In most parts of the country it’s getting warmer, and with warmer weather comes lighter weight clothes. My girls and I drove to the “big city” the other weekend to buy a few things for the spring. I don’t have a large wardrobe because, quite frankly, I don’t go a lot of places.
As a stay-at-home mom I can get away with t-shirts and jeans most days of the week unless I am meeting someone for lunch, speaking, or heading to church. When I was shopping with my girls, I realized that I still have the tendency to pick out clothes that are a size or two bigger than I actually need.
I got this little shirt from the GAP and before I settled on a small, I tried on a large, then a medium. My daughter said, “Mom, that’s really still too big.” I think for me, it’s a perception problem. Even though I look like this:
In my mind, I still kinda look like this.
Although one of the most enjoyable parts of losing weight was being able to say good-bye to the plus-size area of department stores, and stop shopping in very nice, but “stigmatized” stores like Lane Bryant, it was still hard to see myself as I now was.
Even after 13 years at this weight (excluding pregnancies), I have to readjust my perception of myself. Strange isn’t it?
I still am surprised at pictures of myself, and find myself gravitating towards loose, oversized clothing in an attempt to hide myself. Not that I want my clothes to be skin tight, but they should fit properly.
I’d encourage you to enjoy shopping for clothes as you lose weight, and treat yourself along the way to a few pieces of clothing that make you feel beautiful or handsome. Once you get to your goal weight, discard those old clothes and build a well-fitting, suitable wardrobe. You will be glad you did!
How do you do with self-perception as you lose weight? Diane
one of the most illuminating exercises I did with my clients and myself was the “draw on butcher paper how you think you look” (lifesize. your size)
it’s kind of a trite endeavor these days
but amazing amazing how my clients consistently perceived themselves to be farfar bigger than they were in reality.
Miz´s last fabulous musings ..MizFit- Fila Real Women Models & NYC
I usually have to try on at least three sizes. I pick the size I think I am, a size larger and a size smaller. Most of the time, I end up one size smaller than the ‘size smaller’ I originally picked. (two sizes smaller than the ‘size I think I am’.) So I totally relate to this post.
I will not wear anything that is the slightest bit baggy. I think my perception is if it is baggy people will look at me and think I ‘fill’ that bagginess. I am referring to loose tops. I look at other thin people in loose fitting tops and do NOT think they ‘fill’ those tops. I think those style tops look good on them, but when I put it on me I am VERY torso conscious. What looks loose the flowy on them, looks like maternity or refrigerator size on me. I carried most of my extra weight in my torso, so I know ‘why’ I have this torso sensitivity.
I too am like you. I always take a size of two bigger than I am now. Wonder when and if this is going to change – my mind.
blackhuff´s last fabulous musings ..Motivation for health – paraplegic athletes-people
I don’t know if I have a perception problem but I tend to wear baggy stuff for some reason. Comfort maybe? The other day I wore a very fitted top the the gym and my trainer and I had a discussion about how much thinner I, and people, look when they dress more like that instead of my usually baggy stuff.
Karen@WaistingTime´s last fabulous musings ..Do You Know the Muffin Man
This is a great post! I can’t tell you how many times I have purchased clothing that is too big for me, and it ends up at the Goodwill. The larger size clothing actually makes me look heavier than I am and it wastes money. I’m trying to create a healthier and more realistic self-percention, as I lose weight.
It’s funny, the longer out from maintaining my loss, the more I am starting to feel bigger again. It is so bizarre.
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I always take someone with a good eye with me when I go shopping. My mom or my best friend, because they can quickly see whether something fits correctly or not. Funny enough, that is not a problem on the bottom, but definitely on the torso.
Hanlie´s last fabulous musings ..Monthly Progress Report – 2
I have experienced what you’re talking after losing weight. However, recently, the opposite has occurred. I have fallen off track and gained 20 lbs in the last few months (and I was already overweight). My size has definitely gone up. I still find myself constantly picking up the sizes that I used to be and also picking up a pair of pants, and thinking to myself, “Those are HUGE, way too big for me!” Only to eventually try them on and they FIT! I agree that it is super important at any size to find clothing that fits you well, and you feel your best in. Can’t tell you what a difference that makes in how I feel and my confidence level.
