chaly
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
Jan 11, 2014
Why is it that so many of us have an altered sense of what we truly look like as we loose the excess weight? Just today my husband and I were talking about this. Then tonight I get on the forum to see a post talking about body dysmorphia. Will we ever be able to look at ourselves in the mirror and see who we truly are?
I have had a hard time seeing myself, and the changes that my body has gone through. I look down and see the overly huge stomach, the thunder thighs, and I can turn in the mirror to see the bubble butt. That is what I see as I look into the mirror everyday. If I were honest, I also see the wrinkles in my face that have just started popping up, the wrinkles on my butt, the stretch marks on my belly taking on a whole new look, and the thighs that have begun to wrinkle in a downward circle pattern. So, I guess I would have to say that yes, I do see the changes, but my brain is not allowing me to take in the changes.
About a week ago my husband took a picture of me as I wanted to get my daughters opinion on a pair of glasses that I was thinking about purchasing. When I looked at the picture I was floored over the sight that I saw in the picture. It was a woman that had lost a ton of weight. Her upper body was super thin. That person had my face. Could it really be me? It was. Why is it that it takes a picture to put our brains in the place to accept what we look like?
Well, last night my husband and I went out on date night. My husband being the weight he was had been unable to go to the movies. Due to his weight loss we went to the movies for the first time in 15 years. After the movies we went to Red Lobster. We asked for a table, which has been our norm, as he has not fit into a booth for about the same amount of time. The hostess messed up and took us to a booth. My honey decided to give it a try. After pulling the table my way a bit we both sat comfortably in a booth. Another first in many years. I decided to take a picture of him in the booth. Once I took the picture I looked at it for several minutes. Although I have seen his progress, and know how "thin" he is becoming, it took a picture once again to concrete it into my brain what he truly looks like.
I guess I could accept this if it was something that I was having trouble seeing in myself, but to not see it in him. I guess being so close it may have given me tunnel vision. It is either that or the old cliche' that the camera adds 10 pounds is wrong.
