How do you see yourself?

[glo]

I was just wondering how everyone sees themselves? Do you see yourself as skinnier or heavier than you are? How do you see your flaws? I am a half empty kind of person..so I do not see myself as skinnier.

Do you have a part of your body you like? One you don't like?

 

[dmslush]

You know, I really think I see myself as skinnier than I really am. There will be times when I catch my reflection and I am STUNNED at how big I am. At work, we take our breaks on these stools, and I saw my reflection while sitting on one of them, I just couldn't believe that I was THAT big.

My best part... I guess that would have to be my eyes, my hands, and my hair. I have deep blue eyes, really nice hands (although, since I turned 30, I can see them changing almost daily!) and I have beautiful hair (If I do say so myself)

What don't I like... well, my belly of course. My upper arms are getting kind of saggy (EEEWWW!!), and my inner thighs... well, we won't even talk about what is going on there, but trust me.. it isn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Mskanga]

I'd rather not think about it. I just don't like what I see.

 

[Beanie]

I see myself as weighing less, but I think I am big boned anyway, so I doubt I will ever be what is considered "Skinny"...That is okay with me though, I just need to get some of this weight off and I will be happy!! I begin each day with more self confidence now, which is something I never had before...When I am walking, I find myself thinking differently about what others are saying...I feel much better having lost 20 pounds now!

I have a much better attitude towards food now, it doesn't control me as much anymore!

 

[SandraC]

I see myself as thinner than I am. I am always shocked when I try on new clothes at a store and nothing fits because I picked a smaller size than I am. When I was 210 lbs, I didn't feel that big. It was only when I saw a picture of me on a beach that I said, "WOW! THAT IS NOT ME!" I lost 80 lbs and keep that picture on my food pantry. I gained weight after my second child, now I am battled to lose 20 lbs. I am 154 lbs right now.

When I was in training to become a fitness instructor, my class was given a scale of pictures. About ten cartoons of women ranging from about size 2 to size 20. We had to pick what we thought we looked like. All the women picked cartoons bigger than we were and all the men picked better looking cartoons than their reality. Funny eh? S

 

[disneychrista]

WOW! I thought I was the only "weird one" who in their minds eye saw themselves as thin(ner) then they really are. There are times even when I look in the mirror I see myself as thinner then I know I really am. I mean I KNOW that I am an obese woman, there is no denying that. But in my minds eye I am a size 12/14 not size 20/22 that I really am, though I am working toward that size 12, and hopefully the size 10, acid washed taped legged zippers at the ankle jeans I have from when I got preganat with DD12.

 

[tiggerlover]

disneychrista, you are definitely not alone. I often times think I am thinner than I actually am and then see a picture or something and think where did that body come from.

If I had to pick a body part that I like it would be my legs, I have always been told I had nice legs. The body part I dislike the most are my hips, they are definitely my trouble spot.

 

[glo]

Again I am the exception I guess it is just me...maybe I will feel better in a few days I really do see myself big...People keep saying how I look so thin, but I see fat and ugly. Maybe it is the way things were meant to be. Oh well

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Im another who sees myself as bigger than I am. Just the other day I was telling a friend that Im a size 14. She said no way could you be a 14. Some clothes I could probably fit in a 12 but I prefer my clothes roomy. Also depends on the way the clothes are styled. Not a good thing to wear baggy clothes cos then there is more room for growth.

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by glo
Again I am the exception I guess it is just me...maybe I will feel better in a few days I really do see myself big...People keep saying how I look so thin, but I see fat and ugly. Maybe it is the way things were meant to be. Oh well

Glo, I've seen you post similar comments and this really makes me sad. Especially since you have come so far and been such an inspiration to others. Is that really how you see your body? Are there feelings about yourself (not just your body) that make you feel that way? I'm only asking because I know often people confuse body and self image and they are two seperate things, but it's not good for you to feel down about either.

Do you still hide your figure in bigger clothes? Maybe a mini skirt or some lingerie might start to make you feel better? I don't know what the answers are but I hope you pursue these feelings because they may be holding you back. And you are a wonderful person who is now a shadow of her former self. You should enjoy it. ((((((HUGS))))))

 

[TigH]

I am teetering on the edge of seeing myself as skinny!!! When I go shopping, I am drawn to clothes that flash a bit more skin than I have in the past, so although I want them, I feel like I am till "too big" to wear them. Although my DH and family say that's not true - I know I am thinner, but I still feel like a big bruiser, like some large lady. I will never be petite, which is fine with me, but I would love to feel dainty! Soon.

Do you have any friends that are really petite or thin or just carry themselves with that girly air of confidence? Seems like some days no matter how good I feel about how I look at home, when I go out there are certain people who can deflate that feeling I have, and they aren't even trying. It's all in how you see yourself, Glo. I can feel like the most beautiful, feminine person in the world, but then I get around people who know how to put on make up or who can really throw together an outfit and I feel like I am wearing my older brothers clothes. Go figure!

 

[kamgen]

Glo, I am like you. I still see myself as the same chubby girl I was!

While I know I have lost weight and I see the clothes are smaller sizes, I still feel big....I still feel flabby....I hope I start to enjoy myself more...I gotta go bathing suit shopping this week for our FL trip...hmmmmm

Don't worry, I think we will be fine! Hope so anyway!

Kamy

 

[loisg1]

Know where you're coming from Beanie. Big boned and 5'10" - I've never been the petite, little waif. Oh, well, as long as I lose another 15 or so pounds and stay there - I'll be happy.

