Hi op, I have lost over 140lbs in the 3 years. In my brain I know I look the different, but when I look in the mirror I “see” the same 300lb person. I automatically go to the plus size section for clothes first, and then have to say to myself, “all this $hit is too big!” . I still wear my 3x winter coat. All my shoes are too big, but to me my feet look the same. Who knew you lost weight in your feet? Like inches?

Someone at work that didn’t know me when I was bigger actually described me as thin, and was like whaaaaaat? It was weird to be described that way.

Despite being over 50, in my mind's eye, I'm pretty similar to that 25-30 year old guy I used to be. (And when it comes to my sense of humor, more like my 15 year old self.) Anyway, I don't think that a disconnect between self-image and actual appearance is limited to weight.

OP here thanks for the input.

I am a bigger guy 6’4”. I was 330 and now between 245-250. Trying to get down to 220-225. I was never immobile, was pretty active just not as active as I wanted it be. I was worried about aging at that weight. Feel a little better overall, definitely notice things that remind me of the amount of weight I lost.

Guess I will do a mental assessment when I look in the mirror in six months.

OP, it took me about a year and a half to feel “normal” after a similar weight loss. The mind is a weird place.

Op, I’ve lost over 50lbs in the last year and I know intellectually I look very different, and I can see it in photos, but staring at myself in the mirror I just don’t see it at all. I think it’s a tad bit of body dysmorphia and a bit of it is that I look in the mirror every day so it just doesn’t seem as drastic to me as it does to people who haven’t seen me in a while. Someone I haven’t seen at work since pre COVID actually walked right by me in the office the other day, stopped, turned around and said, oh my, I did not even recognize you.

I think it is pretty normal. I dont think I was ever really happy with any points I have reached. The only time when I realize, that damn I looked good at that point, was when I look at older pictures. I never learned to appreciate what I look like in the moment, regardless of how many compliments I receive.

Well done op that's some achievement. If you are comfortable and feel healthy and keeping it off, there doesn't have to be a huge self-image change. Also the longer it takes to lose then the more gradual the change, it is likely you're just used to the transformation now. I think this possibly is more a psych question than a diet one, though.

I went through this - I am down from about 275 to now 180 or so, and I have been this way for about 2 years now. It may be as simple as the fact that you are looking at the front of your body. When I walk by a set of windows, and see myself walking from the side, it is very apparent the difference. May sound weird, but that was the only time I finally realized the huge difference.

And, it otherwise takes time. Either way, great job! I am sure you feel 10 million times better.

Congratulations! That is a huge accomplishment. I agree about seeing ourselves a certain way. My analogy is aging; when I look in the mirror, I don't think I look that much different than I did when I was younger. But I know that can't be true.

Can you compare size by side pictures? Our brains tend to see what they expects (why it’s hard to see what we look like when we’ve gained as well as lost).

Clicked thinking this was a thread about Johnny Weir. Am disappointed.

It may take some time to get used to your new body and for your brain to see yourself as you are now. Maybe you could try to encourage your brain by intentionally noting your clothing size before you put it on, measure your various areas and compare it to a year ago including weight, and look in the mirror and tell yourself "I lost (80!) pounds, I am smaller and fitter than a year ago. Congratulations!

Yes. Your brain thinks of you in a certain way, and it takes a long time for your brain not to think of yourself as a “fat person” any more. I had been very heavy, lost a ton of weight and I was a fat girl in my mind for years. I finally considered myself a skinny person, and then a combination of kids, health issues, medications, and life cause me to put much of it back on again, and I still startle myself in a mirror when I now see fat me again because my brain is in the other place.

I don’t know but wanted to congratulate you on your success. My close friend who struggles with obesity says the best thing about being smaller is being able to move around better. Have you noticed that as a positive change?

I have lost 80-90 lbs over the past year. I get compliments almost daily from people I haven't seen in a while. I feel better, know the pounds are gone, have gone down a couple of pants sizes, but when I look in the mirror I really don't think I look that different. The only place that I feel I look different is where I now have true definition in my shoulders and quads/hamstrings.

Is not feeling like you look different normal after loosing a lot of weight?