Dressing Room Drama

I was in Marshall Fields(Macy's) this weekend and decided to try on some clothes. Bad idea! Apparently I'm in between sizes and nothing looked right. It doesn't help that I'm on the short side too. So I just broke down - "Nothing looks right" "Nothing will ever look right". While trying on the last two outfits I couldn't even look in the mirror. I just turned my back and never checked myself out. I wanted desperately to get a new outfit for a fun weekend coming up but left empty-handed. I didn't take the time to realize that I was trying on 2X and 3X clothing, down from size 5X/6X. I should have been jumping for joy that I was able to get into those sizes and that they were actually fitting over my whole body, not just an arm or one leg. That I was trying on clothes in a regular department store, not a special plus size store. It hasn't sunk in that I can get into a 2X when I have all of the bigger sizes still in my closet and still wear them. When will the image of myself in my head catch up with what is really happening?

WOOHOO on that size decrease, that's awesome! It's just been recently that I can look at myself and see a noticable weight loss and I'm down nearly 80lbs. I also have bigger clothes still, shirts mostly since bigger pants fall off, and whenever I put them on I get irritated because I look like I'm swimming in them...but they are soooooo comfy. I refuse to wear them in public though because I end up feeling like a bum. But it took me putting on a 14/16 shirt that fit well for me to finally realize "Hey, you've lost weight, you're a normal size person...get rid of the size 26 shirts!" I do still have times where I do like you an dget upset because nothing fits right...and like you said it usually happens when I'm between sizes. The bigger size is too big, the smaller size is too small. When that happens I tell myself to come back in a few weeks and get the smaller size because it'll fit then. Everything I've read says that the brain takes a long time to really catch up to the body and you just have to be patient. When I'm watching TV and I see a Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem commercial on I still think "Hmm, I wonder how much that costs, I should try it."

It took awhile to find items that not only fit but that I liked...but it was fun to be trying things on instead of ordering from a catalog....so keep in mind that you just need to spend the time to make sure it not only is a fit but something that fits your personality....have fun

Sarah, I completely empathize with you. I had a very similar experience the other day. I went to 3 or 4 different stores looking for a nice outfit to wear as a congratulations to myself (I reached my first major goal of 250lbs, -116lbs) But I would look in the mirror and just be horrified at the image reflecting back. I know I've lost a gob of weight and I know I look different, but for some reason, I still see the 366lb April staring back at me - especially in my stomach and hip area. As a pre-op, I would see these posts all the time about how people would continually see themselves as the heavier former selves. And, I would think...these people are nuts! There is no way that I would ever think or feel that. Boy, was I wrong. I also have this continued fear that I will wake up from this weightloss dreamworld and weigh 366lbs again. I'm sure eventually our body image will readjust - its only been 5 or 6 months. I'm sure we just need to give it time. By the way, congratulations on all of your success! April

I know what you mean by the image of yourself not catching up with what is really happening. I use to wear 6x and now I am down to a 26/28. However, my mind still sees me as a 6x. I wonder if the brain ever really catches up?... Good job on your weightloss. Jenn

When I go to a store now I go to the sales person and tell them that I haven't been in there store in a couple of years and I have no idea what size I am and they just bring me stuff, lots of stuff. I love it. It helps me learn what the store has for me without me getting frustrated. I went to Victoria's Secret and the lady helped me, she brung me like 10 different bras and even checked to make sure it fitted me right when I had it on. And she knew I was only buying one because I was still losing weight. There was only need for one since my bra size is changing so frequently. So I don't know about ya'll but I seriously find that letting them know I'm not used to their store or used to my size helps my shopping experience alot because they will keep bringing you stuff till something looks right!