Help needed with body image

I am now approximately 170 pounds and 5ft 6inches tall.  The trouble I'm having is with my body image and how I actually look.  I suspect that if I was stood next to someone the same weight and height I would 'see' myself as larger than them, through having a distorted self body image. If you are around the same weight and height would you mind posting so I can have a look at your photos on your profile to see the 'group' I fit into?  I haven't updated my pictures on my profile for a while, but I am at the same weight as when the last pictures were taken.  Please feel free to have a look if you'd like. I know we are all different, and I'm not doing this to compare, but to really know what approximate size group I am.  I have heard a psychologist say that this is a good way to train your brain to see yourself as you really are. Thank you for your support.

Ruth... sit back and take a breath my friend.  You are doing so well.  170 is not a bad weight and if I remember correctly you have big girls which will add some to your weight.  Those last few pounds are the toughest and I have seen your pics.. you look awesome and you know I have been saying that to you forever.  Remember when I was going through the same thing.. and I still am.  This is the tough part.  You are getting close but you just dont see it.  It is so hard to look at yourself.  I used to look at people at the gym and say.. I want to be as small as them and than someone would say.. you are smaller than them.. I couldnt believe it.  One thing I did and my psy doc told me to do was to look at people I thought were the same size as me.  Ask dh if you are bigger or smaller than them.  I have actually ask them what they weighed.. It was very eye opening when I discovered they felt I was tiny and I was smaller than them.   Its tough when you get to the body perception thing.. I know you heard us on the may discussing this.. You are doing great... remember that.. Carla

Hi Carla I agree with what you say ~ that is why I was interested to see pictures of others who are the same size as me, to do just that.  I don't have the courage to walk up to strangers in the street to ask what size they are to know if they are the same size as me.  But I do know that on here we all support each other and understand. hugs

Hi Ruth,  I'm 5'5" and I weigh 168. I wear a size 10 jeans and a medium in a top. It's taken me almost 3 years to finally "see" how others see me. Hang in there, it gets better. Take a lot of pictures standing next to people and objects for reference points. Eventually your brain does catch up!  There are photos on my profile, if you want to take a look. I also want to say that my doc and his assistant have both told me, that since I was overweight for so long.....(try my whole life!!) that my skeleton is going to weigh more than the normal skeleton my size, cause it needed be heavier to hold up all that weight. Makes sense to me! Hope this helps!

Thanks Lyn I had a look at your pictures - cute one of your dog :o) I see myself pretty much as I see you, so it seems I am seeing me as I am.  Thanks - it's been very helpful.  I hope others post too so I can take a look at them too.  It gives a reference point for me and is a big help. Interesting info re the skeleton.  It does make sense thinking about it.

Ruth, I think we all have a distorted body image. I still do and I am at a size 6 but when I look in the mirror I don't see a size 6 I still see the size 22/24 that I was before. The thing that is helping me is to take a lot of pictures of myself and keep looking at them. That's the only time I can seem to see the change.  Everyone says your so skinny now and I can't believe they are talking to ME!! Give it time, I am still having the same issue after 2 years but it is getting better.

Ruth, I agree with the others, you look fantastic.......the mind games can be so tough.....lots of pictures and more time then you'll see the new you.  I'm almost 3 years out and I am finally starting to see myself in a different light........not "skinny" as some say but normal. Keep your chin up you look marvelous.

Thanks Everyone for your kind comments. It is interesting for me that when I was obese I lumped myself into one large group of obese people - it didn't matter really how large I was - it was all the same in my mind. But now I'm smaller I like seeing the new shapely me and like to place myself in a more defined group.  Hope that makes sense!!! As said on a reply, I'm not brave enough to ask people in the street what size  they are so I can look at those the same size as me to realise I look the same as them - i.e. use them like a mirror.  But I KNOW here on OH you all understand and support. Thanks again.

Hiya Ruth... I often feel fat and am always pleasantly shocked when I catch a random accidental glimpse of myself in the mirror as opposed to looking on purpose. A number is just a number. It really means nothing. You can't judge what you look like from someone else's weight at all, unless you have the same body type and are proportioned the same. I'm shorter than you and I carry about the same weight...however, I carry my heavy weight in my thighs and so I look different. You have those nice long lean legs. You are lovely. I am back to my maintenance weight of 165lbs with a 5'4" frame and I wear a size 8 comfortably(tight in the thighs)...My mom is 128 lbs and 5'2 and she wears a size 12. She gives me all the clothes that are small on her yet I have nearly 40 lbs on her!  She has chicken legs and no roundness in her rear!  LOL So basically she carries her weight in the middle and has ZERO muscle...Whereas I have much more muscle and bottom heaviness....If I weighed 128 lbs...I would be a hangbag for my big bones... Don't worry about the number....You look lean...You really do!  Hugs Anita

Thanks Anita :o)