topic Re: Body Dismorphia in Wellness

Body Dismorphia

I am still oxox — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:27:23 GMT

About 8 years ago I started Weight Watchers and lost about 80 lbs. I am 70 years old bottom heavy, always have been 5 feet tall and weight between 125 and 130. I look in the mirror and see a thinner version of myslef. But mentally I can not see my self that way. I still see a 20-22 not the size 12 I currently am. I have written about this before and it is very upsetting to me I am not sure how to deal with this

Re: Body Dismorphia

DSD2 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:39:19 GMT

First, congratulations on your amazing accomplishment. You have much to be proud of; all that hard work.

I understand your difficulty in seeing yourself in the here and now, seeing your reflection as it truly is. Memories can haunt and old images and slights linger. I believe sometimes we perceive ourselves through others eyes, who perhaps might not have been supportive of the way we have looked in the past. I can only offer that you try to see yourself through your own eyes. You are still the same person, but healthier and hopefully happier. In the end, it is the size of our heart that matters. God bless.

Re: Body Dismorphia

FranandZoe — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:49:51 GMT

How long have you been this weight/kept the weight off? Maybe you just need time to get used to your new self. If it's been awhile - like years - don't take this the wrong way but maybe talk to a pro - a therapist.

Congrrats on the weight loss by the way!

Re: Body Dismorphia

ajsidney12 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:13:06 GMT

Good for you taking your health into your own hands! However, I am concerned about the body dysmorphia and there are more steps still to be taken toward bettering your mental health. This is a very serious medical condition, and you should speak to your doctor directly about it as soon as possible and see if they can offer additional services for counseling related to the disease, which may include speaking to a certified nutritionist or therapist. It is not an uncommon mental health disease, but still should be taken very seriously as this could impact your overall happiness and well-being, impacting your quality of life.

Re: Body Dismorphia

cindyNC — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:16:08 GMT

Just curious, but does Weight Watchers ever address anything like this in their meetings? It might be a good topic and there might be others also dealing with it.

Re: Body Dismorphia

ID2 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:45:47 GMT

I feel the same as the OP. My weight has flucuated my entire life. I'm up, I'm down. Abut 5 years ago I began to walk. Walking distance, at that time, was difficult. But as I continued walking, I started seeing my weight drop. That is when I began to eat better. Well here it is over 5 years and I've lost 75 lbs and have kept it off. Which is a remarkable feat for me! I still walk every day to keep the weight off. I am 71 and now take a small in clothes, or a size 8. I used to take a 16/XL. But I still see the fat girl that I was.

Re: Body Dismorphia

Franklinbell — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:21:45 GMT

Congratulations!! Losing weight is not an easy task! That is tremendous!!

I would ask my physician for a recommendation for someone to talk to. I believe you will get some answers and understanding.

You go Slenderella!! @I am still oxox

Re: Body Dismorphia

Franklinbell — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:22:19 GMT

@ID2 Congratulations to you also!! Nice job!!

Re: Body Dismorphia

I am still oxox — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:26:16 GMT

@Franklinbell wrote:
Congratulations!! Losing weight is not an easy task! That is tremendous!!

I would ask my physician for a recommendation for someone to talk to. I believe you will get some answers and understanding.

You go Slenderella!! @I am still oxox

@Franklinbell I have a therapist that I speak to weekly

Re: Body Dismorphia

kze — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:14:11 GMT

@I am still oxox

I'm sorry your therapist hasn't been able to help you with this. Would you consider changing therapists? I can see that not be the best especially if they have helped you in other ways.

Re: Body Dismorphia

I am still oxox — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:15:47 GMT

@kze wrote:
@I am still oxox

I'm sorry your therapist hasn't been able to help you with this. Would you consider changing therapists? I can see that not be the best especially if they have helped you in other ways.

@kze I have never disucssed this with her. She is great I have been with her for a year and we have built a great founation

Re: Body Dismorphia

Bonkers1 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:17:04 GMT

I think the same way you do feeling I look bigger than I am. I don't know if this true but someone told me once you are heavy you will always feel you look heavy even after a significant weight loss.

Re: Body Dismorphia

pdlinda — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:38:40 GMT

@Bonkers1 I lost 100 lbs 19 yrs ago and have kept it off (maybe lost a little) with strict guidelines that I impose upon myself to make sure I'm eating foods that fortify my health and keep my weight stable.

I've had occasion to mention my weight loss through the years and the usual comment is: "I can't believe you were ever overweight You look on the thin side."

When I look in the mirror, I don't see myself as "thin" but I accept how I look and NEVER, EVER say "Oh, I'd love to lose a few pounds."

For that reason, I have not weighed myself in 19 years because I KNOW what my eating behavior is and I KNOW from a lifetime of dieting that if that scale went UP or DOWN a few pounds I would be seeking out a "diet" to remedy the situation. I can tell my weight by trying on my clothes and seeing how they fit. That's what works for me!

Re: Body Dismorphia

Bonkers1 — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:48:58 GMT

@pdlinda

Same here I don't own a scale and use my clothes fit for reference.

Re: Body Dismorphia

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 10:51:56 GMT

@I am still oxox

You are to be congratulated on the dedication it took to lose he weight that you did. This was no easy thing. Body dismorphia is a very real thing. I suffer from it myself and I struggle with it and have for years. You know that you look good but you look in the mirror and somehow your mind and body don't seem to connect. It helped me somewhat to hang a set of my old clothing next to my new clothing and even trying the old clothing on and looking in the mirror and then the new. I kept doing this. Positive reinforcement from family and friends is very helpful. Have you looked on-line for support groups? This could also be very supportive.

Re: Body Dismorphia

Cakers3 — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 18:49:25 GMT

@I am still oxox

Since you have a healthy relationship with your therapist do bring up this concern with her.

It's normal for some to see only "flaws" but the concern is how much you are
thinking about this beyond looking in the mirror.

8 years is a long time. Usually BDD causes obsessive thinking and physical detachment from the brain to what is seen.

Your therapist is your way to navigate through this and a support group may be helpful. However try to get through the "why" with your therapist.

Just talking will be a tremendous help.

You will be ok.

Re: Body Dismorphia

I am still oxox — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 18:55:12 GMT

@Cakers3 wrote:
@I am still oxox

Since you have a healthy relationship with your therapist do bring up this concern with her.

It's normal for some to see only "flaws" but the concern is how much you are
thinking about this beyond looking in the mirror.

8 years is a long time. Usually BDD causes obsessive thinking and physical detachment from the brain to what is seen.

Your therapist is your way to navigate through this and a support group may be helpful. However try to get through the "why" with your therapist.

Just talking will be a tremendous help.

You will be ok.

@Cakers3 In all honesty I am starting with a new therapist the previus one was useless in addressing some issues

Re: Body Dismorphia

Cakers3 — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:00:13 GMT

@I am still oxox

I understand. Not everyone matches well with a therapist.

Just remember talk therapy will work if you keep an open mind.
A good therapist will see beyond the symptom and help you recover the "why".

You will be ok.

Good luck.

Re: Body Dismorphia

I am still oxox — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 20:43:49 GMT

@Cakers3 wrote:
@I am still oxox

I understand. Not everyone matches well with a therapist.

Just remember talk therapy will work if you keep an open mind.
A good therapist will see beyond the symptom and help you recover the "why".

You will be ok.

Good luck.

@Cakers3 Thank you for your kindness

Re: Body Dismorphia

Cakers3 — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 23:56:27 GMT

@I am still oxox

You're welcome.
Be well.