When is it enough?

[wendybdh]

This thread is extremely helpful and insightful.

I've lost 55 pounds since I had my daughter 1 year ago (gained 35 with pregnancy) and I think you do still tend to see yourself as being heavier even when you do lose the weight. For example, I tend to try on larger clothes because that's what always fit me in the past. But, at times I look in the mirror and I think that I don't look too bad and other times I can only focus on what I need to work on.
I'm finally at my goal weight but I'm so used to always trying to lose weight that it's a strange mental adjustment. So, I do think that we get a distorted body image and I wish there was a magical way that we could all just be happy with who we are but I guess we've become a culture where we always want something more than what we have.

 

[wendybdh]

Oh, I forgot to add, BIG CONGRATS ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS!!!!!

 

[FiddleFit]

This is a great discussion; something I've struggled with myself. I think part of the problem is that we live in a society where we are constantly being bombarded with messages that you're never doing enough. Granted, there's a substantial portion of the population that does need to get moving more and clean up their eating, so these messages are important. But, those of us who are doing fine are still hearing those messages. I don't ever see any messages out there saying "Hey, if you're looking good and feeling good, you're doing great!" There's those Dove commercials, which are wonderful, and I'd love to see more of that kind of stuff.

A few years ago I lost 72 pounds with WW and Cathe and made my goal weight. I still remember driving past a sign that said something to the effect of "Lose 10 pounds in 10 days!" It was a moment of delicious victory when I was able to look at that sign and say "No! I don't need to!" For the first time in my life, I overtly rejected the implication that I was overweight and unacceptable.

There is definitely a large shift in thinking required when you go from attempting to reach a healthy weight, to attempting to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Sandra

 

[crazystepr]

This is how my eating disorder began years ago. I wasn't able to find a point when I was "done" losing weight and so I just kept going. It's so sad how we are never happy or content with our bodies and ourselves.
Your body will tell you when it's at a comfortable point and doesn't want to get any thinner. Listen to it and listen to yourself. When "the scale won't budge" is often when you should stop forcing it to.
You've accomplished something huge by losing 59 pounds. Try not to focus so much on what's left to lose, but praise yourself for losing as much as you did. Just, please--try not to nitpick at your body. It has done and will continue to do amazing things. Don't beat it down to the point where you're not healthy anymore and consumed by constant thoughts of losing "those last three pounds." Maybe you're not supposed to....