Have you ever had to purchase new clothes for an upcoming vacation or trip? How about new, bigger clothes? That’s what happened to me during the second year of our marriage. When I was first married, I wore a size 10, and never thought too much about my size. Things in the store fit me, and shopping was fun. However, during the first year and a half of my marriage, I put on about 30 pounds, until I could no longer fit into size 10’s, or 12’s. John and I shopped together, but I had become a master at hiding the size I was trying on. I’d take 3 different sizes into the dressing room, and when I came out, I’d announce – “I’m going to get this one!” I’d pay, and he’d be none the wiser.
There came a day when we planned a vacation to the Georgia mountains with two other couples. All three couples were excited about hiking, shopping, and white water rafting. Well, I wasn’t going to do the rafting, but that’s another story. As I was packing myself up for the vacation I realized with great chagrin that I didn’t have a pair of blue jeans that fit. I had kinda stopped wearing jeans because mine were too tight. I knew I really needed a pair of jeans for the vacation, so I invented an excuse to buy some.
I went into the living room and showed him my old pair. I said, “These pants are out of style, and I’d really like another pair that are more stylish.” Being the good husband that he was, he didn’t blink an eye, but said, “Sure, I’ll go with you.” I shook my head, “I’ll just run out real quick.” So I went shopping for a pair of jeans. I started with a size 14, and quickly realized that wasn’t going to work, as I couldn’t even get them over my hips. Surely it was just the particular brand, so I tried another. No go, those were even worse. Eventually I found a pair of tight 16’s and reluctantly bought those, swearing to myself that I was going to lose this marriage weight.
Once home, I got a pair of scissors out of my sewing kit ,and surreptitiously cut the size tags out of the jeans, so John wouldn’t know how big a size I had to buy. Those pants were tight, but I suffered through the vacation with them. Here’s a picture of me during that trip, with my brand new size 16 pants. After the trip I did join WW, but didn’t last more than a couple of weeks before I once again went back to my poor eating habits. It would be seven more years of continued weight gain before I finally lost the weight.
Have you ever had to buy the next bigger size clothes just to “tide you over?” For me, it was a frustrating, and sometimes humiliating experience. Each time it happened it was almost as if it were happening to someone else. Who was that person in the mirror who needed a 1x, a 2x, and oh my goodness, a 3x? What happened to the normal sized woman I used to be? My clothes were always the first indication that I had once again gained more weight. First the hips got tight, then the waist band wouldn’t close, and eventually I couldn’t even get them up over my hips. Each time it happened I felt defeated and out of control.
After 10 years of bigger sizes, I finally got my food choices under control. One thing I really enjoyed was seeing the formerly tight clothes become well fitting, then loose fitting, and finally falling off. I splurged and bought myself a new pair of jeans each time the previous size got too big. It was wonderful to go into the store and look at jeans the next size down. It was even more wonderful when those jeans got too big and had to be replaced.
One thing that helped me along the way was to try and vizualize what I wanted to look like. Not necessarily the number on the scale, or the size hidden in the waistband, but how I looked. Over time, by making wise food choices, exercising and carefully watching my portions, I achieved success. As you walk your journey, commit that you will no longer buy bigger sizes to “tide you over,” but rather work towards your weight loss goals while wearing those pants that may be a little tight! With daily effort, and close attention to healthy eating habits, you can have the success you desire. Remember – New Pants Required – Only if they are a smaller size! Diane
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It’s really strange that I don’t actually REMEMBER gaining weight, or anything that went with it. That period in my life is like a blur to me… I must have noticed, bought bigger clothes, etc, but there’s no recollection. Which is probably why my reaction to my weight is still sometimes one of surprise… How did that happen?
I love having to buy smaller sizes, especially for jeans, now!
I’m like Hanlie. I don’t remember gaining weight either, it just seemed to happen. But I do remember having to buy new clothes again and again.
I never paid much attention to clothing sizes when I was younger. It wasn’t until I couldn’t wear the sizes in the misses department and had to go to the Plus Size’s that I started to get upset.
I’m trying to eat clean and exercise and hope to get this weight off, and be able to ditch these ugly clothes I’ve had to wear for the last few years.
@ Hanlie – Me too – I knew it was happening, but it was almost like it happened to someone else!
@ Ann – New clothes are fun when they are the size you want to buy! Thanks for the comment!
@ Winnie – It sounds like you are on your way to making a life change. I clearly remember going up into the Plus Sizes. It wasn’t fun. I’m glad you commented!
I had to update my wardrobe just a week ago because my clothes were not fitting well and some did not fit at all.
This, and a few other situations was a real turning point for me and I can feel a shift in my thinking and actions.
I know it’s early days, but something feels different and I know I am never going to need a bigger size again.
Wow! I just found your blog yesterday and am loving it! Your stories are so wonderful and I keep finding myself nodding along, since I know exactly what you are saying! I’m there now, with 50 pounds to lose. It sounds so daunting, but I’ll be taking it 1 pound at a time. Your blog photo is beautiful! I strive to be where you are within the year. Thanks for the motivation!
Wow. I can REALLY relate to this post but my size jeans were MUCH bigger.
@Running Girl – Good for you! Never go back is my maintenance mantra, and it’s good for weight loss, clothing sizes and unhealthy eating! Excellent comment!
@Michelle – Thank you so much for your comment! I’m glad you are enjoying the site. 50 pounds isn’t impossible, and like you said – just one pound at a time. You’ll get there!
@Lisa – I know – unfortunately mine got lots bigger too. I eventually outgrew the Plus Sizes and couldn’t wear pants at all.
