I feel fatter now that I've lost weight!

I began my weight loss journey 8 weeks ago at 177 pounds. I have now lost 13 pounds, which is almost halfway to my original goal. However, I am feeling discouraged because I am REALLY conscious of my size right now, much more so than before I started to lose! Before I began losing I was in really deep denial about my weight. I thought I was "normal" and no one told me differently. When I decided to make a change I began looking at myself more realistically and now, even though I have lost 13 pounds and people tell me often that I look thinner, I feel really really fat. It makes me feel ashamed to go anywhere because I feel like a giant. I know the weight is coming off but right now I wish I could hide until it does.

Its really sad because I never had problems with self confidence before. Ignorance is bliss, right? Its just frustrating because I did not begin this change to feel bad about myself - I wanted to feel better about myself! But now that I am thinking about my weight loss goals all day I judge myself so much more than I did when it wasn't a thought at all.

I hope that once I reach my goal my feelings will change. However, I was wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar, and if they had any advice for how to feel better about myself.

Also, my PT name is dream87. Please check out my public log and leave comments if you want!

Mon. Jul 16, 2:36pm

Your comment made me realize that I haven't seen a discussion thread about the relationship between body image and exercise. Rather than replying to you directly here, I'll start a new thread on that topic. Hope it helps ...

Monday, July 16, 2007, 2:46 PM

I've lost over 40 lbs and have never used to have body image problems when getting a little intimate with the opposite sex (meaning that despite being 200+ lbs, I didn't insist on lights-off), but now that I'm just a little chubby instead of undeniably obese, the fat kind of...hangs. My belly skin is wrinkled, my arms flap because they're no longer distended with solid fat, and varicose veins formerly hidden by fat are now visible. I think I look disgusting with my clothes off and have been actively avoiding the prospect of dating because of this. Not that I get a lot of offers, but I'm going out of my way to avoid situations where I might meet anyone with potential. I'm totally confident and proud of my new shape with my clothes on - but don't you dare suggest a bathing suit, shorts, nudity or, god forbid, try to touch belly. I just want to shrivel up and disappear.

Monday, July 16, 2007, 3:19 PM

Me, too. Used to be a size 24 full of confidence. Now a 16, losing confidence.

We IGNORED our bodies and that's how we ended up fat. Now we are hyper-focused because of diet and exercise, and therefore more critical.

I try to remind myself that I am way more harsh on myself than other chubby girls out there, so maybe I need to cut myself a break. I think you need to be consistently mindful and eventually the feelings will improve.

But it does suck and it's really tough! Good luck.

Monday, July 16, 2007, 3:47 PM

I used to weigh 234, now I weigh 147. Your post really hit me, I didn't realize I felt the same way. What do we do to make it better? I'm not at my goal yet but shouldn't I feel more confident now than 87 lbs ago? My husband can't keep his hands off of me but I feel like a cow. I guess I still think I am huge? How do we fix this?

Monday, July 16, 2007, 5:08 PM

OP here

I'm glad I'm not the only one experiencing this! 3:47, I think you hit the nail on the head when you said, "We IGNORED our bodies and that's how we ended up fat. Now we are hyper-focused because of diet and exercise, and therefore more critical." I think that is the best way of describing it. Its just sad and frustrating because I should feel happy and proud instead of self conscious and depressed. I am somewhat concerned that this could develop into another problem for me. My first problem was that I ignored my weight and was an unhealthy and unattractive size. Now I worry that I will have a problem never having a good enough body.

You know, I never thought I was one of those people for whom their weight is an emotional problem. I thought it was just a problem of eating too much and not having enough self control. But I think I was wrong. Maybe deep down I was so sure my body could never be good enough that I just didn't even try.

Its sad that as women we have to struggle with our body image so much. It shouldn't be that important! But I feel like how I look is a walking billboard for who I am, even though I know that's not true.

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to overcome this problem of low self-esteem?

Monday, July 16, 2007, 7:11 PM

Set physical/athletic goals, preferably something that you can compete in (tennis, running, etc). I did that just to break up the boredom of my fitness routine and found a new respect and appreciation for my body. It was great proof that I was making progress, and in a way that didn't involve the scale.

As for low self-esteem...if the solution were easy, most of us wouldn't need this website.

Monday, July 16, 2007, 8:49 PM

Wow, I was just thinking along these lines this morning… I was thinking back when I had gone from 203 down to 153 and a size 10. I see pictures and think wow you looked great I worked out, ate right and physically felt great, but inside, emotionally I was never good enough, I was thinner on the outside but still felt like a fat girl on the inside and very uncomfortable when heads turned my way. I still felt and saw myself as fat and subconsciously I believe I started packing on the pounds till that fat picture in my mind became reality again, and after all my hard work… its hard for me to understand why I did it so I don’t expect anyone else to understand but I know it’s truly not where I want to be which is why I’m here and back on track towards accomplishing new goals but this time its not just to lose weight but also to become emotionally stronger to deal with the attention that comes with being thinner and living a healthier life before its to late. The power of suggestion is a powerful thing so start visualizing yourself as healthy emotionally and physically and taking necessary steps to make them a life long reality because you’re worth it and life is to short for the discomfort and illnesses associated with fat.

Monday, July 16, 2007, 11:24 PM

While attitude isn’t everything it still is a huge part of who we are and how we portray ourselves thin or fat. Remember we are our biggest critics and what we portray as a horrible problem may not be as big of a deal to those who truly care about us.

Don’t forget what it felt like to be fat, how uncomfortable it truly is – how hard it is to bend over, to tie your shoes, to clip your toe nails and what about bathing I know this sounds gross but its hard to even groom oneself easily at 50 lbs overweight and you may not have had wrinkles during sex when you were heavy but believe me your partner felt every extra pound laying on them and I bet your stamina wasn’t all that great either and what about all the aches and pains of a sedentary life style I’ll bet they started to disappear with the weight loss did you forget about them? Believe me it really is miserable and right now I’d settle for some extra skin, at least you can hid it beneath your clothes fat pretty much shows no matter what you do so KEEP MOVING FORWARD don’t forget where you came from but don’t dwell on it either you’ve accomplished something great and don’t trade one crutch for another.

Monday, July 16, 2007, 11:35 PM

I felt fatter now

Everyone comments here are dead on!! I just gained about 30 to 40 LBS that I worked so hard to loose. I have been up and down my whole life.
Long story short.....gaining the weight again this time around was THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPEND TO ME!!!!!!!!!

I stoped, analized my relationship with food and emotions and though it was told to me over and over again, i realize I need to love me 1st before trying ot loose weight. I always yo-yo with my weight because i was doing it for the wrong reasons. This time around I love myself when i look in the mirror.

sometimes i crack up at myself because i have only lost 10 LBS since i started working out again, but i feel like i have lost all the weight i had gained!! I FEEL GOOD INSIDE ABOUT ME!!!!!!! that is priceless.

consider analizing your life and your motivation as to why you want to loose weight! then once you figure that out your emotions eventually will fall into plce and you will love yourself inside, then outside.

Monday, July 16, 2007, 11:51 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge