This has been kicking around in the back of my brain for a while. I know that we have so many people who simple don't have a clue what they look like. For some of us we can't see how much weight we've lost. I think partly because in our head we are still gi-normous, while in other cases we don't see it because we live with it. It's hard to notice change when it is incremental.

I would like to propose a series of threads that show what people look at different sizes. I've never seen anything like this anywhere, so this is why I'm proposing it here. I think this would be very powerful and invaluable for people moving down the size chart.

I also know that size is independant of weight, so I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to post weight too so that people can understand the range of weights that are possible at that size.

What do y'all think?

Back to topic though, it's kind of priceless that I think the model never looks "fat enough" to be me. How funny. I left the very thread where I was pondering these thoughts and then went to practice the poison. But then again, maybe they don't want the model to look big or we would hate the way we looked in everything and not buy a darn thing. Hmmm..that sounds like my reality model, not my virtual one. Geez...

I was the same! I couldn't make it fat enough for my vision of myself.

Apparently Sears doesn't think fat short people exist.

Thats strange because clothing thats made for the "larger" person is usually geared towards the shorter person. Well at least thats what I run into when I go shopping. I can never find anything to fit my long legs

I would like to see a software program where you could input your picture with your height and weight and it could show you a picture of yourself at your goal weight. THAT would be something that would TRUELY motivate me.

There's a site that I went to before being banded, when I had a couple of months on my hands to do nothing but think about being banded lol. Its called http://www.myvirtualmodel.com. Its become a bit more commercialized since then unfortunately, but it lets you create a model that looks similar to you, by designing the face, height, weight, etc.

I created 3 of them and captured snapshots of them with 'me' at different weights. Between the time I did this and actually got banded, I put on another 3kgs, but oh well, its gone now hehe.

I've posted the pics here to show an example. Its not perfect, but its given me something to strive for. As of this morning, I'm unofficially at the middle weight, 93kgs (but not changing my ticker til I go to the doctor again, if I can help it hehe). That said, the pics are a lil off cause I've definitely bigger than that now lol, and there's no way I could get in a string bikini heh.

Hey those are great Parvathi! But seriously, to REALLY get a picture of what we look like at those sizes the CELLULITE filter has got to be applied! Big time on the thighs for me--it's really those fat dimples on the saddle bags that make them especially endearing.

Those are really great Pavathi, but I just can't get it to work for me. I am within the stated weight paramiters.

Allrighty gang. I'll go first, hope it helps someone.

this is my After Summer Weight Loss Challenge pic. The tank top and the pants are both size 18W/20W. My measurements as of 8/16 are as follows:

weight 198 (that's todays weight)

Arms 15 inches

Bust 42 inches

Bra Band 36 inches

Waist 37 inches

Abs 46 1/2 inches

Hips 47 inches

Thighs 27 inches

Calves 16 1/2 inches

We need other posters so we can compare and repair our body dysmorphia.

Hey those are great Parvathi! But seriously, to REALLY get a picture of what we look like at those sizes the CELLULITE filter has got to be applied! Big time on the thighs for me--it's really those fat dimples on the saddle bags that make them especially endearing.

Ditto! I wish I could get an anti-cellulite filter to use in real life. Kare, I'll take you on: My cellulite's bigger than yours, nyah-nyah!

Ok, here are my body measurements...dang..i think i have lost all my 15 pounds in my boobs! :-(

Height 5'1

Current Size 24/22

Current BMI 48.2(that is down from 51) yea!

Arms 17”

Bust 51”

Bra Band 46”

Waist 49”

Abs 50”

Hips 55”

Thighs 28”

Calves 19”

Keri, what size are your clothes? You are cute as a button and look like loads of fun to be around! I see your poor little feet. Mine were "swollen" looking, too but now my slide on shoes are falling off. I keep kicking them around! You will LOVE your new feet as your weight falls off. I'm so excited for you!!

Come on foks...more pics and sizes and mesurements. This is very helpful!

Thanks Kathy!! 22/24...depends on the piece of clothing. lol..I can't wait to just see my feet again. I didn't start having swelling problems with my feet until I got pregnant and now I deal with it on a daily basis. I can't wait to get down to your weight!! I weighed that one time when I was eighteen.

I will have pix taken this weekend! Wheee!

This is my after Summer Weightloss Challenge pic, taken 9/6/05. The shirt is new, size 2X (I can't believe it), and the pants are 22.

Here's my info:

Height 5'8"

Weight 251lbs

Size 22/24 tops 20 or 22 pants

Current BMI 38.2 (down from 46.4 pre-op)

Arms: 16"

Bust: 51"

Bra band: 44 1/2"

Waist: 48 1/2"

Abs: 49"

Hips: 50"

Thighs: 28"

Calves: 18"

I don't have all of my measurements, just what I took for Nana~'s challenge, but it's still a good example I think. Not the bestest picture (and someday I'll quit saying that about ALL my pictures...).

The jeans are a size 16 stretch with a belt (that I got to tighten by an extra hole yesterday before that pic). The tag on the sweater is washed out, but if I had to guess, I'd say XL. I'm 5'6", under my bust is 39 3/4", my waist is 42", and my hip area at the widest is 50 1/2".

But look! I have a neck! haha.

I took these pictures last weekend, so that wuld be about 9/12/2005

I'm wearing size 22W pet. black Route 66 Relaxed fit jeans (k-mart) and a red henley, size 24 Cherokee Woman (target).

weight 248

If a moderator could please do the side by side thing, I'd appreicate it