I remember vaguely buying larger sizes, but I never had to buy sizes that “large”, so I always rationalized it. I’m a very small person, 5′3″, so when I topped out at a size 16 I was very unhealthy.
I find it curious that I throw out all my fat pants immediately after they no longer fit, but I keep all the skinnier ones forever. I suppose hope springs eternal.
I do this too, and good thing, as my skinny clothes fit again, and I can’t afford (and can’t stand) to buy more.
I absolutely hate buying that bigger size, just for certain events or to work until I get to the smaller size. Ironically I also dislike buying a smaller size when my bigger pants are falling off me. I always think that it is not the right size either! It’s not my final destination so I don’t want to get comfy there.
@Meg – I know what you are saying. Even though I didn’t like buying those size 16 pants, it still didn’t seem that big. Not too much later I had to switch over to the Plus Sizes – that did seem big! Thanks for the comment!
@Jack – That is really funny! It’s also what I did. When I had lost all the weight and pulled out the smaller dresses and suits they were so out of style we just threw them away!
@Mary – Not getting comfy at a size you don’t want to be is a great attitude to have, whether going up or down the scale. Thanks again for the guest post!
Part of my Fatcave lifestyle has involved having way too many clothes… because I have been so many different sizes over the last 6 years or so. Almost always going in a larger direction. I look forward to the day when I am confident in a healthy lifestyle; so confident that I throw out the larger clothes as soon as they get too loose, because I know I will never be that big again.
I haven’t had to go up in clothing sizes for YEARS…wanna’ know why? Because I’ve been wearing a size 26/28 since my highest point at 340 lbs. and as of this morning am still wearing them at 260 lbs. Elastic is an amazing thing. I wish I was the gazilliionaire that invented that stuff!!
However, as of this morning, when I was doing my walk on the treadmill and my shorts fell halfway down, I am finally thinking it might be time to invest in some size 24’s….HOORAY!! I haven’t seen a smaller size in many, MANY years…what a great feeling this is! It can only get better from here!
I added you to my blogroll today so that the people following my blog will be directed to yours. Your weight loss is an amazing accomplishment, you’re a true inspiration, and I want to say thank you Diane for sharing it with all of us “aspiring skinny people”, lol. Have a great skinny day!!
Hilary – This time, as I was losing weight, the minute anything got too big to wear I got rid of it. It was part of my “never go back” philosophy. I’ll be watching your progress on your blog!
@Tammy – You are too funny! I wish I had invented velcro, although that doesn’t work as well as elastic for expandability! Yay on the shorts falling down – I hope you were at home and not at the gym! Time to get some new pants! I’ll add your blog too.
I like what you said about visualizing what you look like. I think so many times we get caught up on the numbers. Thanks for sharing!
Last fall I got rid of all the clothing in my closet that was too small for me, with the exception of one or two things, because they were a hateful reminder of my past failures. It was very freeing for me to not see that box with “Leah-Small” on it every time I went to get something out to wear.
I seriously thought I was going to have to just learn to love myself as being one of the plus-sized women in the community. I was evening beginning to love myself and not care what others thought. I knew women who were heavy and beautiful, so it was okay, right?
Then I gained another 20 pounds in about 2-3 months and realized that it had to stop. It’s taken me a couple of months to get serious about losing the weight, but I know now that I can and will do it!
Am I sorry I got rid of all of those smaller clothes now that I know someday I’ll fit into them again? Not at all. Instead I’m looking forward to having to pick up some new stuff as my weight drops. Besides… they would be out of style now anyway!! LOL!
@Ruth – Thank you for commenting. I liked your blog a lot, the Taco Bell post was interesting and informative!
@Leah – I think it’s great you got rid of something that was bothering you. And as far as trying to be happy when you really weren’t – I tried that too. It didn’t work for me either! You are doing great – keep up the good work.
I love this blog. Your stories are great.
Great post Diane. I always go by how my clothes fit! That is the indicator for me. Being short, just a few pounds (like 4-5) can move me into a larger size. Also, being heavier for my height due to having more muscle, I do have to go by the fit of clothes too.
If those clothes are getting way too tight or you are moving your way on up the size ladder, it is time to evaluate quick! I never let myself get beyond 5 pounds from where I feel good.
@Jenn – I stopped by your blog! You are awesome with your running, and you look great!
@Jody – I have a 3 pound range I let myself float in. I too can always tell in my clothes, even though I’m tall. I enjoyed your post today!
Buying clothes is so traumatic to me at this point, that even though most of my clothes are too big, I’ll continue wearing them just so I don’t have to go shopping. Yesterday I pulled some boxes of clothes from under the house, where I put them three years ago when I moved in, and they were all too tight. Some of them are now too loose, others fit, a few things are still a bit too tight. I should have done this months ago, baggy clothes look very unsexy. It’s a whole new wardrobe, already bought and paid for!
Julie – I’m sorry clothes shopping is so hard, but at least you are looking fabulous!! I got to the point where I couldn’t buy clothes in the store, and had to make them, and they weren’t pretty!
It’s funny how when you wear something that fits, or is even a little bit tight, that you look slimmer! Thanks so much for the comment!
I can both remember buying the next size up just to tide me over, and wearing the old pair until it was so tight it about cut off my circulation. I sure does feel good to be going the other way now!
Wow—I could have written the begining of this post. I still use the take three sizes to the dressing room routine and I have cut the size out of many of my pieces of clothing.
I am looking forward to needing new clothes–smaller clothes
Thanks for the inspiration! I enjoy reading your posts