My body is shrinking but I still have a "fat head."
I call it my "fat head" when I want to eat foods that I know aren't good choices or when I think I can skip the gym or take the elevator and not the stairs. Lately, I've noticed another way that my "fat head" shows up- I still make fat-related comments about myself now and then. I did this recently without thinking and someone who didn't know me when I was obese looked at me like I was insane. I wasn't being mean to myself, I was just being "factual" even though the facts have changed, I forget. I'm trying to work on growing my new "thin head" but it's a slow process. Does anyone have any advice on tricks, meditations, mantras, exercises or whatever worked to help develop that new reality-based view of themselves? I've been doing some yoga and using my hands on my new smaller body to help retrain my brain that I'm smaller and that's been helping a bit. Unfortunately, I still can't judge clothes that will fit me (I always pick ones that are too big to try on) and I always think I need more space to fit through or in since my spacial relationship is still based on my larger rather than my thinner self. I know it will get better with time but for those of you who are farther out what helped you? Thanks in advance. :)
You had surgery the same day as I did, and I have the same problem. I'll even pull something out of my closet and think, "that will never fit me!" but of course it does--many times with extra room. I did pretty well until I got down to just below 200 lbs, since I remembered what that was like and had clothes in my closet from that time. However, my "fat head" kinda got stuck at that weight, while my body continued losing.
Looking at photos does help, but I think it will just take time. I'm finding myself getting "lazy" with the good food and exercise choices as well. That's a constant battle now that I'm at a comfortable, healthy weight and still in the malabsorption phase. I really don't want to go back to bad habits.
I'm sorry I don't have a lot of advice--just wanted to know others are in the same boat with you!
Looking at photos does help, but I think it will just take time. I'm finding myself getting "lazy" with the good food and exercise choices as well. That's a constant battle now that I'm at a comfortable, healthy weight and still in the malabsorption phase. I really don't want to go back to bad habits.
I'm sorry I don't have a lot of advice--just wanted to know others are in the same boat with you!
I am over 6 years out and struggle with my fat head as well.
Bounceback made my fathead worse in all respects. I often feel huge, bloated, puffy..., if I could spend a day on my old body, I'm sure it would give me perspective. But really our perspective is skewed. some people like to tag the phrase body dysmorphia here but I feel that is overused. It's more about image and perspective. Much like a person who has 10 lbs to lose can feel as overrwhelmed as someone who has 150 lbs to lose. I get that now being on the low side.
I am more critical of my body now than I ever was at 290 lbs. I still relate more to large people than I do to the skinny person in the room.
The mind is a funny thing. The head issues are still the toughest with surgery.
Dawn
Bounceback made my fathead worse in all respects. I often feel huge, bloated, puffy..., if I could spend a day on my old body, I'm sure it would give me perspective. But really our perspective is skewed. some people like to tag the phrase body dysmorphia here but I feel that is overused. It's more about image and perspective. Much like a person who has 10 lbs to lose can feel as overrwhelmed as someone who has 150 lbs to lose. I get that now being on the low side.
I am more critical of my body now than I ever was at 290 lbs. I still relate more to large people than I do to the skinny person in the room.
The mind is a funny thing. The head issues are still the toughest with surgery.
Dawn
17+ years post op RNY. first year blog here or My LongTimer blog. Tummy Tuck Dr. Matic 2014 -Ohip funded panni Windsor WLS support group.message me anytime!
HW:290 LW:139 RW: 167 CW: 139
RNY on 05/21/12
Hahaha -I went to the store the other day in search for pants for work. I tried on 4 pairs all different sizes until I found that the smallest size fit me. I think I automatically grab a bigger size even though I'm shrinking. I also noticed I think I need more room to get by but alas I actually can squeeze behind people now. haha
I'm still far out from my goal and only 2 months in but 64lbs down total (Pre and post op total) sure is making things fit differently. I went through my closet yesterday and threw out all my "fat" clothes that I just can't wear anymore without looking like a bag lady. hahaha
Needless I think a lot of if not all of us have these moments where we are adjusting to our changes. I've been overweight my entire teen thru adult life. Hard to adjust to not shopping in Plus size section and now Misses. But WOW are the selections more vast!
I'm still far out from my goal and only 2 months in but 64lbs down total (Pre and post op total) sure is making things fit differently. I went through my closet yesterday and threw out all my "fat" clothes that I just can't wear anymore without looking like a bag lady. hahaha
Needless I think a lot of if not all of us have these moments where we are adjusting to our changes. I've been overweight my entire teen thru adult life. Hard to adjust to not shopping in Plus size section and now Misses. But WOW are the selections more vast!
Loved reading your post. I am 3 years out and still feel this way! for instance i grabbed and bought an xl pair of shorts at walmart- I do not wear nor have I worn in quite a long while an XL! lol and i refer to myself as big ect to ppl that dont know me too and you can see in their face they are thinking what. the. hell. are. you. talking. about?!?! and I feel bad instantly because they dont know and I think oh shoot I bet they think im making fun of THEM!- crazy how your mind doesnt catch up to this new body.-lisa