Body Image After Weight Loss

[deecee 2]

Over the last few years I have lost a substantial amount of weight, but in my head I'm still a fat girl. I've actually startled myself by seeing my reflection in a store window or mirror, because I basically don't recognize myself.

This isn't really an eating disorder per se, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this disparity between appearance and mental image?

[racechick79 2]

I have not, but I actually just experienced this with someone else today. We were shopping and she was trying on some clothes. She had recently lost some weight as well and when she put on one of the outfits she looked HOT!!! But as soon as she looked in the mirror she said "yuck", look how fat it makes me. I felt bad that she felt that way about herself and in the end, I made her get the outfit!! But I do hope that she is able to learn to see herself as she really is. Sorry I don't have something to add that would be helpful, but you are definitely not alone!

[shaun 6]

This is common, if you are overweight for many years, it becomes a mindset, it is fat on the mind. Some people are scared to leave the fat person, being the fat person feels safe, it is what they are used to. If you were overweight for most of your life, this is normal, you're not used to being slim. You will adapt to the new you in the future.

[Wolfsbane 0]

I've been struggling with that too! I assume it's normal to go through this, but it's still difficult to deal with.

I've hated my body ever since I was five years old. In the past two years I've lost all the weight I needed to lose. I just don't know what it's like to be happy with my body. I look in the mirror a lot so I get used to the new shape, but I feel like it's still not me. There's a definite disconnect there. I just don't recognize that skinny girl in the mirror.

I can see that I'm super skinny, but it almost seems unreal.