What will I look like?

[Stegmanco]

So a journey of 180lbs starts with one step...blah blah blah. As I am motivated more than I have ever been to lose weight, I have started the daydream of what I would look like. However I am in a weird situation as I didn't gain all at once or after my metabolism slowed, or after I started college...I have just always been the fat kid, and now the fat Dad of two.

Does anyone else get a bit of anxiety about what they will look like when they have no memory of what they looked like at their goal weight? I think I was in 9th grade when I weighed as much as my goal weight. I am at least 4 inches taller than I was then, I have facial hair and puberty is definitely past. So I often think what will I look like?

[SunsetRunner]

@Stegmanco
You raise a good question. I've lost 60 lbs over the last 12 months. This journey has been slow but steady. The last time I went shopping, I purchased size 12 jeans. As I walked out of the fitting room, the panic attack I felt must have shown on my face because because the sales woman asked if everything was ok. I got myself together and told her I was fine. She asked if the jeans fit. I nodded yes. She asked why I looked so surprised. I replied I had not worn a size 12 since 1968. You ask a very good question. I'm not afraid to admit I still do not always recognize the person in the mirror and in photos. And it took some counseling to get to this point, but I am finally getting comfortable with what I see.

Congratulations on the start of your journey to better health! You can do this. We are here for you.

[KimRH]

I'm 80lbs down and I still will think certain jeans won't fit, or I will pass a mirror and have to stop and look again. You have to reintroduce yourself to yourself! Shopping gets strange when you take the wrong size into the dressing room and it falls off! I get a bit of a panic attack when I think about being that big again, so I try to stay on goal--I have a bit more to go--almost there.

[Inga · Accepted solution]

have any of you tried http://www.modelmydiet.com/

I have used it and it is surprisingly accurate.

[Stegmanco]

Well as a male, loosing the 180lbs I end up looking like one heck of a youthful woman ; )

[Stegmanco]

Sorry, I see the male portion now too, this is awesome!

[Inga]

fun, eh?

[chunt]

that moidelmydiet is pretty darn cool

[steff]

Thanks for model my diet.  It's pretty cool.  Unfortunately, it didn't say that I would magically get an hourglass figure no matter what weight I put in! 

[Gabigirl]

I just started with fitbit about 2 weeks ago. I have been battling this battle for a long time. I wasn't the fat kid, but I was and am the fat adult! LOL I started a boot camp back in 2010 when I was at my then highest of 395. I since gained and got to 424 last April. My problem is sugar, I am an addict. It took a lot of time but I learned to love me now and I think because of that, my vision of me is not the same me I see in the mirror. I don't see that same fat woman. I see a smaller version, maybe not a skinny version but definitely smaller. Skinny is relative anyway. For me getting to 200 would be my skinny!!!!

Like many here, I have a story, mine is just not one of pain or abuse or a lot of those seemingly pathetic things that the weight loss shows like to portray. Please forgive me, I am not trying to fat shame or be rude in any way. I am just fat, I like food. Yes, I did suffer from depression and even suicide but there was more to it. It took a very long time to learn to love me and figure out who I was as well as accept me just as I was. Trying to lose weight so that I could love me just left me lost and lonely. I live a different life now. I see that woman that I want to be, I see her every day. Sure, it is located in my mind, but it isn't that far away. I keep that mental picture right up front. I have no clue if this is making any sense. LOL...I am just typing my thoughts away!

Spoiler

[KimRH]

Just hang in there--you have the right path in your head and that is where it has to start! Took me forever to get my head right---I love food too, and it's hard to give up something you love. I was where you are looking for her in the mirror and I can finally see her---you will too! Keep strong!

[Mycal]

Ok... maybe I'm just blind but I can't see the 'male' model anywhere on modelmydiet.com

[Stegmanco]

It's on the very top right hand portion of the page.