Getting to the point of "MENTAL" thin-ness?

[Papa Deuce]

OK, I made up that last word! ... I think

But I once lost a lot of weight. I went from 292 down to 217, and one thing I could not change was that I still was mentally OBESE, even though, in real terms I probably was only "fat".... I still wanted to lose 37 - 47 more pounds.

Even though EVERYBODY was complimenting me on my loss, "I" just didn't "feel" it, KWIM? I still as fat, in my head, as if I hadn't lost a single pound. I think that this was one reason that I fell off the wagon.

How do, or did you, handle this? Or am I the only one?

[carbless_in_seattle]

Re: Getting to the point of "MENTAL" thin-ness?

I think that it is difficult for us to realize the difference as they are happening. We see ourselves in the mirror everyday, and therefore, the transformation for US isn't like a before and after photo. We don't notice the day-to-day differences. Also, I feel just as fat now (at 156) as I did at 191-- i know I look and feel better, but only because of measurements/scale/pictures. I think it's because I was fat at 191 and I'm still fat at 151. It wont be until I am not fat anymore, that I will fully grasp the difference.

You need to keep in mind how much healthier the insides of you are, though. Think about your arteries unclogging, your bad cholesterol going down, your blood pressure going down, your chances of getting heart disease, diabetes, stroke going down. Think of all the activities that you can do at a lower weight than when you are too heavy.

I bet if you'd have just got over that hump and lost that last 37-47 pounds, you'd have definitely felt it mentally. You'd be at goal! A lot of times when we're not at goal we get discouraged, whether we're 2 weeks from goal, or 2 years from goal, we're still not there, and that can get us down.

Take pictures! So that you are able to notice the week-to-week differences.

[cherribom1]

Re: Getting to the point of "MENTAL" thin-ness?

I hear ya! Someone on this board once told me it takes awhile to take "the fat goggles" off and I still haven't taken them off completely...

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Getting to the point of "MENTAL" thin-ness?

I think a lot of us hang on to the mental fat body. I know that when I catch a quick glimpse of my reflection in a mirror or a window glass, it takes a second to realize that thin person is me.

Once when I was approaching the doors to a store, I saw a thin woman coming towards me, so I stepped aside to let her past. It was my own reflection in the door glass. I admired the slim me for a minute, but noticed that my mind shifted and I saw a much heavier person than at the start.

On the other hand, lots of us don't see the obese person in the mirror, either. Most of us are shocked when we see pictures of ourselves when we are fat.