at how small my face has gotten.  It took over a 100 lbs lost to start seeing what others had been seeing for quite some time.  That's not to say that I don't have days where I still feel circus fat (stealing Kix's term because I like it too), but at least most days I can appreciate my accomplishments.

You are working hard at staying on track and that hard work is being rewarded.  I see it in your face, but mostly I see it in your eyes.  They are bright with excitement!  Keep it up!!!!  

~Clinell

Thanks, Clinell. It's good to know that I'm not the only one that struggles with how I picture myself. When I first started gaining weight, my self-view lagged behind reality as well, but I thought I was smaller than I was. Now I suppose it's not unexpected that it is reversed.

Patty
you look wonderful and you look happy.
I feel like i got an intertube around my waist ..lol
keep up the good work

My inner tube isn't around my waist anymore - sadly it is hanging much lower than my waist these days!

I saw your new avatar and went and checked out your new pics. You are looking sooo much younger and happier too. Keep up the good work your own self.

I have to tell ya, the timing of your post is kinda freaky.  I'm down over 140lbs since last October (had surgery in Feb).  I had taken pictures month after month the first 6 months. I just couldn't "see it" - significant weight loss, that is.  I finally had resigned myself to being clueless about what body size I really had.  I knew my face was thinner and my boobs got smaller, but no "wow" moments when looking at pictures or myself in the mirror.

Well, last night I was cleaning up photos on the computer and I came across a new one.  I just uploaded it this morning after reading this post.  I FINALLY see where I came from and my brain really knows that I'm really not close to that size anymore.   I still have a lot to lose, but am so happy I had my "wow" moment. 

I guess I just wanted to let you know that it will happen, but for some of us it just takes a good amount of time.

Congrats on your success!

-Dawn

It's reassuring to me that I'm not alone in my skewed body image. And what a great idea to look around for an old pic as a comparison. I really like how your "new" old photo is right next to a more current one. It's much easier to see the differences that way.

You look wonderful! I so admire you for doing so well without the tool surg gives you!
Your awesome!

I have to credit OH and this forum for much of my success. I do have a tool, just a different one. But because I don't have a smaller stomach, it is also easier for me to mess up. Posting my food daily helps immensly, even if I don't always eat according to plan, at least I now have a plan - I never did before.

I tried the MF boards, but this BMI > 50 board feels so much more comfortable for me. Probably because our journeys are longer and we have more challenges that the lightweights.

Thanks to everyone for being here and bringing the love and openness that creates such a nurturing environment.

Patty, your new picture is smokin' hawt!  Woo!  I can see the difference.

Also, sorry to tell you that you do not meet the criteria for "circus fat."

Kix