Fat Boy Complex

[mmiszlay]

I was wondering how someone can get rid of the fat boy/girl complex.

I went from 280 lbs. to my current 170 ish, but I still see myself as being overweight. I know that I am not, but I cannot help but see myself at my old body image.

If there is any tips or advice to help beat this, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Vaylor]

I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist. He/She would be able to help improve your mental state far more then anyone here could.

[TheAesir]

I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist. He/She would be able to help improve your mental state far more then anyone here could.

That's not necessary at all. I've asked this same question not a week ago to miscers who've lost 100+lbs and they all said it sticks around for a bit but eventually you get used to who you are now.

Hope the helps OP

[dmacdonal9]

I was wondering how someone can get rid of the fat boy/girl complex.

I went from 280 lbs. to my current 170 ish, but I still see myself as being overweight. I know that I am not, but I cannot help but see myself at my old body image.

If there is any tips or advice to help beat this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Well, what does "overweight" mean to you? There's a lot of different ways to define that. Nail down the specifics of your own definition so you can make a clearer judgement.

I think this is what drives a lot of us to strive for low bodyfat levels, thinking we're fat until we've absolutely no visible fat left. That's a ****ty definition.

[ThySparticus]

I was wondering how someone can get rid of the fat boy/girl complex.

I went from 280 lbs. to my current 170 ish, but I still see myself as being overweight. I know that I am not, but I cannot help but see myself at my old body image.

If there is any tips or advice to help beat this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Other than time, the best thing you can do is keep interacting with people. It'll suck at first but then it becomes easier. My last piece of advice would be to stop overanalyzing everything you do. In theory analyzing every aspect of our lives might seem a great idea to get rid of "flaws" but in reality it does nothing but waste your time and promote giving too many fcks.

You did an awesome job bro, let your accomplishment stand for yourself and not something measured by how people might see you.

[mmiszlay]

Thanks for the input everyone. I know this has to be a problem for a lot of people and knowing how to deal with this can be very helpful.

[th3pwn3r]

I was wondering how someone can get rid of the fat boy/girl complex.

I went from 280 lbs. to my current 170 ish, but I still see myself as being overweight. I know that I am not, but I cannot help but see myself at my old body image.

If there is any tips or advice to help beat this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Overweight or not that's not even important. Not too many of us care about weight as much as a look. Maybe if you got very lean you'd get rid of your complex.

[KobiDC]

Once you start getting compliments about your transformation you'll most likely ease out of your complex. Don't worry about it so much, it'll come in time.

[scohen158]

I understand where you're coming from you will always see and focus in on your imperfections my suggestion get out hang out with friends and you'll start to realize you are in better shape than 9 out of 10 people out there and you will get used to being treated differently. I know as someone coming from a bit over 300 lbs to where I am now the difference is huge not just random people but people you work with etc. You're noticeable leaner than I am you look good I hope to look close to that when I get to 165-170 and will then start planning my slow bulk.

[MoldyGopher]

It takes a while. For whatever reason I find my brain/mental self-image lags behind my body quite a bit.

After a while, the day to day feelings 'fat boy' feelings will fade. This will make things easier, but you always need to be on guard for the occasional flare ups.

Generally I find that doing things that used to generate anxiety when I was overweight take the longest to 'fix'. For instance, I got on a plane six months ago and I nearly had an anxiety attack - I haven't been on one since I was morbidly obese and even though I *knew* I was going to fit into a seat I still had the elevated pulse, adrenaline dumping, self-shaming feelings coming back in force. It lasted long after I was sitting in my seat with the belt buckled. (The last time I was on a plane I had the indignity of the 'extra belt required' to buckle.)

Also I still get flashes when trying to 'squeeze through' places and especially between people.

[vismal]

Also OP, remember you are on BB.com. Plenty people on here post pics, are told BF is high and they should cut. In the bodybuilding world this might be sound advice but remember in the real world that same person is probably in better shape then 90% of the country. Keep things in perspective.

[Electricheadd]

Also OP, remember you are on BB.com. Plenty people on here post pics, are told BF is high and they should cut. In the bodybuilding world this might be sound advice but remember in the real world that same person is probably in better shape then 90% of the country. Keep things in perspective.

^^Strong This

A bodybuilder at 15-20% body fat is considered out of shape. Among the normal population that is considered healthy and fit. Even among athletes in other sports, 15% pretty standard fair if you look at Football/Baseball/Basketball/Soccer. (Wrestlers/Boxers/MMA are different due to weight classes)

[Ghost1th3dark]

I was fat for most of my life. If you're like me, you see fat stages of life as a really weak point in your life and any/all bodyfat you see reminds you of when you weren't in as good of shape as you are now. I, for the longest time, only saw my flaws. What I do suggest to you though is to compile pictures, say one every few weeks. Don't look at them. Just take your picture and leave it alone. Down the road, say four months or so, maybe even more, look at those pictures start to finish and as long as you keep on Target with you macros and lifting I promise you you'll get a bit of an ego boost

[mmiszlay]

I was fat for most of my life. If you're like me, you see fat stages of life as a really weak point in your life and any/all bodyfat you see reminds you of when you weren't in as good of shape as you are now. I, for the longest time, only saw my flaws. What I do suggest to you though is to compile pictures, say one every few weeks. Don't look at them. Just take your picture and leave it alone. Down the road, say four months or so, maybe even more, look at those pictures start to finish and as long as you keep on Target with you macros and lifting I promise you you'll get a bit of an ego boost

That's a great idea.

[joeltcyp]

She would be able to help improve your mental state far more then anyone here could.

[MrM27]

OP. I honestly can relate to what you are saying. I see my imperfections all the time and have trouble focusing on the progress I've made more than anything. I have my wife at home who tells me I'm an idiot and tells me to not obsess about it every time I start talking like that and knocks some sense into me.

There were some great responses in this thread man. Repped a few people.

[madhessian]

Everyday just do something you know you couldn't do when you were heavier. Run/walk a faster, longer distance. Lift a weight you couldn't back when you started out. Look in the mirror and revel in what you've accomplished, Breathe in deeply, enjoy the simple act of being able to tie your shoes without straining to bend. Accept, and learn to enjoy, the compliments from people, that knew you before you got into shape. Know that everyone that meets you for the first time, never knew the heavy, out of shape person, you were. Forgive yourself for your caloric sins of the past, and learn to like yourself again. Remember, don't always dwell on how far you have to go, think about how far you've come.