I’m a satisfied customer! After striking out at Kohl’s, I found two new shirts and pairs of pants for work at The Limited and New York & Co., respectively. This shopping outing was both a mini-reward for hitting 35 lbs lost and, let’s face it, sorely needed. My previous go-to work outfits were drooping all over the place, which is just not how you want to go through life.
Trying on clothes in unfortunately lit fitting rooms can be an uncomfortable revelation. I was reminded that I still have plenty of solid effort ahead of me to get down to the healthy, fit body I want. At the same time, I am wearing a size 14 in most pants and an XL in regular stores’ shirts; this is down from an 18/20 in pants and shirts at plus-size stores or a “Women’s” 2X at stores like Old Navy. I am making plenty of progress, and at the same time, I recognize that I still have lots more distance to cover.
Having some new clothes, ones that actually fit me, helps me enjoy the journey a little more!
24. January 2010 at 7:37 PM
Oh my goodness, you look FABULOUS!!! Those outfits really show off the hard work you’ve put in. Congrats, and wear them with pride. :)
25. January 2010 at 10:11 AM
Thank you so much, Quix! I’m wearing one of my new outfits today, as a matter of fact. What can I say, I’m impatient ;).
24. January 2010 at 7:54 PM
Look at you, looking very pretty, comfortable and confident. I love it!
25. January 2010 at 10:11 AM
Aw, thanks for all these nice compliments, Tina :).
24. January 2010 at 7:57 PM
Oh, wow!!!!! You look absolutely THIN!!! You look like you’ve lost much more than your scale is telling you. congratulations!
And, wahooo! You redid your blog layout! Thank you–I can read it now without eye strain. I’ll be following, for sure.
Deb
25. January 2010 at 10:12 AM
Deb: Yay, I’m so glad you can read my blog more easily now! I was hating it that several people were having a tough time with the old layout.
24. January 2010 at 8:19 PM
Those colors look really good on you!
I love the way success can build on success: you look good, you feel good about looking good, other people pick up the confidence vibe and treat you good, etc.
25. January 2010 at 10:12 AM
Thanks, Merry! I decided to go for it and get tops in bold colors that I was really attracted to. Power colors!
24. January 2010 at 9:12 PM
Lovely clothes on a lovely girl :)
25. January 2010 at 10:13 AM
Thank you so much for the kinds words, Suzanne :).
24. January 2010 at 9:29 PM
Oh, you look beautiful! What a fantastic difference in you, especially in how you’re sparkling!
Yes, clothes shopping reminds us of how imperfect we are, every single time we do it!
The purple shirt on you is a great cut and a great colour!
24. January 2010 at 9:41 PM
hot, hot, hot!
I am loving all your rewards. I SO need to come up with some for myself. Congrats on a much deserved shopping trip. It’s awesome to watch your transformation!
25. January 2010 at 10:13 AM
Hee hee, thanks, Josie! You really really do need to reward yourself a lil bit. And then write about it, so we can all vicariously enjoy ;).
24. January 2010 at 9:46 PM
SO FANTASTIC!! Woman, you look AMAZING! Congratulations — SO excited for you that you stuck through and found the right thing that works FOR YOU. YAYYYYY!
25. January 2010 at 10:14 AM
Thanks, lady!! Sometimes I can’t believe that I really am doing this . . . finally ;). But I am! Thanks for supporting me all along.
25. January 2010 at 4:15 AM
Ooooh! I love that cranberry top, super sexy!
25. January 2010 at 7:13 AM
Wow those clothes look great on you. You look so tiny :) Great Job
25. January 2010 at 10:16 AM
Chrissy: Thank you :). I think the fact that I’m wearing heels (which I mainly only wear with work outfits and not in my “regular life”)contributes to making me look taller/thinner in these pics. So although I definitely *have* made genuine progress, the shoes help ;).
25. January 2010 at 7:20 AM
Aw, you look FANTASTIC! Love the new outfits. :-) It’s amazing what a difference it makes when you wear clothes that actually fit, yes?
25. January 2010 at 10:17 AM
Hot Mother: Hells yeah, wearing clothes that *fit* feels great! Although I had to scrimp a little this month to make it happen, buying a few reasonably priced new outfits that fit my current body has totally been worth it :).
25. January 2010 at 8:34 AM
Fantastic! Clothes are such a great reward for goals because they don’t involve food. When I was losing weight, I remember using a new piece of clothing as a “carrot” (sorry) for getting to a certain goal – maybe something I would not have been able to wear at a higher weight – a short skirt, something with a belt, etc.
On March 13, I’m celebrating 10 years of maintaining my weight loss and I decided to celebrate by teaching a seminar, because that’s what I love to do most, teach people about permanent weight loss.
You’re doing a great job. Keep it up!
Pat Barone, CPCC, PCC
“America’s Weight Loss Catalyst”
25. January 2010 at 10:18 AM
Pat, thank you so much for stopping by my blog and taking the time to comment—I really appreciate it and I’m impressed by your long-term weight maintenance success! That’s very inspiring!
25. January 2010 at 9:14 AM
Wow! You are looking so great! Way to go! Congratulations on your new clothes sizes :)
25. January 2010 at 10:19 AM
Heather: Thanks, lady! I am going to enjoy rocking the new, smaller clothes this week.
25. January 2010 at 9:27 AM
You look great! The new clothes look fantastic on you! You have come so far, and I agree with the poster above, you look positively skinny in your new clothes:)
25. January 2010 at 10:19 AM
Thank you, Janie! I feel pretty great about the new outfits and it was so much fun to take some pics and post them here :).
25. January 2010 at 11:49 AM
You look GREAT! I love that burgundy blouse — awesome color! And I’m with you: making the transition to “regular” sizes at “regular” stores is such a milestone. Congratulations! REVEL in how totally badass you are.
25. January 2010 at 2:36 PM
Thanks, Melicious! I’m rocking the burgundy blouse today, as a matter of fact! It’s great to have more clothing options again—I have to reign myself in or I’d go on a spending spree every time I lose a few more lbs. When I hit my goal weight, though, all bets are off. I’ve already started saving ;).
25. January 2010 at 3:14 PM
You look great! I really like the clothes you picked out! And what amazing progress, look at all those sizes you’ve dropped.
25. January 2010 at 3:35 PM
You are adorable! Congrats on reaching that 35 pound down benchmark!!!