The FastDay Forum

I've been maintaining now for about half a year without problems. My wife have been complaining a little about me being too skinny though.

I mostly ignored her objections since I can't see much of a problem with a BMI around 20 and body fat around 11-13 %, and as far as I could see my body actually looked just great in the mirror.

I stopped exercising when going into maintenance, I couldn't find much incentive without the need for weight and fat loss. 5:2 and low carb was more than enough to keep everything in check.

But my wife have a tougher time with her weight control, and started going to the gym recently. To support her I agreed to start going as well, a good thing for both of us I figured.

At the gym I noticed I looked very different in those big mirrors from a distance than at home, and actually yes.., perhaps I actually looked a bit skinny.

At home I asked her to take pictures of me in my underwear from the front, side and back. And yes, she was more than right, I look horrible.

My thighs are terrifyingly skinny, like I was some anorectic, and that butt looks truly geriatric.

Yes, now I know the truth, and even so.., it's still impossible for me to see the same thing in the mirror as in those photos (I will never show them to you). In the mirror I see a fit person, at photos a cancer patient, a labour camp prisoner. I guess I have to trust the photos, it goes more in line with what people have told me.

So, I have to do something about this. There will be no running, no cardio. Daily weight lifting, a lot more food.

Conclusion, if you have any interest in your physical appearance, don't base your diet and exercise decisions on what you see in the mirror. Get some photos taken and get an idea what you're presenting to the rest of the world.

What a good post.

On a much less dramatic note I was trying to choose between some clothes in a shop recently and after taking photos of myself (in the mirror) the choice became obvious.

This IS a great post Michael,like Sian said...nothing that i personally need to worry about yet,with many lbs still to lose,but food for thought,and as so many of us have the facility these days to take instant photographs,easy to put into practice
Just to acknowledge the upside of yr post,Well done M on yr loss and maintenance of it x thats quite a feat maintaining successfully for such along time

Thank you Michael, I do believe we need to watch out for obsessing about being too thin, as you say you didn't see the reality. We need to listen to our loved ones and people who voice genuine concern. I do think the BMI is probable reasonable enough guide as to healthy parameters

Congrats Michael on achieving your weight goal, I understand too about the diff in viewing one self in the mirror vs photos others have take of us from different perspectives etc. I get occasional comments from family about the change in my appearance. I remind myself that part of it is the fact that I just dont look the same as I did for yrs and yrs. Also, in my case, there is the paradox that losing weight has not made me look younger, but I accept it as a price to pay for being healthier.

Also, in my case, there is the paradox that losing weight has not made me look younger, but I accept it as a price to pay for being healthier.

Same here, I can't say I look younger, that sagging skin under my chin makes me look ten years above my age. For a while I tried hiding it under a beard, which of course did the job, and made me look even older and very sinister - like a grumpy old man. But hey, the feeling of being healthy, agile and fit is well worth it.

Excellent point Michael! It worked the opposite way for me. I went out to a function thinking I looked OK and got a dreadful shock the next day when I saw my photo with someone resembling my granny looking back! That was the point when I decided I needed action!

Well done with maintaining. I'm sure you can soon bulk up any saggy bits with a few weights. The main thing is feeling healthy and energetic then you can easily tackle any sculpting problems.

I like this thread. I've lost 10 kg over the last 12 months. My BMI is currently 21. When it comes so judging my appearance I'm all over the place.

I was in a video conference meeting recently & the camera was on self view for a while. I saw myself next to a colleague who I regard a slim & I was shocked to see that I looked a lot leaner in the face than him.

When I see my reflection as I walk along outside I'm surprised at how long & leggy I look (184 cm 73 kg).

When I look at myself in the mirror I see I have a bit of a geriatric butt happening (i.e. Mr Burns from the Simpsons). My gut still sticks out just below the belly button. I'd like to lose that & see some ab definition there. It seems this is my 'fattest' area. I'd like to get to 68 & maintain 68-69kg. This is comfortably in health BMI range. I think I'd be OK with what I see in the mirror but on videos & photos next to people I know it may be disconcerting. My wife doesn't like the sound of 68, that's for sure.

I have yet to brave any photo's - I always manage to avoid, or be at the back of any photographs and definitely avoid 'selfies' . After reading this thread maybe I should have a go although so far no one has said I've gone too far (have lost 25lbs) and been maintaining nearly nine months.

Congratulations on your progress @Stephen. Don't mean to be rude but are you exercising, or doing the right exercise to get closer to the look you are aiming for? Maybe some toning/core/strength exercises may worth a go.

I do exercise, but not toning/core strength. I cycle between 70 - 120 kms per week. Most of my riding is in office clothes so I keep the intensity moderate (though still quite fast as I've built up good fitness).

Just the other day I did some push ups for the first time in ages. I had muscle soreness in my chest & abs from doing that so it obviously worked the abs somehow. I'll try to get into a regular push up + other at home strength work routine. Thanks for the suggestion I'll use it to keep honest, hopefully.