Why Do I Feel Fat Even When I Know I'm Not?
Many people describe a confusing experience.
Part of them knows they haven't gained weight.
Part of them knows other people don't see them the way they see themselves.
Yet they still wake up feeling uncomfortable in their own body.
They still avoid mirrors, photographs or certain clothes.
They still feel "fat."
One reason this can feel so confusing is that feeling fat is often not actually about fat.
Unlike emotions such as sadness, fear or anger, "fat" is not a feeling.
Yet many people use it to describe emotional experiences that are difficult to put into words.
Feeling inadequate.
Feeling ashamed.
Feeling unattractive.
Feeling rejected.
Feeling out of control.
Feeling vulnerable.
Over time, these emotional experiences can become attached to body image.
The body becomes the place where emotional distress is expressed and experienced.
This is one reason why changing weight, shape or appearance rarely creates the lasting relief people hope for.
The goalposts simply move.
The body changes, but the underlying emotional struggle remains.
Many people find themselves trapped in an exhausting cycle of checking, comparing, dieting or seeking reassurance.
Unfortunately, these strategies often reinforce the belief that the problem lies with the body rather than exploring what may be happening underneath.
Therapy provides an opportunity to step back and understand your relationship with your body differently.
Rather than asking, "How do I change my body?", we begin asking, "What is my body carrying for me emotionally?"
As understanding grows, many people find they become less consumed by appearance and more connected to themselves.
Because lasting change rarely comes from fighting your body.
It often begins with understanding what your body has been trying to communicate.
Related Reading:
• Understanding Body Dysmorphia
• Why Am I Never Happy With How I Look?
• Why Shame Keeps Eating Disorders Alive
You may also find my Body Dysmorphia Therapy page helpful.