AIBU to be depressed about my body

[TeaForMeTa]

Yesterday I ran a local 5k and the photos are published this morning- I look dreadful.

I run three times a week, I do an exercise bootcamp and yoga once a week, I do weight and resistance training. I eat a very healthy diet.

But my body disgusts me.

I look so chubby. I'm very short, big boobs, broad shoulders and saggy skin on arms, legs and stomach where I lost weight a few years ago.

AIBU to be gutted and depressed I'll never look anything like I'd hoped despite all the hard work I put in?

I don't want to go out the front door today.

Could you reframe your thinking to how amazing your body is because of what it can do (run 5k) rather than how it looks?

Those run photos always come out terrible, unless you are about 18, I've just learned never to look and ignor them as like you I'm reasonably fit and they are always depressing

I suspect you look a huge lot better than most people walking around the UK, OP. 75% of them couldn't run 5km for a start.

Anyone who looks good after running wasn’t running hard enough.

You sound pretty amazing to have lost weight and kept it off.

I’d rather know a hard working, amazing, active, healthy person than a beauty queen any day.

GO outside

Thank you for the kind replies - I'm trying to focus on the fact I'm fit(ish) but my self esteem isn't great so I focus on the flaws.

Yes YABU, you should be so proud of your achievements. You need to be your own best friend and be kind to yourself. We all have flaws, but not many of us have run 5km - including me.

Congratulations.

OP most people focus on their perceived physical flaws in photos. I'm sure everyone else was focusing on your achievement. Well done.

You are so much more than what you look like, op. Literally everything else about you is more important.

Keep doing what you're doing! Live your life, enjoy it.

Follow Bryony Gordon on Instagram and Jamila Jameel's Iweigh movement on Instagram. They will inspire you to love your body.

Also, unfollow anyone with toxic ideas about bodies e.g. the Kardashians etc. Or anything that makes you feel more shit about yourself.

Also, read Matt Haig's The Beach - or anything by Matt Haig really. He will encourage you to accept yourself as you are.

Those running photos are horrific. I nearly cried when I saw mine. Saggy skin in motion is never going to look Instagram worthy.

But I bet in your jeans you look banging hot. And who doesn't want to look banging hot in jeans?

I've lost weight recently and have a few areas that up close, now look slightly deflated. Luckily most people won't be seeing those bits up close, and in my new smaller sized clothes I've been getting all the gratifying compliments I'd hoped for!

Nobody looks great while actually running. But running makes you look great.

I run a lot. Recently ran an ultra. Someone took my photo (at my request) at the end. Before anything, I thought to myself, I don't look too fat in that pic.

Then I realised how fucked up that was - I mean, I had just run a distance pb. I decided to think about what my body could do instead.

You run. You are strong. You are demonstrating mental as well as physical strength and endurance. This is good. Who gives a fuck about anything else? Who are you comparing yourself to? Why does it matter?

In this heat, and now I am old enough to not give a fuck, I now run in bra top and shorts. In a recent set of race photos I looked decidedly sketchy around the middle (I am a size 10-12 and have always tended toward the chubby, so am fairly flabby of stomach) and cellulite-y on the thighs. I looked awful. But I decided to concentrate on the feeling at the finish line and the achievement of my goals. Can you do something similar? Most of us have 'normal' bodies.

Also, check out the 'Instagram reality' sub on Reddit. Great for a reality check.

Just please don't stop running.

I remember seeing a picture of myself when I did a 10k all I thought was how fat I looked . Then I thought no I've just ran 10k I look great .
There will always be someone faster, thinner more beautiful but us woman always do ourselves down, I'm worst for it .
You should be proud everyone feels they look like crap when they see a picture of themselves running but no one else thinks that . They just think wow well done you .

My parkrun pictures are always so unflattering but dh assures me I don't look like the photos. Bodies are supposed to wobble but running isn't a photogenic sport. Well done for running 5k!