Suffering from Negative Body Images

I am in constant battle with myself and my body. In my head I have always been a size 16. I was close to 250 lbs but in my head I was a size 16 but really I was a size 22. Even today, I have lost a little over 80 lbs, I find myself looking at plus size clothing. Especially, if I am shopping alone. My weight loss to me always has been and probably always will be a number on the scale. I am proud of my accomplishments and how healthy I become but I just don't see myself as other see me. When I look in the mirror I see myself still as an overweight person. The only time I see myself as thin is in picture comparisons. I am not alone in my struggles of negative body image.

Shepphird (2010) highlights three core elements associated with body image which includes the following: the way one sees oneself when looking in the mirror, the mental picture one has of one's body and attitude one has towards one's body such as perceptions, feelings and beliefs.

Usually people who suffer from distorted body image also suffer from eating disorders. I can say I am lucky and do not have an eating disorder. I don't have the will power to not eat. However, when I look in the mirror and see a fat person or I feel fat, I will push myself even harder to be active. If I don't I become very depressed. When I feel myself falling into this pattern I rely on some close friends who have helped me to see myself for me. They remind me of the positive things about myself. There is no such thing as a perfect body and we need to love the fact that God made us perfect in His image.

Reference:
Shepphird, S. (2010) 100 Questions & Answers About Anorexia Nervosa Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett