Monday, December 7, 2009

Room To Spare

I finally treated myself to a new bra yesterday. I have gone from a 42 band to a 38! I’m not sure about cup size though because I have always had to buy smaller than I need since I can only ever find the larger sizes selling in a couple of boutiques for about $100 and I just can’t afford that. I used to be an H, but I am currently crammed into a D. It’s still far, far too small, but I’m guessing I am not an H anymore - probably an E or an F. Regardless, I am just happy to have something that feels supportive again!

Along the same lines as this, is the growing urgency for me to purchase a winter jacket. The one I have feels huge and partially looks ridiculous on me and partially just makes it impossible to tell that I have dropped so much weight. I was with friends today and I actually zipped their four year old child into it with me and still had room to spare! We looked like some bizarre two-headed freak which is kind of how I feel when wearing it on my own now.

I am also pretty confident that I am going to have to figure out a way to foot the bill for having my rings sized before Christmas. They are so loose they clank against one another all the time and I was able to get them off my finger with just a few good shakes the other day. There is no way that I want to take the chance of losing them, so I will have to take them to the jeweler’s probably next week.

Most of my shirts are starting to look very baggy and they hang too long on me as well now. I have kept a few smaller sized ones from years past, so hopefully those will last me for a little while. My two smaller pairs of jeans are doing alright for the time being, although my 20W’s are feeling much too big now. I should probably retire those ones for good.

I never counted on losing weight this quickly and – while I certainly wouldn’t change a thing – it is hard to keep up with the cost of replacing so many items. I am trying to be smart about the purchases I make and to make the money stretch, and I have even gone to a couple of thrift stores to hunt through their clothing racks, but it is expensive to be constantly buying stuff again and again. I am not complaining! I have nothing to complain about. I simple wish that I had the financial ability to keep up with the things I feel I need a little more. This season can be hard on the pocketbook to begin with, so all of these extra expenses are definitely making me feel the pinch.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 7 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 banana
- 1 toasted whole wheat English muffin with light strawberry jam
- 1 mug of gingerbread steamed skim milk
- 9 pieces of shrimp combo sushi rolls with soy sauce
- 3/4 cup fat free strawberry yogurt with Life Multigrains cereal
- 1 Mandarin orange
- 1 1/2 ounces of mozzarella cheese

EXERCISE:
- 45 minute step workout video

22 comments:

  1. yeah I know what you mean! My wintercoat looks like a tent on me too, 5 sizes too big and I've hit trift stores etc but even there, nothing I came out with worked. Everything was different even though they all said large and although some were fine in size, they were either too short or just didn't look nice on me.
    I've come to the conclusion that I'll let this season go by looking baggy till I lose some ( a LOT-) more and also save up while doing so. I'd hate spending a topn now since we'll I'm only just approaching half way there!
    Yeah, they should give us money for every lb. we lose huh!

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  2. What a great problem to have. Although I 100% understand the money issue because the same thing happened to me. I'm sure you've looked at thrift stores, etc. Do you have a group of friends or an email list you belong to? Sometimes you'd be surprised what other people have in their closets!

    Congratulations on your weight loss. I'm so happy for you!

    I've got a coat post lined up for later this week! How funny that we were both thinking of coats - maybe because now it's cold outside.

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  3. 266 - I just caught sight of your most recent pictures! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!

    Words can't describe the drastic change - the pictures tell the story!

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  4. I so agree with Diane.. a good problem to have with the clothes but I feel for you on money too! I really don't buy clothes fro myself & wearing years old stuff!!! I keep trying to get on to What Not To Wear cause I wear the same 3 outfits over & over!

    As for bras.. I practically don't need one so maybe we can work out a deal! :-)

    Big congrats on your success & yes, the pics show it all!

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  6. Love the pictures! It shows all the wonderful progress you have made!

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  7. I found a decent wool coat on clearance for $30 at Target on Saturday.

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  8. Since you're smaller now and presumably faster, maybe you should consider shoplifting (see, that's why I seldom offer up advice...)

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  9. Oh Jack your too funny!!

