Perception
Oh, that's horrid for you. I also am avoiding going out at all because of the way I perceive myself to be. I had to go to Paddington yesterday to meet up with a friend I hadn't seen in 7 years. I warned her beforehand that I have put on weight, and I felt so uncomfortable that I just wanted to go home. My weight gain of 20 pounds could be worse, but to me it is the end of the world. And you're right - only we can do something about it, but for some reason it has suited us to press the self destruct button, eat and feel worse. Only this weekend I did that. Well, drank, actually. But I felt so much worse. Hence really wanting to make a success of this diet. I hate not being able to go out. I even ran past someone I knew yesterday (I knew I'd see someone who'd recognise me when I went out) with my sunglasses on and hoped to god I wasn't seen...I know objectively I don't look that bad, and I know you don't either, but our sense of pride is such that we only want to be seen when we look our best. Or better. I also know what you mean about offering advice - it's easy to do, but not so easy to take your own especially when your self esteem isn't very high.