There is definitely some sort of mental disconnect between what I now see in the mirror and reality. Most girls have major self image issues in high school, I was lucky enough for whatever reason to not really worry much about my body then (at least I don't remember really spending lots of time worrying about it). It wasn't until after I graduated that I became pretty hard on myself. That's when I really started comparing myself to other girls and analyzing every "flaw" I saw in the mirror. I actually know exactly what my insecurities stem from, but that issue is no longer important. And so hating my body began. Things got worse around 2008 when I gained weight. I hated getting dressed because I hated the way I looked in everything I wore.
When this whole weight loss thing got started I thought to myself, "If I just lose X amount of weight I'll be happy, I'll like what I see." But now that I've shed the weight I feel like I'm harder on myself now then I ever was in the past. It's like my brain can't understand that my size 4 pants are < my size 10's that are in a bag in the garage. I'm not even excited that only a handful of clothes in my closet fit. I noticed this whole issue a few weeks back. It was one of those running into someone I haven't seen in forever moments. An agent at work tells me how thin I am and says, "you're not trying to lose anymore are you?" In reality I am so I told her, "only 10 more." And she says, "from where?! you don't have 10 more to lose!" I laughed but in my mind I was thinking this lady is nuts! I have this and that and my waist, and on and on I went in my mind. I couldn't take her compliment, instead it just made me think of everything I don't like.
I don't think I have delusional ideas in my head of what I want to look like, but I do think that I am way to hard on myself lately. And not only what I see but also about what I put in my mouth. I worry that every not so perfect thing is going to make me gain, I stress about an imperfect day.
This whole thing is so much more then just physical, I need to be putting just as much time and patience towards my mental growth and maturity as I am to changing the outside.
Everyone's biggest and toughest critic is themselves. Ten million people could tell you that you look great, but it doesn't matter if you don't believe it. I understand where you're coming from, Sheri. But even having said that, you've always been a beautiful girl inside AND out. You have all the reason in the world to be excited about what you've accomplished. Get your mind right, girl!
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