Don’t recognize myself after weight loss
 

Recently I have lost 81 pounds after being very overweight my entire adult life. I am now 44 years old and have been between a size 16-20 since I was 20 years old. I am now an 8. I look and feel amazing however I’m struggling a little with feeling out of place in this body. Or as if it’s not really me anymore because I don’t recognize any part of myself. I am definitely happier but this strange unfamiliarity is bothering me a lot. I feel almost like an alien inhabiting a new body and I don’t know how to handle that feeling. I find myself randomly touching parts of my body like my arms or my shoulders and it feels so bizarre because now I feel bones where I’ve never felt them before. Has anyone else ever struggled with this sort of feeling from weight loss or am I alone?

Re: Don’t recognize myself after weight loss
 

I have not struggled with what you describe- but wanted to say congratulations! I am sure you will get used to this new "you" pretty quickly! Go buy yourself new clothes and do something special for yourself- you earned this! Congratulations!

Re: Don’t recognize myself after weight loss
 

I lost 68 lbs a year ago. I too had been overweight since I was a teenager, wearing at least a size 14 to 18 through the years since then. I understand how you feel exactly! I am now a size Small or 4-6 depending on the clothes. I still find myself not used to feeling bones where I never did before, and when I see myself in the mirror or in current photos sometimes I don’t feel like its me.
However, I feel so much better, physically and emotionally. I figure that I’ll get used to it eventually LOL .
Congratulations on your weight loss!!

Carol

Re: Don’t recognize myself after weight loss
 

Congratulations. Loosing a big amount of weight as you did can be hard on your body. You have lived with it for so long, it feels like you lost a part of yourself. It takes time to get used to it and learn to love it. Be proud and accept it. Go shopping for new outfits and show it off.