Body Image

I put the trigger icon because I don't know how the eating disorder folks will react to this thread.

I have had a body image problem since I began working out as a teen. It's not to the extent that I respond with eating disorders, but I don't recognize when I am in good shape. My wife always told me I had this problem but I didn't believe her until recently.

I had posted some pictures on a fitness site a while back. After gaining 23 pounds while on seroquel, and looking back at those pictures, I should have been quite satisfied with my body at the time. I wasn't, and remembered how frustrating it was that I was working out so hard and not getting any better. Even now, after losing 11 pounds in 6 days, I am still embarrassed by my weight and am not feeling better about myself.

Surely this isn't a rare problem. Has anybody been able to fix this problem? Maybe make it a little better? I know about the self talk deal, but how about specific "treatments"?

Vs, I'm the first one to admit that I had a weight problem, so on June 15, 2009, I had lap band surgery. I only lost 30 pounds off the bat, and I've been struggling to lose weight ever since. And no matter how much I hear people tell me that I look great, I look so much healthier, etc etc etc, I still see "the fat girl" that I was before surgery. And every single one of my friends that's had weight loss surgery will still say the same thing.

The only way I seem to feel "good" about myself and my progress is that I put up picture of me before surgery, and after, and I can see a difference. I actually LOOK cuter (I have a dimple in my left cheek that I'm pretty fond of, and it's getting more prominent), and I can tell that I felt good about myself when those pictures post-op were taken. So, I keep questioning myself, "I felt good then, why I can't I feel that good now??"

Honestly, I also go to PeopleOfWalmart.com and then I feel INCREDIBLE!!!

Losing 11 pounds in 6 days is GREAT!!! I wish I could do that!!!

Everybody loves dimples! Congrats on your progress!

The picture thing sounds like a good idea, I just might try that. Thanks!

I would also like to add that that website is moderately disturbing. Good find!

LOL Yes, but don't you feel like a supermodel??????

Good job losing the weight, the cute picture on the fridg is a good idea and dimples are very charming!!

And VS I struggle with this problem everyday, I could also use some advice, as I have no clue how to deal with it. There must be a book out there concerning this issue.

That seems dangerous rather than "great".

There is a book on it actually. I was anorexic for years in my teens and early 20s but never the super dangerous kind if that makes sense...It was never diagnosed because I always managed to stay right at almost low normal. Anyway..I've been eating healthy for years but gained 40 lbs on lithium making the body image more of an issue.

My therapist suggested I go get The Body Image Workbook by Thomas F. Cash PHD. I can't say if it works or not yet since we're working on chapter/step 1 this week lol. But it seems like a well thought out and put together book and my T says it works.

I think if you are focusing on your weight and body too much and don't want to, you have to step away and shift your focus to something else. If you enjoy spending your time working out, then that is okay but if you work out primarily for other reasons, then I would look at how well that is working for you and change what you are doing so all you do is enjoyable. If you don't enjoy your looks, then I would work on not looking for awhile :-)