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Oxymoron's avatar

Why do I feel self concious about myself?

Asked by Oxymoron (1239points) December 11th, 2009

I’ve always been self concious about my weight and the way I look. Unfortunately, I find it getting worse rather than better, and I’ve lost a considerable amount of weight. I’m a size 8 and I think I’m still huge. Is there anything I can do myself to make it better? Is being a size 8, 5’7” woman fat?

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19 Answers

SirGoofy's avatar

Are you kidding??? No…you’re just fine…relax and don’t be so hard yourself! Life goes by way too fast. Just exercise daily, eat right and stay away from carbs. If it’s really bothering you…go have your thyroid levels checked. Best of luck to you!

chyna's avatar

A size 8 for 5’7 is below average. You are just fine the way you are.

global_nomad's avatar

Jesus, you sound like you look great. Don’t get all psycho and start an eating disorder, promise me that.

HasntBeen's avatar

Self-esteem depends to a large degree on being able to relax about things that aren’t perfect. Many a stand-up comic became an underground hero by making fun of their own height, weight, accent, IQ, looks, or other sub-par qualities. What makes that work is that the comic sees themselves as being more than just these things: they do not define themselves in terms of their weight or height, and so they can poke fun at themselves.

People sense the freedom in that, and the underlying self-respect. That’s more like “being yourself” than simply fixing or hiding the things you don’t like.

skfinkel's avatar

I think you need to talk with a counselor. You should know your weight is fine, and if you don’t, make sure you get some help before it gets to be “even worse.”

kheredia's avatar

It’s psychological. I was always a little chubby growing up and when I finally lost some weight I still felt fat. People would tell me that I was so skinny and “OMG you lost a lot of weight, you look great!” but in my mind I still thought of myself as being overweight. If you continue to feel this way I would definitely see a professional. If you don’t you’ll be putting yourself at risk for depression.

Merriment's avatar

At a guess I would say because you are stuck seeing your value in how you look.

Not to be unkind, but several of your questions contain many appearance related concerns. The best way to stop being hyper conscious of your looks is to focus on some other facet(s) of who you are.

What do you enjoy? Have any hobbies? Special skills? Notable talents?

Those are the things to think about whenever a thought about the size of your thighs creeps in and makes you feel less than.

faye's avatar

My daughter has lost a lot of weight and still feels fat as well. In her case I think because her problem spot is her tummy so it’s always right in her face.

CyanoticWasp's avatar

I don’t know about women’s sizes all that much and frankly I don’t even care too much, either but look at it this way: At least there’s a chance you can someday change your dress size. If it really means so much to you—there’s hope for change! On the other hand, I’m old and getting older every day (so far). If I start to get self-conscious about that, well… the alternative to “getting older every day” is even less attractive to me. So I soldier on. I suggest that you do the same.

PS: There’s a woman at work who is fat fat fat like you read about. But she’s sharp as a tack, funny as hell, and has a delightful smile that she uses all the time. She is absolutely adorable and beautiful. Work on what works for you.

CMaz's avatar

Self consciousness promotes self improvement.

Xilas's avatar

@ChazMaz bulimia and anorexia aren’t self improvement

EVERYTHING is needed in moderation…

SABOTEUR's avatar

You might try assigning less importance to the opinions of other people.Take me, for example…I have a mouth full of cracked, broken and missing teeth. I need the all pulled so I can be fitted for dentures, but there’s no way I can afford paying to do it.

No one wants to be seen in public with crappy teeth. By everyone else’s standards, I should be horrified at having to leave my house. I should have the worse self image of everyone here, except for one thing:

My self-esteem cannot depend on anything external to myself.

(Thank God I don’t see myself as a “physical body”)

To do so is to accept for yourself a lifetime of misery and unhappiness. Life is way too short for that.

janbb's avatar

You’re gonna be self – conscious about someone else? :-)

Merriment's avatar

@SABOTEUR Very nice answer and very good advice.

CMaz's avatar

@Xilas – Become self conscious of your bulimia and anorexia.

You will get help and I.E. self improve.

HasntBeen's avatar

@Oxymoron : Anybody who really understands Saboteur’s bolded comment has one of the most valuable pieces of knowledge on the planet. But it can take a long time to get clear about that… easier said than done.

SABOTEUR's avatar

@HasntBeen: You said it, my friend. (Thanks.)

jellu's avatar

dont be like that, just be your self because if your not youll be with the wrong people.
if you are your self u can be so happy in the life your in ;)

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