A Difficult Transition, Mentally - RE clothing

Yesterday, a fellow Srikanth patient and  I met at Gene Coulon Park in Renton, WA and she took some pictures of me before we headed back to her home for a yummy lunch and continuing fabulous conversation.

Please note the new avatar!  She's good, huh?

I was very (very very very very) nervous about the "photo shoot" because I wore clothes that "fit" (meaning they touched my body).  I think a lot of us, even after we start losing weight, continue to think that "bigger is better" or "the baggy clothes will disguise my girth".  Well, umm, lightbulb moment for me when looking at the photos Karin took.  See for yourself.  The before was literally one day previous and features me in my standary daily "uniform".



Did I feel awkward?  You bet I did!  Am I hyper critical of myself in this and other photos from yesterday?  You bet I am!  My head will catch up eventually...

Amy

also posting in following forums: Dr. Srikanth, WA, VSG, VSGrs With 150 Or More To Go

ps:  I've uploaded another new progress pic that's a collage some of the images from yesterday that you can see in my photos

 I am over the hump and now wear clothes that "fit" me, but for several months after my surgery my coworkers would fuss that I was wearing clothes that were too big.  Even now if I wear something that I really need to give away because I've shrunk out of it, I get told something.  I agree, we don't realize how clothes can compliment our bodies because for so many years we used clothes to hide our bodies.  Just have to retrain the brain!!

Amy,

You are looking great.  The smaller clothes make you look lots younger also!!!  I totally understand what you mean about feeling like you need to wear baggy clothes.  I still have a hard time buying fitted clothes.  My hubby and I were shopping the other day, and had he not been with me I would have gotten a larger size in the jacket I bought.  He & the sales lady both said I needed the smaller size!!!  It feels so weird to be buying clothes that are supposed to be truly fitted to your body, when all I wore before was baggy stuff!!! 

Your doing great too.... Keep up the good work!!! 

Caroline

I did some retail therapy on Friday and last week when we went to a hockey game my sister told me I need to get clothes that fit me.  So I went in with the size I thought I was and ended up 3 sizes smaller and could really finally see that I had lost weight.  Its hard - I am having a hard time getting rid of the clothes that do not fit me.  Its weird.....but I understand.

I had ordered pants long ago and they sent me a diffrent size and it was such a pain i just put them in a drawer and forgot all about it ..

well i have been using hair clips first one then 2 around my belt loops to hold my pants up .. then went and got two sizes smaller pants and those started falling off so i would wear a tighter shirt under my outer shirt (also with hair clips) (l live in New Hampshier  its COLD here layers are in right now) finally i gave up on that when it went to me having to hold them through the store .. so i had errans to do yesterday and found those pants that I had in the bottom of my drawer for like 4 years that were way way to small then and took one look and said they will never fit .. put them on and was in shock not only did they fit but there is no elastic there is no pulling up my pants anymore WOO HOO! ... my husband came home from work and was in shock i actually lifted up my shirt to show off my bum ... he was like wow ... then laughed cause i am always hiding from him ..

We have all done an amazing job and you need to find times to enjoy your body .. and the wow moments that come with changing ..

I so need this conversation. I have been getting rid of m old cloths that are just outrageously to big but still trying to keep the ones that are only a couple sizes to big. They still look like tents on me. Every time I put something on in my closet I am finding I need to add it to the "go" pile. But I look in my closet and everything in my head fits me just fine. Yesterday I again went to the garage and found many things that "fit" me again and added them to my closet. I am still finding I prefer the baggy stuff though the new stuff looks nice on me. I know I am going back and forth. But I think I am starting to find my way to the other end of this mental battle. It is nice to see I am not the only one. Guess I just need to "commit" to this and go through my WHOLE closet and do it once and for all and get rid of them.

Kathleen

WISH me luck on tomorrow ;o(

hi there! it took me a very very long time to get past this issue. i wanted to keep wearing baggy clothes -- sometimes it still hits me! it's just so ingrained in my head that big and baggy is my best disguise. but i'm coming around.

you're looking great! congratulations.

deb