Why do I look and feel heavier, even though I am still losing?

[UpUpUpU]

Sorry for the random title.

I was a lower BMI starter due to pre diabetes (29.5). I have lost just over 2 stone and now am a BMI of about 24. I am still carrying lots of weight around my middle and my thighs so would like to lose a couple more kgs.

I took some pictures end of January and felt I looked so much better than my start pictures and was pleased. Since then I have lost 2 more kilos but feel heavier, my stomach feels bigger again and I don't know why?

I do swim 3 times a week for an hour, play tennis once a week, pilates or barre twice a week, walk loads at work but am very aware I need to do more as I am unhappy again :(

I have booked a PT session at the gym for today to start doing some weight training.

Have I just got used to this new size or is it lack of muscle? Will weight training help?

I do have some pictures if anyone is interested but I don't think I am seeing things! I am going abroad in a month and I was excited to wear a bikini but now I feel self conscious again.

Thanks in advance.

It is difficult to measure "feel" as you body shape will be changing with the weightloss. Photos can be deceiving too with different angles/clothes/lighting etc.

Measuring every month/last dose of pen might help. Most of the weight logging apps have measurement logging options in them too.

If you want to you could share your pictures. Mounjaro can cause body shape changes in women - eg some pear shaped women have become more apple shaped as they lose more weight.

Now that could be that you were so overweight initially that it wasn't your true shape and this new one is how you look when slim. Or it could be because you're not eating enough on Mounjaro it's causing you not to move as much as you used to.

I'd eat more protein (try to have 50g at least), do weight bearing exercise, and see if that improves this.

Could it be that you’ve lost the weight in other areas that makes your tummy look bigger than it is?

My belly is bigger than the rest of my body after I’ve lost weight but it was always bigger than the rest of my body anyway but now on my small body, it’ll be more noticeable. I do lots of exercises especially weights and I’m off MJ now and the exercises are helping with toning up and it’s all getting better.
However I wear shape wear under my dresses and it conceals it nicely.

I've lost a fair amount of weight on MJ but feel "heavy" and I think in my case it's partly because sure my digestion is sluggish and I'm often slightly constipated

Are you actually physically bigger based on how your clothes fit / measurements, or are you describing your perception of yourself? If it is the latter then you need to give yourself time to adjust. I think many of us experience a degree of body dysmorphia; I certainly have.

I definitely think our own perception is way off. I wonder with myself if I feel fatter because it gets more wobbly as it breaks down. I was sure I’d gained but had lost 8lbs.

You are probably all right that it’s just my perception. I’M the lightest I have been for 20 ears and I feel really slim when dressed.

It could also be that my heavy weight I had a hard block of rounded fat around my middle which made me look pregnant when I sat down and now it’s much looser and has 2 smaller rolls (if this makes sense?) so feels a different kind of uncomfortable.

Saying all that, I did a moving and handling course at work today and was called tiny by the instructor!

Wow! That's a nice compliment :)

So I have gotten over myself.

Was looking for a picture from last year when I came across a photo my partner took of me by the pool last April. It was ‘the one’ that spurred me into action.

Today I tried on swimwear for this Aprils holiday and I am 3 dress sizes smaller. The pictures side by side are so different and I am now just very grateful for my new, healthier and slimmer body and embracing it!

I am even happy to share the pictures. Incoming…

And there we go

Amazing difference 👏. You look fantastic! I will say, I think you also looked fab before too. I hope seeing the two pictures side by side gives you more confidence in your new size going forward. This is such an inspiration for me (just started) thank you for sharing.