body dysmorphic disorder?

[Stargazing]

okay, excuse the dramatic subject line, but had to get your attention! I'm perplexed and a little down. I'm 5'10" and my weight has been around 11 stone for years. Had dc2 in December and 3 weeks after the birth, weighed 11 stone 10. In March, I started a detox plan and now weigh 10 stone 4.

Here's the problem: I've always felt big and I still feel big. Somehow, the numbers on the scales just don't equate to what I thought I would see in the mirror, or how I thought I'd feel. Even though all of my clothes are hanging off me, all I see is a big lady in the mirror it's like, empirically I know I've lost weight but I just don't see it or feel it. Everyone keeps telling me how great I look, and that I don't need to lose any more weight etc etc but I think that maybe I need to lose another 7 lb or so to get the result I need. My husband says I have body dysmorphic disorder (hence the title) but he is dramatic by nature.

I guess my question is: has anyone else felt the same? any advice? Sorry to ramble.

[Judy1234]

It's a known condition. You might need some therapy for it. Your BMI must be about 20 which is perfectly healthy. Perhaps you just need some clothes that fit if they're all hanging off you. A BMI of 18.5 is also healthy so you could be down to 9 stone 3 to be at lowest safe weight for height but most people don't feel fat at BMI of about 20. I don't, it's about what mine is I think although I think I look a little bit better when I'm slightly lighter.

Perhaps you just need all the muscles tightening up with exercise however. You can look better at your weight with more exercise than someone lighter who isn't taut and toned.