Store Stories!

Even though I have lost 130 lb.s, I still have anohter 70 to go, so I still wear mostly 18's. That means, I still shop in the Plus sizes. I realized the other day while in Fashion Bug, I am one size away from the "regular" side of the store. So, this is what was going through my mind when I realized..What will I do? Am I allowed over there? Will they laugh me out of the store if I go over there? Maurices is right next door and when we were leaving Fashion Bug, my daughter says "have you tried Maurices?" Panic struck me...They have sizes that would fit me now, but still can I go in? Will they laugh me out of the store? Does anyone else still feel this way? Even the skirt I have on today I can't imagine going to buy. It's from old Navy, I have never shopped there for me. This is a leftover from my daughter. All of my jeans are from her "too small" box as well. But after this size I am SOL. I will have to shop in the "regular" stores and sizes! I am going to push all my feelings to the back of my head and go to Maurices today! Wish me luck! Leeanne

Its so strange going to the other stores, I have two teenage girls so we spend a lot of time in Arepostle, American Eagle, Abercrombe & Fitch ETC. I used to always make myself comfortable in those big comfy chairs they have and sit for a while ...now I check the clothes out. I told my husband the other day I feel like such a poser I am wearing a tank from Abercrombe Jeans from American Eagle and a hoodie from Aeropostle...like I was worried that they would figure out I don't really belong there, how stupid are we Tori

Leeanne, We think exactly alike. My bottom size is 18/20 but 18/20 tops are getting too big. Like I said in Mary's post, I tried on regular size tops this weekend that were size 16/18 and I felt so funny walking around on that side of the store. There was a small lady looking at the same rack as I was and I kept thinking that she was wondering why I was over there with her and I'm so fat. I felt like I didn't belong there. Some stores have XXL in the regular sizes that are size 18 and they don't fit as big as a plus size 18. Sizes are Crazy!! I haven't been in a non plus size since I was in middle school. Size 16 here I come Good luck with your shopping today! Kay

Good luck! I think I shared before during the early part of the summer that I had to buy a bathing suit for vacation and was unsure of what size to buy. I ended up going to Lane Bryant online to get a size 16 suit and when I placed my order I noticed that their sizes ranged from 14 to 32 and I had myself a little panic attack. I couldn't even begin to fathom where I was going to shop when I wore below a 14. It never occurred to me that I could shop in "normal" stores. I actually cried like a baby when I tried on regular sizes and they fit. I cried so hard the attendant had to ask me if I was okay. LOL. Now, however, the plus sizes are too big and I shop in the regular sections, but I am always wondering in the back of my mind if the other shoppers are looking at me and wondering why that fat lady is shopping there. Like I've said all along -- the 335 pound woman still lives in my head and in my mirror.

I am right there with you Leeanne! I can wear both sides- depends on the material and cut. I imagine people staring at me as I wander to the other side to look... they're thinking I'm crazy for coming over here thumbing through racks of halter tops and tanks... I panic at the thought of one day being able to shop in the girls section at Aeropostale (I can get cute polo shirts in the dude section right now) What about when I can wear Abercrombie or Hollister Clothes! ACK! Too much anxiety to think of right now he he. I've never heard of Maurice's.. but good luck!

Good luck Leeanne! Isn't it strange that we just can't seem to get our heads around how our bodies have changed. The same thing happened to me at the Liz Claiborne outlet store. My sister had to literally drag me over to the regular size clothes cause the 1X's were just too big. I bought a pair of pants size XL but I just can't bring myself to wear them yet. Still walking around in the baggy 1x's

This isn't a store story..but it is an awakening story I guess. I joined the Y last week and I've been going to a different class everyday. I want to try them all and see which one I like best and then making it a regular part of my workout. Soooo.. my first class was a Start Stepn class I felt comfortable in there.. several ladies in the class were bigger women *like me*...next was pilates class...alittle more *fit* people but still a couple of *bigger* ladies in there so I was like ok..I can do this. Well today I go to do the 30min ABS class... I got there a little late and I looked through the window of the door.. I froze.. I saw all the *skinny* people in there doing crunches and I said to myself.. I can't do this I'll be the only *fat* person in the room...They'll all laugh at me.... so I just went and worked out on the treadmill and went home...... When I got home my DH said..how was the Abs class.. I told him I didn't go.. I wasn't comfortable being the only *fat* person in the class..... He just looked at me and said... Are you serious?????? I said, yes!! I felt overwhelmed with the people I saw in the class.... he took me and pulled me to him and wrapped his arm completely around my waist... I said, what on earth are you doing... He said, LOOK!! I can wrap my arm around you before he had a hard time trying to get both hands to touch in the back when he hugged me..... He said, YOU are NOT FAT anymore.. The people in that room were probably your size.... I stopped and thought about what he was saying.... He's right..when I remember some that I seen in there..probably weighed what I weigh and maybe even a little more............But to me I'm still 250lbs!! Sorry this is long... But it was an eye opener for me today. Anna

I love shopping in the regular size clothes, but do always wonder if the other shoppers are thinking "How can she fit in these clothes?" I guess at some point we'll get over it. I find myself comparing my size now to others a lot and thinking, "she's bigger than me", or " I'm about the same size as her, and that's not too bad". Maybe one day we'll go over to the "skinnier" side, but I guess we can never forget our old fat selves, lest we eat too much of the wrong things! Karla