The things I like about myself... blue eyes, nice long legs, long arms, and thin fingers. The thing I really am annoyed with - ABD.

Oh, well-
Lois

 

[SonjaB]

I always see myself as bigger. When I was 18, I lost 42 lbs I had put on in my last year of High School and then in Cosmetology School (all we did was eat, LOL). I went from a size 16 to a size 8 and I vividly remember asking my mother how much weight you had to lose before you stopped seeing a fat girl in the mirror......

 

[nativetxn]

I haev a terrible self image. I wouldn't say that I see myself thinner than I am--I think I keep my appearance pushed way far away from my thoughts until I see a photograph and then I'm always embarrassed and shocked seeing what I really look like.

This isn't a good thing for me to do because I think that's why it took me so long to realize how terrible I really looked. Denial and avoidance are not good traits to possess.

I have a sister about 17 months younger than me. She has always been fairly narcissistic. She won't even go outside and dig in a flower bed without full makeup. It's the first thing she does everyday, put on her makeup. Her appearance is very important to her. She has never been out of control like me, weight wise, she grabs hold when she has less than 15 pounds to lose because she doesn't like her reflection in the mirror.

Vanity serves a useful purpose. I should try to acquire some of it

 

[dizneenut]

I'm with you, glo. People keep telling me how thin I look but I still feel like a blimp.
Even though I've lost 20 pounds, I don't "feel" like I've lost anything.

 

[December99]

I do have to say that listening to those of you that are thinner now - you need to know this is very common. I work in a counseling center and my boss' expertise is in Eating Disorders and that is how the "image" is. Once people are thin they never feel they are thin enough. And those that are larger, tend to think they are thinner than they are yet at times feel like they are bigger than they are. This is not a sign of an eating disorder but it's interesting facts that have been found in studies and research. The outlook for those that are thin that think they are not is how they begin their bout with eating disorders. It's all psychological of course and why more and more focus is on body image these days and positive body image and trying to relay the word that no matter what size you are - you are you inside and not out! It's all a society that we live in - you have to feel that you need to be thinner and thinner. And once that is melded into our heads - it's very hard to get that out.

When I was in high school I lost 50 pounds in less than 6 months. I did it while playing sports and later in life I realize that I was on the verge of having an eating disorder. I didn't make myself sick or anything but I was definitely working out very hard and fast and wanting to be thin. I am also big boned and I got down to 130 and couldn't go any lower. My body structure wouldn't let me. I was at a point where all I ate was nothing for breakfast, a candy bar and diet coke for lunch (yes every day), a diet coke and candy bar after school before practice (for energy) and maybe 1/4 of my dinner because I wasn't hungry. Fortunately I stayed pretty healthy until my body said stop and I was diagnosed with mono and strep together - and I had a pretty bad case of mono. It pulled my immune system down horribly and then I had pneumonia a year after. I looked skinny and I looked sick - I wasn't happy and I didn't have much of a life. That was my wake up call basically!

Now in today's world I know what my limits are and I know that I have to be happy with who I am or I will be right back where I was 15 years ago - not happy and not healthy. I look at myself as being thinner than I am at times, then there are times I look at myself as being heavier than I am - what makes me go back to thinking I'm okay is when I see someone that is obviously heavier than I am, then my attitude changes and I realize I don't want to get like that person - I don't want to get heavier and unhealthy. These are people that are having problems walking, problems sitting in chairs, problems breathing.

I hope for those that are thin and don't see themselves that way that you really look and see the person inside - it's the same person as is on the outside but better. And that person is a kind, loving, gentle person who loves life and needs to love who they are!!!!! You are thinner than you probably ever imagined yourself to be, you are healthier than you probably were in the beginning - you are a wonderful motivator to those that want to be like you and will at some point in our lives. You are an inspiration that we CAN and will do it and do it healthily (probably not a word but the best one I can use to describe). You are our mentors and we are proud of the way you look - you should be too!!!!! And you can be!!!!

My hope for those that are heavier and don't see themselves as thinner - that you too look inside at what is there. There is a remarkable person - also a kind, gentle, loving person that will be thinner and healthier in a matter of time. You are sticking to this because you want a new you, a healthier you, a thinner you!!!! And the changes that you have seen are for the good and you ARE thinner than you use to be!!!!!!

We all love you all for the way you are inside - please believe that the outside is GREAT and is getting GREATER!!!!!!

 

[FergieTCat]

This is going to sound awful, but no matter how heavy (my heaviest was 50 pounds ago) or how thin I am, I always feel like I am the most unattractive person on earth.

This time, I can see that I've lost weight and I do feel better about my overall self. Maybe self-esteem comes with maturity?

 

[Amelia]

I'm one of those people who think they're fat no matter what they weigh. When I got married I weighed 140 pounds and wore a size 8 and all I could see when I looked in the mirror was fat!! I now wear a size 18 and can't even imagine what I would look like in a size 8 any more. Right now my goal weight is 175 pounds. At that weight I will probably wear a size 12 or 14. I'm tall and big boned so naturally weigh more than petit women but as I get nearer to my goal I may try to lose even more. I envy those who see themselves as thin. I've never been one to see the bright side of things where my weight is concerned.

This kind of sounds like a pity party for me! Sorry.

Now for things about me that I like. I have fabulous fingernails! My nails are the stuff that hand models dream of. I like my eyes. They're blue and I have long lashes. I'm the type of person who's quick to smile and I think that's a big plus too.