I'm not sure if I have this or not but when I look in the mirror I don't see that I have lost 71 lbs. all I see is how big my stomach, butt and thighs still are. I don't like being mentally negative like this. I am not at goal yet but I think this mental negativity is not productive. Anyone felt like this? How did you overcome these feelings? I should add that there are days that I can really see progress and it is encouraging. Today though I feel negative.

71 pounds?! That's awesome and no joking matter!! Is there anyway you can focus on the way your clothes feel and look on you when you look in the mirror instead of what you don't like? i am the same way with my stomach.. i have some bumps and rolls lol and i zone into that spot. Never fails. Why not a walk or a quick video / gym time to get cardio in.. it always changes my moods from bad to good. One of my right now favorite quotes is The only motivation you need is staring back at you in the mirror. Best of luck!

I'm the same way. I hope one day I can see myself the way others do, but I'm not there yet.

In the past I took pics and looking at those can see the difference as opposed to looking in the mirror.

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One of the things that I did prior to surgery was take a before photograph. And then 6 months later I took an after photograph. I replicated the same pose.

Many people cannot see the changes after weight loss surgery. In my case I was the photographer in the family so I never appeared in the photographs. When I looked in the mirror all I saw was a straight on shot, so it was easy to overlook my weight. So my before and after photo was the best way to overcome my inability to see and appreciate my weight loss.

I have days where I feel amazing and proud of myself, and can really appreciate just how far I've come. Then I have days when I look in the mirror and feel gross and ugly, and like I look just as bad as I did a year ago when I was 170 pounds heavier. I've seriously lost almost 200 pounds and I STILL feel this way sometimes, it's ridiculous. Our bodies change rapidly during this process, but our minds are going to take some time and effort. If only the surgery could fix our self-esteem like it fixes our appetites.

I have days where I feel amazing and proud of myself, and can really appreciate just how far I've come. Then I have days when I look in the mirror and feel gross and ugly, and like I look just as bad as I did a year ago when I was 170 pounds heavier. I've seriously lost almost 200 pounds and I STILL feel this way sometimes, it's ridiculous. Our bodies change rapidly during this process, but our minds are going to take some time and effort. If only the surgery could fix our self-esteem like it fixes our appetites.

I could have written this myself! This is exactly the way I feel!

One of the things that I did prior to surgery was take a before photograph. And then 6 months later I took an after photograph. I replicated the same pose.

Many people cannot see the changes after weight loss surgery. In my case I was the photographer in the family so I never appeared in the photographs. When I looked in the mirror all I saw was a straight on shot, so it was easy to overlook my weight. So my before and after photo was the best way to overcome my inability to see and appreciate my weight loss.

James, thank you for sharing your pictures! I should be more diligent to document as I go. When seen side by side like that you can see quite a dramatic difference.

When I went for my 6 mo post op they took pics (also took before). That was the first time I could actually see the difference and man was it a big one.

I also feel like I could've written that. I've cried to my therapist several times about this to be honest. I have those days where I feel like I've made no progress, or I'm not making any more progress. I jiggle my stomach or thighs and want to cry. I'm around 180 right now, we started around same size, etc. I feel this ALOT. One thing that hit home was when I actually put on a size 14 pair of pants, and this past weekend shopping for size Large shirts, which I haven't worn since high school. It's hard. I try to use those moments when I feel down or don't see what others see, to realize how far I have truly come and how much healthier I feel.

It is funny that I would see this post today. I was just telling husband that every time (every day) I put on my size 18 pants I look at them and think *who am I kidding...these aren't going to fit* and then as if by magic the slip on and button...I don't see myself as smaller either. I don't dwell on it but it is very real and hard to get over. I made myself go and buy clothes that fit so that I can get used to being the new smaller me.

The struggle is real! Congrats on the weightloss...keep it up!