How do you know what you actually look like?

[MrsSeanBean]

This might seem like an odd question, but I never seem to be able to relate what I see in the mirror to reality.

I wish I could view a photo - or see another person - and know that 'that's about the size I am'.

Does anyone else know what I mean? Would it help if we all posted photos and truthfully said I was size --- here?

Do you know...I was thinking this almost exact same thing just this morning...but about my face. Whether people see what I see.

IKWYM

My weight has varied wildly and I look EXACTLY the same to me - either a hideous fat moose (if pre-menstrual) or a complete babe (if ovulating)

Photos make me look like Ronnie Corbet which is NOT how I think I look

I know exactly what you mean. I can't look at another person and think 'she's the same size as me'. I'm a lot taller than average which I think makes it difficult for me too.

I am a twelve

I was thinking this tonight too as I looked in the mirror and realised I was the sort of opposite way around!!!! (Yes it has taken me some years to realise this!!)
You could get a load of other women to undress and stand in a line- Gok Wan style so you can fit yourself in where you think you are..?!?!?
Sometimes I think I have body eu-morphia - I think I look like a babe and realise when I see pics that I am actually a right minger.

I dont look closely at my face because I have a wonky smile and my nose isn't very nice and if I look with my left eye( I cant use them both together) then the right eyes wanders

I must look like a fucking ugly clown

I dont scrutinise because I dont want to change the way I feel I look iyswim

I feel I look ok ish

I completely understand and have the same problem with my hair colour. If I make a comment about someone being the same size as me dh often tells me I'm mad and am much slimmer.

I'm glad I'm not the only one here!

My weight has also varied drastically - but to me I always looked the same. It's only the evidence of clothes feeling loose or tight which tells me something is different.

IvyKaty - you look far smaller that what I imagine a 12 would look like!

Gosh yes. I sometimes walk around town with dp asking 'is my bum like hers....or hers....or.....' - it doesn't help that I don't have a full length mirror so only ever see little bits of myself at a time!

I know what you mean.

I think I imagine myself to be very different to what I actually am, and definately couldn't look at someone else and know whther I am the same size as them.

I have this, I think I have that body dismorphia in reverse.
I don't think I look too bad but I look at other people in the shops buying the same dress size as me and think they look fat

Oh gosh Trinity, I'm leaving my face out of this, not brave enough to go there!

I just wish I knew what size 'frame' I was.

Someone at work today was describing someone to me (who I didn't think I knew) and said - 'about your size frame... bla bla bla' - and I then wanted to set off on a manic quest to see what this lady looked like (discreetly of course!) I haven't found out yet.

never look down at your thighs when sitting on the loo!

I drive DH mad when we are out - asking him to try and spot someone who is the same size as me. He is wary to do so for fear of spotting the 'wrong' person I think! It would be great to see yourself as others see you.

well, I look like Claudia Schiffer

that is all I need to know

No sazisi, also never look down at your thighs when seated on bed opposite full length mirror!

MrsSB my DH won't play that game with me any more.. for fear of upsetting me

I agree too. I'm size 12-14, well actually more 14 atm, which whilst not sylph like isn't gargantuan, yet on most recent photos I look like an elephant and have no chin. When I'm half a stone lighter I look completely different in photos, but I just don't understand why such a small amount of weight could possibly make such a big difference and would love to be able to look at someone else and go oh yes she has the same figure as me.

I'm in the 'think I look gorgeous and get a shock when I see a photo' camp, definitely!

DP's boss once made a comment about me being so skinny that I might have a tough time giving birth. I'm size 16 round my hips.

(Boss is a woman BTW!)

Someone filmed me this weekend when I was climbing and I was surprised at how I looked tbh, not really hwo I imagined I look at all. I was a lot smaller than I think lol.

Tee hee anyfucker, I did a sleb face recognition thing once and it said I looked like Claudia Schiffer - honest truth! (Yeah, right I thought!) I think it's because I have prominent cheekbones and the same hairstyle... but there, I fear, the resemblance ends!

Sleb face thing? What's that then?

Dp says that I look like a cross between the woman from The Matrix and Ozzy Osbourne!