It probably doesn’t surprise anyone when they hear that weight gain or obesity are often accompanied by self image and confidence issues. For me it has always been a cycle of one causing the other causing the other. The most contentious symptom of all of it is that I hate and often refuse to get my picture taken. This issue is what the people in my life focus on the most. I have maybe 3 pictures of my boyfriend and I together in 5 years. I hate family photos.
In an effort to slow/stop the cycle of self-loathing leading to eating leading to more self-loathing, I have been trying to take more photos with me in them and sharing those pictures with friends and family. This happens mostly in Snapchat because the pictures aren’t going to anyone I don’t want and they can only be viewed for a short period of time. I’ve occasionally Instagrammed a photo of myself, but they make me nervous.
I don’t think I’m going to become some Kim Kardashian level selfie taker, but so far I’ve gotten noticeably more comfortable with having my photo taken. I’m hoping that this little confidence boost will curb some of my emotional eating problems. I know what I’m doing when I’m doing it. It’s kind of like emotional turmoil that I’m indulging in, but simultaneously indulging in food. Merica.
This is my little attempt at healing some psychological issues, but I know the real work comes with lifestyle changes. It just seems like not a lot of people talk about working on yourself emotionally in addition to the physical stuff. Obviously I still have a lot to change, but first let me take a #selfie.
Suburban Fervor 
There are very few photos of me from years past… not even when I traveled overseas, because I hated what I looked like in them. I regret that. I think it’s awesome that you’re making this effort– you’re right that it’s often mental and not just physical effort that’s required to make a change. Oh and snapchat is da best. I ONLY take horribly unflattering photos with it. I send them to my beautiful sister-in-laws… somehow this makes me feel better, I have no idea why.
Same here, no travel pics. Although traveling alone, I’m not sure I would have trusted anyone enough to hand my camera off to them for a photo. Your nature engagement pictures were so sweet. May your future travels be full of AuSex pics! 😉
I have fallen completely in love with snapchat. The nuanced communication of doodling on photos of yourself is next level.