A couple years back, one of my Rebels told a story about walking up to a glass door at the store and seeing someone else waiting to come out.

“Excuse me,” she said to this other person…only to realize the “other person” she saw was her own reflection.

She’d lost so much weight that she didn’t recognize herself!

So why does this happen? Why do we lose weight but still see ourselves as fat?

It’s actually pretty simple: Our brains are still used to seeing us at that bigger size. In fact, your brain expects it.

See, if you’ve had a weight problem for years, your brain gets used to seeing you at a certain size, every day, for YEARS.

So when you lose weight, your brain’s gotta get used to seeing the new you.

This is one reason I encourage people on my program to take measurements and try on different clothing sizes. It’s because the number on the scale isn’t the whole story. It also doesn’t help your brain adjust to the new you.

Measurements and clothes give your brain evidence that your body is changing. It’s less jarring for it–for YOU–when you give it that evidence during your weight loss journey.

This phenomenon is also why people in your life may tell you that you’re too skinny and you need to be done losing weight.

They’re used to seeing you at your bigger size, too, and like your brain, their brains need time to adjust.

It does NOT mean you’re “too skinny.” It means that compared to the size you used to be, your new size is uncomfortably “skinny” for THEM. (Recognize that’s what’s going on and don’t let it get under your skin.)

So how do you handle it when you still see the fat you when you look in the mirror?

1. Give it time. It took time for your brain to see bigger you all the time. It also takes time for bigger you to stop being what you see.

2. Give it evidence. Take measurements and try on smaller clothes. Also try on the clothes you’ve shrunk out of and see how baggy they are now.

3. Give yourself grace. Adjusting to your new size is exactly that–an adjustment, and it doesn’t happen overnight.

If you struggle with still seeing yourself as fat, please know there’s nothing wrong with you. It’s COMPLETELY normal and can happen whether you lose 25 pounds or 250 pounds. (I’ve seen it in Rebels of all sizes.)

Give it time, give it evidence, and give yourself grace. The longer you’re at your new size, the more your brain will adjust!

For more help adjusting to your new size, click here to check out the Loving The New You online course.