Recently I went clothes shopping after loseing 100 plus pounds 329 to 189 since Oct 30. I went from 5x shirts to large misses and 26/28 pants to large 18/20 pants. But when I look in the mirror I feel like I'm looking at a stranger. Has anyone else felt this? Also I still feel fat. I know I have 60 more to go per Dr but personally about 20 I will be happy but very happy now.

So much is in our heads. I'll take "but very happy now"!!!

I'm starting to get over that thought process where I still see myself as that really fat woman. It's taken some time, though. A combination of things have helped: seeing a therapist for my head issues, taking lots of pictures, and spending time around a lot of supportive people. I have posted my pics all over facebook, as much for journal purposes as to let distant relatives know how I'm doing. For me the biggest changes came mentally from seeing what kind of attention other people give me. I've had a 30 year old firefighter (hot, hot, hot!) telling me how great my butt looks for months. That has been inspirational, to say the least. Between him and his girlfriend, they have convinced me that I look really good. She's a gorgeous girl, IMO, inside and out, and she spent a couple of hours one afternoon shopping with me. What convinced me that I'm actually NOT that fat woman was that we were trying on the same sizes of clothes, with her literally handing me a pair of pants she had just tried on that were too tight and when I tried them on, they fit perfectly. That was a huge AHA moment for me. Sometimes it takes something shocking to get it through my head. But, I still sometimes expect the "Fat Police" to come send me back to the plus size section in the stores! LOL

Yes, totally- on a daily basis. It's weird to look in the mirror at someone who is pretty close to "normal". I have lost 96 lbs with 47 to go....

Recently I went clothes shopping after loseing 100 plus pounds 329 to 189 since Oct 30. I went from 5x shirts to large misses and 26/28 pants to large 18/20 pants. But when I look in the mirror I feel like I'm looking at a stranger. Has anyone else felt this? Also I still feel fat. I know I have 60 more to go per Dr but personally about 20 I will be happy but very happy now.

A therapist can help wonders-- I see mine on Mondays!!

Find an eating disorder specialist and make an appointment - u can go to edrefferal.com to go f one in your area! Good luck abd congrats that's awsome!

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What I find disturbing is that I have kept a "changes" album, documenting my journey in photographs from my highest weight until my lowest (to date), I recreated that album here in a short version and the photo of me at my heaviest? I don't think I look any different now. I know *I know* that I do, obviously I could not have begun to pour myself into a size 16 back then, my 24s were tight, but I look at *her* and feel that that is me, currently. Go look for yourself in my photo album ...

A frustration also for me is that because I am so short, with all of my weight in my curves (hips, breasts, belly) I am STILL in plus sizes. Even when I was super fit a year ago before my recent regain (I got down to 164) my size 10 Levis were sausage casing tight. If I were wearing something that was truly comfortable it still would have been a 14! I'm currently losing weight again and the size 16s that were creating unsightly lower gut biforcation are now hanging nicely, but I know if I even attempted to put on one size smaller it would be sausageville. I have one pair of pants, cords from J Crew, that are a regular size 12. I wore them from 190 to 164 and at 164 they still fit perfectly fine, even a tad snug! I'm currently 189 and I know those dang pants are going to be wearable for another 50 pounds! GRR!!

Try not to focus so much on the number on the clothing tags. After all it's just something some people made up to make is "easier" to shop. Try to go more by how you feel. If you feel like you are happy with your weight where it is, then great! That is all that matters. Along with the others, i would recommend seeing a therapist, to help with the head issues. It can work wonders! As for your pictures, you look amazing!! there really is such a huge difference! Again, try not to get caught up in the numbers, and focus more on how you are feeling.

I think it is more difficult to get the new body image into your head if it seems to you that you were always overweight. I was dreadfully skinny in my youth. I was embarrassed to wear the tank tops required for the basketball team because of exposing my bony shoulders. To me, I am just going back to the original model.

I think you must adjust to the fact that your body is just a part of you, not the whole. Your body is the vehicle that gives expression to your spirit, emotions, and mind. They are all connected but not the same.

To me, I traded the dump truck I was driving for the spiffy sports car I was in before the load came on. Some of you need to grasp that your new ride is showing up. It's healthier, faster, and sleeker. Enjoy the ride!

Thats a huge problem I have.. I still want to shop for those big clothes.. not realizing how much wt Ive lost and the size of my clothes is no longer in the plus size. my hubby has to redirect me every time.. I look in the mirror..and I still see the same me.. even tho countless people tell me how great i look and call me skinny.. but if im in a size 16.. Im not skinny.. thats not a skinny size to me.. its what it is... I have like 50-60 lbs to go.. still a lot.. but I still dont see it at all.. maybe I never will I dont know.. maybe my mirror is lying to me .. who knows.. I hold clothes up and go.. that wont fit.. but when I try it on it does.. so my brain is not working right or something.. to me Im still going to be fat no matter what anyone says..

I have similar thoughts. Taking pictures and posting them and looking at them really helps. I'm very happy with my weight-loss and am adjusting to the fact that I'm a skinny person now I surprise my self every time I look in the mirror It reminds me that I'm thin now. I have been overweight since I turned 11 years old. So, for about 14 years I was fat. I was called fat, made fun of, and struggled to loose weight. It is in my head but when I look in the mirror I see that it has changed. It takes time but we will get it Stay positive

So the other day I went into my favorite clothing store. I didn't even bother to look at pants. I have a big butt. I bought 2 shirts, both smaller than I usually wear, and they are both too big. I do not see the changes in myself either.

It's messed up. I may need counseling too. Yippie.

I think our train arrives at our destination before we wake up and realize it.

Suggestion:

Find a store with non-crabby staff and preferably in a non-busy time of day. Try on many different types of clothes with different sizes that are in the ballpark of what you think you are. Take your time, look in the mirror, get the picture. Dig the new you.

I've tried on sizes that I knew were too small only to find out that they weren't...now.

You are experiencing a normal "body changing faster then your mind is"

Time ... will improve this.

This is a SUPER HELPFUL thread... THANK YOU ALL!

Thanks for all the tips. I showed my drivers license pic today to a couple girls at work they were like OMG I didn't see you that big. But know so little made me feel good. I am so happy and scared that it will all come back on. Or ill wake up this was all a dream.

Thanks for all the tips. I showed my drivers license pic today to a couple girls at work they were like OMG I didn't see you that big. But know so little made me feel good. I am so happy and scared that it will all come back on. Or ill wake up this was all a dream.

I felt exactly like that about 3 weeks ago! EXACTLY! As time passes and you loose more weight it sinks in this surgery is great