Bad body image......

[Beautiful Disaster]

I have never in my life struggled with a poor body image.....nor have I struggled with weight. This year, I turned 26. When I was 24 and 25 I was underweight although I ate plenty, I had a lot of stress and couldn't keep myself at a healthy weight. I made some life changes (got rid of the stress = ex, and new job) and since I started this new job (and new man) in April, I have gained 8 lbs. Ok.....so I'm 5'4'' and currently weigh about 124. My size 5's are tight, and I feel like I have a lot of belly fat. I can hardly wear any of my pants. I feel out of shape and uncomfortable. When I look at myself I see cellulite (which I've always had on my legs but seems worse now) and fat. Realistically, I tell myself "You are 124 lbs.....you are in no way overweight.." but my mind tells my differently. I'm trying hard to live a healthy lifestyle, eating the right foods, exercising, but it seems like I continue to be 124 no matter what I do therefore I continue to be uncomfortable.

As I said, I've never struggled with anything like this and I don't like it at all. I don't know what to do to make myself feel better about the way I am right now. I want my flat tummy back, I want to comfortably wear my clothes again. And oddly enough, for the first time ever I'm with someone that loves me just the way I am. He thinks I'm beautiful and loves my body......and for the first time ever, I do not feel the same way.

Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions or words of wisdom?

[CrystalChord]

You're perfectly fine. I wish I could fit into even size ten jeans, hon! I think that gaining a little weight was good for you, but I'm not you.

I've experienced this so many times. I am comfortable being the way I am now (sort of), but when I first went to college I couldn't stand myself. Most of my peers were thin, plus the Freshman 15 hit me hard as a brick, so I could barely squeeze into my clothes most of the time. It was terrible. Faith helped me, but that doesn't work for everyone (I know a lot of atheists, so...)

5'2 and 124 is perfectly fine.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

It's what you "were" accustomed to... It's what you knew.

Comfort. You finally felt comfortable with someone, and life and so you allowed yourself to be more free. And, bonus of it all, is the man your with loves the curves.

Curves are actually in now read the tabloids, models, actresses have had enough of yo yo dieting and not "living"...

The only reason you feel like you do, is because your trying to fit into the wrong clothes, the old ones, the old you.

Go buy size 6.. Don't feel that your not beautiful.... I bet once you put on your new jeans you will feel just as beautiful as you did before.

CW

[Beautiful Disaster]

I remember when I lost weight one time and got skinnier than I ever had been, and I was quite uncomfortable with that too. I felt too skinny, ugly, unhealthy looking. Perhaps changes to my body are hard on me. AHhhh, pregnancy will be rough. And aging too! haha! Now that my hormones have settled down a bit I don't feel like I described above. I felt really miserable there for a while. But yes, you're right.....whether I'm a size 6 or a size 2, I have to learn to embrace what I am and love myself regardless. Thanks again!