Laura Jane´s last fabulous musings ..How do you choose
I’m like Laura Jane…as I reached my highest weight I would pick up something and think, ‘Oh, this will definitely fit me.” and then it would be too small. It was an eye opener.
Right now I’m enjoying being in a size 16 and realizing that nothing in the plus sizes fits me anymore. I think I’ll be like you as I get smaller, because I’ve not stayed at a 14 or smaller since I was in high school.
Have a great weekend, Diane!
Leah´s last fabulous musings ..Weigh-In Holding
I think a lot of people that have struggles with weight have a closet like a clothing store: several different sizes of clothing. I am purposefully sectioning off my bigger clothes to give away and not leave them hanging “just in case I gain it back.” No thanks! The shirt looks great on you!
BlessedMama´s last fabulous musings ..Seitan Fajitas
I definitely find myself still going for the baby doll dresses and flowy tops, larger sizes, etc. I think that’s just what i’m more comfortable with. I have to remind myself that doesn’t fit, and remember that it’s okay to where clothes that fit on the size I’m working so hard to be!
fittingbackin´s last fabulous musings ..Movie Review- New Asian Pasta Recipe- Giveaway Winner
I have gained 20 pounds due to Thyroid issues. I sometimes have these thoughts that I absolutely huge. I am only a size 12 for crying out loud. Accepting the weight hasn’t been easy, but it helps knowing I didn’t cause the weight gain.
Shawnee´s last fabulous musings ..Hair Clips for Easter
My perception was way skewed for a long time. It wasn’t until I maintained my current weight for a significant amount of time that I felt like it was “Real.” It was also weird clothes shopping because I’d grab sizes that I thought I was and they were all too big. For awhile I even had to shop in the Junior sections because things fit me weirdly in the woman’s section!
Diane – great post & boy do I relate!!!! Sometimes I just see that fat kid in the mirror after all these many years!
Jody – Fit at 53´s last fabulous musings ..Back- Butt- Outside for Training Vibrams
I have gone from a size 36 1/2 to a size 10. Skinny also means I have lots of excess skin that I try to ‘hide in my clothes. I am a harsh critic of how I look and I almost never buy clothing at full price because I still have the mentality that my body is not worth spending that amount of money on. My husband knows this about me and he tells me everything looks good in an attempt to get me to treat myself better. So instead of shopping with him I try to take an honest observer with me to the store. If they have any hesitation in approving something I take it right off. If I try on something and one of my grown daughters tells me I look stunning – I buy that item no matter what the cost because I know what a compliment it is to go from fat and frumpy to stunning.
Jane
Keepingthepoundsoff.com
Jane C´s last fabulous musings ..Having- Without Having More
I struggle with this, definitely. I waffle between thinking I am smaller and being disappointed I am still big, and then having baggy clothes and feeling, mentally, like I fill them out when I don’t. The vascilating is weird! I keep hoping it will get better, but I might end up like you and deal with it for decades. So long as I LOOK as awesome as you do, I’ll take the mental block
Taryl´s last fabulous musings ..60 pounds lost- Woohoo!
I haven’t really had the opportunity to lose enough that it’s majorly affected my clothing size. I mean I went down about two sizes with my last loss effort, and I only mentally went down one…. I still bought clothes too big because I had to convince myself I needed to, just in case I went back up.
Wow, looks like I am not alone in this struggle. Even though I am in Medium shirts I still feel like a 2x sometimes. What’s up with that?
Anyways, its not until I see myself in the mirror as to just how skinny I am.
Sheri´s last fabulous musings ..Keeping The Pounds Off
I now take the smaller size and sweat that it will fit me…lol
I do not want to be those bigger sizes again….
You looking GREAT in your small top!!!!
Marcelle´s last fabulous musings ..Day 13- 17 DD
I am still surprised every time an XL shirt fits me.
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