    Looking good girl.

    Hey if you go to the jeweler, they have temporary ring sizers ( here anyway) that you can have attached to your rings so that you can continue to use your rings without having them sized. For now. Then when your at your healthy weight, you can have them sized properly without having to wear the strength of the bands down by resizing so many times.

    I don't know if that is an option in the sates but maybe look into it.

    I find great stuff second hand sometomes it is just like brand new!!

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  10. Wow, that's so great to have such a major reminder of your accomplishments! But I can see how the buying new clothes all the time could be a real pain, not to mention a financial strain. Maybe the Christmas and After-Christmas sales will turn up some good bargains. Your progress is so inspirational!

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  11. While it is a good thing to need smaller clothes, I can certainly understand the need to watch your budget, too. I seem to be moving downward, weightwise, so slowly I don't have that problem. I have plenty of time to use each and every smaller size I buy. I would be a great idea for all of us in the blogosphere to start a "Size Exchange", then one would only have to pay for postage. Keep up the great work. Pretty soon, you'll be shopping for one wonderful size only.

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  12. I share the frustration about having to buy new clothes. I love it and hate it. :)

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  13. I definitely know what you mean about the expense and I'm lucky to have a nice plus size consignment shop in my city (so that I can both sell my too big stuff and buy cheaper new stuff). I really can't afford to keep up with the changes, but I try to stretch things so that I can a bit because nothing inspires and wows me like looking at these crazy sizes on my clothes. :-)

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  14. Have you looked at the freecyle.org? People give things away there, including clothing.

    Do you have any friends that are around your new size that wouldn't mind lending you a few things?

    Jack is soooooo funny!

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  15. I know how you feel about the coat - a year ago I got rid of my size 3X wool coat and bought a super cute XL coat - it was tight but I knew I was losing weight. Well, this year it's swimming on me - no longer super cute - and I can't justify buying yet another coat! It gets a little depressing wearing too big clothes when you've worked so hard to get smaller!

    You really look great in your new picture, btw!!!

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  16. Great advice, everyone - well, maybe not Jack's ;)! Hopefully I can implement a couple of new techniques to save a few bucks.

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  17. I was going to suggest Freecycle, but I was beaten to the punch. So I'll also suggest Kijiji. You'd be amazed what people give away. You can just request stuff if you want.

    As a fellow large-chested woman, I have to say: please, please, please get a proper bra! PLEASE!!! Too small, not enough support...SOOO bad for your back! Trust me! I notice a big difference when I wear a decent one compared to one that's simply easier to put on. I have a Jeunique bra (Google it...it's a specialty bra with some rather innovative engineering), and it's a pain to put on but it actually helps my back. Plus it makes the girls look better.

    I didn't know about temporary ring sizers. I need to get my rings re-sized, too, but I don't want to do it until I'm done losing weight. So I'll have to check into that m'self!

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  18. Until you get to your goal weight, buy some temporary ring sizers. You can get them at a jewlery store and they are clear and fit over the band in the back to take up slack.

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  19. WOW!!!

    Just seen your latest photo, you are disappearing before our eyes girl!!
    You are making amazing progress.

    I know what you mean about clothes, I wear a unniform for work and it is hanging off me at the moment but I don't want to buy another yet. I am getting the skirts altered in the New Year. As for every day clothes everything is too big but being on a journey to size 14/16 I an reluctant to but anything just yet.

    A work friend asked what I was wearing for our Christmas night out next Saturday, I said I wasn't sure and she said "Well make sure it is somthing that fits you".. I am going shopping today....

    Well Done You :o)

    Sheialgh

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  20. Thanks all! Again, more good advice which I will definitely be considering.

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  21. What an awesome problem to have!
    You might want to consider holding off on resizing your rings until you reach your goal - otherwise you may find you'll need to get them sized yet again. Perhaps wear them on a chain for now?
    As for the clothes - try buying stuff that is slightly snug, so it lasts you a while! Although at your rate of weight loss, that won't be very long anyway!
    I hope Santa brings you some new clothes!

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