Half way to goal...but having body image issues

[Gretabee]

I have lost 46 pounds. I am about half way to my "goal" weight. Let me start by saying I am happy, proud, and excited I have come this far! I have achieved a lot of personal goals in the past few weeks/months. I started C25k in January and completed the program with no issues!

Last weekend, I participated in a half marathon (I ran the first 6.2 miles and walked the rest of the way). I never thought I would be able to run, let alone run 6 miles! I'm also really happy to be down a few clothing sizes, and overall I'm just happy with my progress.

BUT...some body image issues have started to pop up. A professional photographer was at the half marathon last weekend. Honestly, before I saw my pictures, I was feeling pretty good about my body and my weight loss progress. Now, when I see the pictues, all I see is a fat person who still needs to lose weight. I know I am only half way to my goal, and I am realistic. I know I have more work to do. But I wasn't expecting to feel the way I do. For the past week, I have also been struggling with food. I think I'm doing a bit of a self-sabotage, and I know I need to knock it off! I am determined not to gain back what I've already worked so had to lose! But I'm really struggling to get my head back in the game.

I  was just wondering if anyone else has gone through this?  Any advice for how to deal with self-esteem and body image issues? I guess I just need a little encouragement. 

[Anna]

First of all Gretabee well done on your weight loss, it sounds as though you have done a great job at a sensible pace. 

But what I really wanted to let you know is that no-one, not one single person, looks good caught on camera when they are running/exercising. I have seen a number of my race photographs and believe me it's never been flattering, it's always a shock to me because I think I have a pretty realistic view of how I look and these photos are not it! So, over the years I have tended to have a quick look at the professional photos, dismiss them and enjoy more the ones my family have taken of me with a finisher's medal or just before/after the race. 

I imagine that you have a pretty good idea of how you will look when you reach your weight loss goal, and it might have been just a teeny bit disappointing not to be looking like that already, but you have done so well so far and as you say seen a drop in your clothing size, so you know you are on your way and bumps in the road (like this) need to be crossed and then onward and upward. Maybe there's a half marathon in your future where you run even further than you did in this one; maybe there is another size in clothes to be lost -- don't let this temporary blip get in your way. Even if you stray from your path of good eating and exercising don't give up, dive in again and off you go!

Good luck. Very impressive what you've achieved so far! 

[gerrymcd]

Actually you shouldn't feel too bad.  How we look in photos depends on a number of factors, for example lighting, the focal length of the lens and the distance between the photographer and the subject.  At an event like a race the photographer is rarely in the best position to chose a 'flattering' lens...... its all about recording the moment.