Phantom Fat

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Losing weight is supposed to be a triumph. Stepping on the scale and seeing your goal weight come up for the first time is akin to hitting the jackpot on your favorite scratch off. It rocks. However, sometimes the elation can fall short when your post-pounds reflection isn't exactly what you had in mind.

Most times, the real problem isn't the reflection; it's the belief that the amount of weight lost hasn't been enough to achieve the desired results. Often called phantom fat (or body dysmorphic disorder), this phenomenon occurs most often when a person has lost a significant amount of weight.

"A 50-pound weight loss is a huge amount of weight, and it takes getting used to," says registered dietitian, Keri M. Gans. When previously overweight individuals look in the mirror, they may still see that same overweight body, even though a thinner version of themselves is staring back. It's like having a thin person's body encumbered with an overweight person's mind, Gans says.

"[Phantom fat] can be dangerous because you need to know when to stop [losing weight]. There is a point where weight loss does become dangerous," she says. If people become too obsessed with the number on the scale or achieving what may be impossible results, eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa could begin to develop.

If you're embarking on a new diet regimen, Gans suggests working with a registered dietitian to cover all your physical and emotional bases. "Weight loss needs to be gradual. Changes don't happen overnight, and that's why slow weight loss and working with a registered dietician can help so you're realistic about your weight loss goals."

In addition, she suggests engaging in an exercise program to help become fitter and stronger. "A lot of people lose weight, but they're not toned. They lost all that weight, but then their arms and legs sag," she says. "Focus less on appearance and more about how you feel, which is something that doesn't happen enough."