How to adapt to "new" me after losing lots of weight?

[Wiifitmama]

I have searched old posts on here but can't see anything about this. Once you have lost a lot of weight, how do you adapt? I look totally different from when I started (95 pounds ago). I mean literally like a diffent person.....people I haven't seen in a while actually don't recognise who I am. I look at least 10 years younger too. I will be 40 next birthday. Inside I still feel like me, but when I look in the mirror it is someone else there. People tell me how great I look but I still feel like the fat (though not nearly as fat as before) girl.

As well as all that, I am getting used to strangers looking at me differently. Men in particular. I am happily married but finding the attention odd.

So, how long does it take to adapt to the new look? Has anyone else been through this? I would be intested to hear your experiences.

Thanks!

Congratulations on your weight loss. :)

Thank you.

Anyone have any experience of this?

Hi,

Don't be surprised if it feels odd. I don't have your experience sadly, but have the other way round, having put on weight very fast over two years, I notice that men don't look twice any more, that when I catch a glance in the mirror I see a fat old woman with bad posture not the person I was until recently. So I sort of understand from the reverse.

Maybe you need to spend a lot of time getting used to your new body so you feel like it is yours. Can you put some money aside to create a new look that you feel definitely feels like you?

Decide how you feel about men looking. If it makes you uncomfortable, learn how to deal with it in a way that you feel happy with as soon as you can. Unwanted attention from men can be one of the quickest ways to get that weight back on so you feel safe again and not at risk. But if you like it, then just smile. Why not?

Thanks for your reply. I do have a look I am happy with now. I am fortunate enough to have great friends who have been supporting me on my journey and have helped me with clothing, hair, makeup etc. I am not sure yet about the men thing. I often don't believe it is me they are looking at....but my friends instead.

I wonder how long it takes to get used to it? When do you look in the mirror and just see yourself.

I lost 56+ lbs and changed quite significantly. 18 months on, it is definitely 'me' in the mirror.

The only negative comments i got were from other women . Some were quite vocal in saying i had lost too much (only down to a 10-12 so not really) and saying i would put it back on again.

I would say you need to work out a new 'you' style as you no longer have to just buy something 'because it fits and looks ok'. You can develop a new/fun style all for yourself. I actually need to do this myself and have thought about trying a personal shopper (free one ) but not got round to it. Also make sure you get a new haircut and feel 'good' about the new you.

Well done

I lost 6stone after having Dd2 and the difference in the way the world treated me was astonishing. Both personally and professionally. The only person who was consistent was dh. I found I wore makeup more often, did my hair etc so I even treated myself differently really. I think you'll get more comfy with it all over time but it is a big change and a huge achievement too, so well done

I think you see yourself (instead of some skinny stranger) when the way you are now living becomes second nature. When you identify more closely with the healthy active lifestyle than the couch potato one.

Keep looking at yourself and your clothes, keep doing whatever healthy active things you do, and it will all gel for you.