You just don't realize how bad you look until you get your picture took!

[Gudl1fe]

So girls night out comes around every few months, and of course it always includes a nice meal out somewhere....last night, The Melting Pot. So after we finished eating our great waitress asked us all to gather around and take a group photo. A picture, of all of us, I thought, Oh no, I hate pictures! .....so I decided well it's almost time for my surgery and what the heck, take the damn picture and don’t gripe!
So Lisa (our waitress) takes the camera to the back and prints the photo....I was mortified!! Who the hell is the fat lady in the green shirt!! That is not me....really? Come on someone added that lady! See here’s the thing about pictures, whenever I’m in one I’m replaced with this heavy woman. It is NEVER the real me in that photo! That person is so huge!
It’s so strange but when I look at myself in the mirror, or look down at myself that is not the person I see. I still see the younger, fit, happy, athletic person. I really don't know why I doubt who is in that photo, or maybe I'm in denial about how I've really let myself go, seeing that picture lets me know why I really need to do this, to get back to myself, the fit, happy , athletic self....although my youth has split! My body has slowed down, I can't do the simple things that used to come so easy to me, I acknowledge I'm heavy to all my friends and family but that is just not who I see. Just wondering, who do you see in the mirror…..is it the same person you see in the pictures?? .

[Harley Granny]

I have my "come to Jesus meeting" picture on my fridge. I don't know if I'm ready yet to take another. I was just horrified to see myself looking like that.

I might so a side by side in another 10 lbs or so.

[Gudl1fe]

I guess you could say that's my come to Jesus picture too!!

I have my "come to Jesus meeting" picture on my fridge. I don't know if I'm ready yet to take another. I was just horrified to see myself looking like that.

I might so a side by side in another 10 lbs or so.

[Ronnie]

Well I can certainly understand not seeing yourself. I was humiliated and my heart sunk and I got so embarrassed when i saw photos of myself. I avoided the camera for so many years, that i had to dig to find some before photos... i was that good at avoidance. Funny thing is now.... I don't recognize the woman in the photo either.... but in a good way... she looks good... but you will find it is the same adjustment on the other side of the gastric rainbow. but it is so much better to be like... wow, that is me... hey not too shabby... then before with the awful shame and humiliation and thinking... how can my husband love that beast...my children must be embarrassed by me...my employer must be concerned about company image because i am the face of the company... my clients must look at me with disgust and think how can we trust our business with her when she has no self-control...oh God don't let me get the airplane seat next to that woman...oh the list goes on.... but now, the camera... i like it, i like seeing the pics now... i feel like i am making everyone proud now. I am not proud though.. funny... i feel relieved... Forge forward, the peace and self respect that comes with this is priceless!!! best wishes to you...

[carolynodien]

I always described myself as a "Reverse Anorexic"...just because as an anorexic looks in the mirror and sees a fat body, I was fat and always saw a skinny girl in the mirror! BUT photos were something else! I couldn't believe that I actually looked like that, but when the scale read 260, and the photos proved it, I had to rethink what I was doing to myself! Good luck! I know I did the absolute right thing for me!

[Gudl1fe]

Thanks so much for the kind words.....It's amazing how all of us come from different backgrounds and have similar feelings about the image we present....I'm pround of how far you have come and I know you are....be looking for my after picture in about 12 months!

Well I can certainly understand not seeing yourself. I was humiliated and my heart sunk and I got so embarrassed when i saw photos of myself.

[Gudl1fe]

Funny how just a little picture changes everything! You look fantastic!

I always described myself as a "Reverse Anorexic"...just because as an anorexic looks in the mirror and sees a fat body, I was fat and always saw a skinny girl in the mirror! BUT photos were something else! I couldn't believe that I actually looked like that, but when the scale read 260, and the photos proved it, I had to rethink what I was doing to myself! Good luck! I know I did the absolute right thing for me!

[Ronnie]

Sonya, your surgery is just around the corner. I remember when my time was coming. I was so relieved. You will be thrilled. No really any pain... but you will be tired. Take very good care of yourself and do exactly what the doc tells you to do. The mental adjustment is just as hard as the physical...you have to adjust to life without food as a coping mechanism and best friend (well I did anyway). Now I love going out to eat and not even ordering... I just take a little form my hubby's plate, a little from my daughter's plate, and whala.. a full meal for me! I eat like a skinny girl now .... you will too. I am so happy for you. I am heading to Mexico Sept. 1 for skin removal surgeries. Getting arms and tummy done first. What a journey this has been! I wish you the very best and I know a year from now, you will be feeling and looking amazing... I will be on the lookout for your updates . Be well and peace and blessings to you.

[mellymel]

You are NOT alone my dear! I never have liked to be in pictures because how I see myself in my head is never how I see things with pictures. But I am now using that picture I think of as my goal. Then take actual pictures as a measure of progress since the procedure. Now people tell me I'm doing great but I do not see it because I still have so much to lose.so basically whatever it is we see or other people see what pictures can tell us if there is a way we want to look or feel it all starts with a vision whether perceived or reality but after the weight starts to come off prepare yourself to focus on how you feel not how you look! Good luck with your journey! Be healthy become the person outside how you are on the inside :-)

[Gudl1fe]

Thanks so much! I am definitely going to enjoy eating like a skinny girl! Good luck with your surgery....ill make sure to say a healing prayer for you!

Now I love going out to eat and not even ordering... I just take a little form my hubby's plate, a little from my daughter's plate, and whala.. a full meal for me! I eat like a skinny girl now .... you will too. I am so happy for you. I am heading to Mexico Sept. 1 for skin removal surgeries. Getting arms and tummy done first. What a journey this has been! I wish you the very best and I know a year from now, you will be feeling and looking amazing... I will be on the lookout for your updates . Be well and peace and blessings to you.

[Gudl1fe]

Thanks for the kind words! Ill take your advice to heart and focus on how I feel for a while....good luck reaching your final goal!

so basically whatever it is we see or other people see what pictures can tell us if there is a way we want to look or feel it all starts with a vision whether perceived or reality but after the weight starts to come off prepare yourself to focus on how you feel not how you look! Good luck with your journey! Be healthy become the person outside how you are on the inside :-)

[Ronnie]

Thank you for the prayers! I want any I can have! and I will do the same for you on your day!!! Lots of good MOJO too from New Orleans will be coming your way. when you go for your surgery, I will just have been home 2 days from mine, so we will recover together

[jactkb]

I am the same way. My picture of myself in my head is so much smaller than what I really am. They say the camera adds 10 lbs, but in my head it's more like 50.