Friday Question. Weigh-in on this one.......
I don't think body image problems is unique to people who've lost a ton of weight. It's why we have anorexia and bulimia in the general population.
But, recognizing myself and my new body shape took a very long time. Iwent so far as to beg my husband and daughter to point out women (front,side, back) who's body shape most resembled mine. I bought a huge full length mirror. Most of the time imy mind is in check about my "size", but I've been at goal for 21 months. Sometimes I debate for a long time whether to machine wash my jeans, fearing they'll never fit again (and actually shocked that something that looks so small to me woudl fit anyway). Still, the other day I was in a meeting and for some strange reason I glanced around at all the women and noticed that I was "still" the largest one in the room. They were all 20 something and between size 4 and 6. At size 10 I felt gigantic. I was relieved when someone larger than me came into the room and sat next to me.
Since having abdominoplasty, I even pretty much like how my naked body looks (sorry if this is TMI). The arms could use a lift and the outer thighs need help, but everything else is "OK" if not perfect. So, I think I've come a long ways.
Ann
I have always been heavy. I can't every remember being the same size as friends.....my dad with love in his heart always referred to me as "fat and sassy" (Like when relatives from out of state would ask how I was doing) I don't know why I always remember him saying that, it never hurt my feelings......But I have always been fat and SASSY Anyways~I am still "overweight" per BMI charts, and I will never be normal per the charts either.....I am only 5'2 and 160ish. People tell me I need to stop losing weight, wasting away......I wanna punch them for lying sometimes.....My hubby is actually starting to get annoyed with me.....we will meet someone knew...like a co-workers spouse.....or see someone whom we haven't seen inawhile.......and the first thing I do is pull him aside and ask "Am I as big/small as her" And it usually is always no, your smaller.....then I tell him he's lying.....I just cannot see it! Maybe it is a hidden way to protect myself in case I regain, almost like expecting failure.....I don't know......I'm but working on it....and this is one thing I plan on NOT failing at...Great question.....Take Care and have a good day jesi
Body image... wow, good question. I still don't see myself as a "normal" size. I'm wearing a 12 (will be smaller when the skin is gone someday :D ) I tell myself that I'm smaller than most people I know, that no one sees me as the "Fat Woman in the Office", that I look fairly ok now (except on bad hair days, blech) but that just doesn't seem to be getting through. I can talk to myself until I'm blue in the face and still my brain says I'm a large woman. (I've discovered I have two brains... Fat brain that is in the forefront and tells me I'm still 300 pounds and... Logical brain that knows I'm not)
I have the jeans that I wore when I walked into the hospital the morning of my surgery as a reminder. I take them out occasionally and put them on and cry cause I can fit in one leg now. But it doesn't help.
I see myself in the mirror and can't figure out who that woman is sometimes. I don't recognize myself anymore.
I hope this gets better with time, otherwise I'm definitely going insane.
Hugs...
Fanny
I fluctuate daily w/ body image, some days I feel smaller than others. I went to try on a gown last night for a wedding I am in and I felt real sexy in it (& the bride thought so too). Today I awoke dreading to see the photos once the wedding comes. I know I will still see myself in them 178lbs ago. I keep saying if I can only get PS on my legs & tummy I will feel better about myself.
Only time will tell.
My two cents...
MaryLyn