Struggling to see weight loss after reaching healthy BMI

[Username19893847477374]

I have always been overweight/obese as long as I can remember, BMI between 28 and 32 consistently my whole adult life. Would lose weight but put it back on, up and down a bit for 20 years. After WLJs I'm now BMI 22.5 (it's been about a year) and trying to maintain (expecting to be on the jabs for the foreseeable).

My issue is my mind. I cannot see my weight loss. I bought new jeans, size 10, so objectively know I've lost weight but I just don't see the reality. It's a bit scary. How do I sort this? It's freaking me out a bit.

Also to add, when I was obese I didn't think I was that big and probably saw myself as being slimmer than I was in my head (and avoided photos because I think it confronted me with the truth). So potentially I've always been good at lying to myself about weight and reality! But only realising that now...

Any advice?

It will take time. I started taking mirror selfies in outfits that I liked, and then looking back at them and comparing them to photos I had of me before I lost the weight. I would never have taken photos like that before, but it is useful to be able to directly compare. Even better if you are wearing the same clothes for a direct comparison. I also look at myself in my full length mirror every day whereas before I would absolutely avoid doing so.

You have a mental image of your shape/size which needs updating with the reality of what shape/size you are now, so you need to actually spend some time regularly looking at the reality of what you now look like.

Absolutely with you @Username19893847477374 and currently no real solution, so following along with interest. I do take mirror selfies of outfits to try and track progress and, like you, keep needing to buy smaller clothes so I know objectively I am smaller but I just don’t see it!

Yes, the photos is a good idea. I had to take a picture for simple online pharmacy recently and it was shocking how I looked, so I just sent it off quickly and didn't really consider it properly. So need to confront the issue. Thanks both.

It's really freaking me out! Good to hear I'm not alone