Lost weight, gained...dysmorphia?

CarbDone

Active member
Super stoked that I'm down 40 pounds in about half a year, going from 208 to 168 (I'm 5'7). Aiming for maybe 150ish. But the weird thing? The more I shrink, the nastier I am to myself when I look in the mirror.
 
I hear you! I'm 5'6", started around 185, now I'm hovering near 155, shooting for 135. I keep noticing things to 'fix' that never bothered me before. I think it's cause weight doesn't vanish evenly, so proportions get wonky. But logic goes out the window when you're staring at yourself after all this effort.
 
Ugh, body dysmorphia is the worst. I *feel* bigger now, but my clothes are practically falling off. Pictures are usually better too. It's like the mirror is lying. Or when I'm grabbing clothes I grab sizes that are WAYYY too big for me now.
 
I get that too @Pep_552. I dropped about 60 pounds but didn't work out as much as I wanted due to some injuries. Now I obsess over the extra skin on my stomach, even though it's mostly flat. Gotta remind myself how much better I feel! Sleep, breathing, movement... all improved. Not aiming for 'perfect,' just healthier. And thanks for the kind words @Eddie.
 
I've been on this for 7 months, similar starting BMI, similar weight loss. I totally see your before/after and it's HUGE progress. Congrats!
 
So real @Melt_Boss! I’m 5’4, started 170, now I’m 120-125 and have been for two and a half years and still feel that way.. Even if someone says “that would look good on you bc you’re tiny”, It doesn’t register. Getting dressed feels like I'm expecting my clothes to be tight forever.
 
First off, congrats on the 40 pounds @CarbDone!! I know how you feel, I've shed over 100 and still have days where I feel like I haven't changed at all. Don't think it ever fully vanishes. Gives me sympathy for those naturally slim people who complain about feeling 'fat'. It's mental warfare, and we just need to focus on the little victories!
 
I'm 55F, 5'11", and I managed to drop 42 pounds in 6 months! (SW222, CW180, GW165). I stare in the mirror and zero in on my thighs and stomach... like they need to vanish completely. Part of it's loose skin, plus back fat near my bra. I've narrowed in on the spots that could be smaller even though I've already dropped two sizes. Sitting down and feeling my stomach is the worst. The brain is so weird.
 
SW 223 CW 157
I was just telling a buddy today that when I see myself I still see a fat dude. I'm less comfy now than before. Not that I was ever really happy, but I'd reached a level of just accepting it after being the same weight for almost 3 years.

I see the difference, and I know it's real. I feel it when I'm moving around. But it's a mental hurdle I'm still sorting out.
 
It's wild how much our perception can be skewed. I've been overweight since I was a kid, and even though I'm finally feeling healthier thanks to this medication, it's hard to shake that old mindset.
 
Guy, 30s. Started around 40 BMI, got down to 26. Dropped 120 lbs of fat, gained 20 lbs of muscle. Not trying to maintain though - was planning to bulk up from there
 
Guy in my 30s. Started at a BMI of about 40, got down to 25.8 after losing roughly 120 lbs of fat while actually gaining about 20 lbs of muscle. Started working towards a bulk after that point, which wasn't really the plan anyway. Just curious if anyone else has hit that sweet spot after losing a bunch.
 
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