Perception

[morgan]

How do we perceive ourselves?  I often think overweight people are like those suffering anorexia. Anorexics have a distorted mind image of their bodies- even when shown how emancipated their bodies are, they only see that they are fat.  I don't know about others but I feel I do too - in the sense that I know I am overweight, the evidence is in the mirror, the scales and the occasional comment from doctor or my mother to lose weight.  But in my mind's eye I don't see myself as that larger person, I see me - a thinner person (obviously trying to break out  ). So the outside person now has to reconcile with the inside person and come to an agreement of the outcome - maybe we can meet midway.  Here is hoping. 
How do you perceive yourself?  Do you go by what others say to you or how they treat you?  Or what's in your mind's eye?

[MommaB]

Well Morgan, I was anorexic when I was in high school and college and can tell you without doubt that I really did see myself as fat even though I was 5' 8" tall and 105 lbs at my lowest! I feel way thinner now than I am, and I think that it's really hard to see myself as anything other than fat! I do like to look at myself in the mirror as I've lost weight and I think that I am actually beginning to see the real me now as opposed to seeing that old distorted view of me! It's really hard and all seems to be an eating disorder either not eating or eating way too much!! I've often thought about this myself, but I think that I'd like to think that what matters is what I think of me and not what others think of me. My husband has always been supportive of me and surprisingly finds me attractive no matter what!! I am truly blessed!! I don't know if I've answered the question or not, but these are my thoughts on the subject!!

[jen1975]

I struggled with Bulimia 10+ years ago.  Prior to that I was overweight as a teenager, all the way through adult hood.  I'm struggling now even as my size 12's become loose; when I look in the mirror all I see is fat.  I know I am not... and some days I look in the mirror and go 'wow I look good!'.  Those days are few, but more than before!  I think it's hard - I have a "fat" brain apparently.  Unfortunately, I do tend to go by other people's perceptions of me only because my own is so distorted!

[Andrea]

I was always surprised when I saw myself in pictures or a mirror.  I considered myself a thin person even with a lot of evidence to the contrary.  Now I'm am the thin person and know how to stay that way.

This is a really good question, Morgan.  Part of changing lifestyle has to be understanding these issues that guide our behavior.  Well thought out changes are more likely to last.

[umpa]

Welcome back Jen!
Great question Morgan! Its funny my eyes always go to the areas that aren't perfect instead of the ones that look great! My attitude is wonderful though,I say"You look great for 47". I think we need to learn to love ourselves whether we are 100 pounds or 300 its the same issue.Anorexics and Bulimics although polar opposites but have the same issue,poor body image.

[mouseissue]

Great topic, Morgan!

Before FTS, with the exceptions of when I played football and when I worked the shipyards,
I ALWAYS saw a FAT MAN in the mirror.
For some reason. he looked even BIGGER in pictures.
This is why I avoided being in picture's whenever possible.

This negative self-image (i.e. self-perception) led to more and more eating for comfort.
I figured, what the heck!... I'm FAT so I might as well over-enjoy eating.
It made me feel "better" (at least during the time I was stuffing my face).

I lived in this cycle until I found FTS which changed EVERYTHING including my attitude toward my body.

Umpa's so very right!... We MUST accept and love ourselves for who and what we are TODAY!!!
If we do not, no amount of weight loss will lead to contentment with ourselves.
This is why anorexics believe their fat REGARDLESS of reality.

This is not to say that we should not see room for improvement... I think that's why we're all here.
But we should not allow our "imperfections" define our self-images.

Now, every time I look in the mirror, I no longer see a FAT man.
I see a man with a little weight to lose, and on his way to losing it! And FAR healthier too!