Buying clothes too small

[funnygreen33]

Basically with the lockdown restrictions lifting, I have decided to do something about my weight. Prior to the lockdown starting 12 months ago, I was a size 8 5ft6 and very active. I watched my diet and made sure I was active. Since last year I am now a 12.

I am thinking of buying size 8 jeans as motivation to help me lose weight.

Has anyone else tried this and does it work?

It would work for me, but haven't you got size 8 clothing from before ?

Totally agree don’t waste money on expensive size 8 jeans that will end up in the charity shop.

I do this. It works well for me. I pick something I’m doing, even if it’s just a trip to the pub at the end of the street, pick an outfit and work towards it.

@Hopdathelf

I do this. It works well for me. I pick something I’m doing, even if it’s just a trip to the pub at the end of the street, pick an outfit and work towards it.

How often do you try the outfit on?

@DrManhattan

It would work for me, but haven't you got size 8 clothing from before ?

Yes I have but thought something new might help me

Surely you already own loads of size 8 clothes?

No I don't recommend it OP. I think it will end up being a waste and you can't guarantee they will fit you. Even if you get to a size 8 they might not be a good fit and by the time you can try them on it will be too late to return them.

Only if you stuff them in your mouth to prevent yourself from eating.

It doesn't work. It makes you feel like a loser but not the kind you want.

I found being able to buy new clothes in a size I wanted to be was pretty motivating. I’ve never bought ahead, but I expect that rather than that lovely “reward” shop, I’d have just found them incriminating and critical, hanging there sneering at me 😉

I did find old clothes motivating though. There must be something that was a favourite? I have a pair of shorts I call my “barometer shorts”. I can only wear them at goal weight (a lot of my other clothes have a wide range they can work with) so I put them on as I lost weight, to measure progress and I found that motivating.

I think it’s bad idea, you’ll end up feeling fatter than you need to. Just buy size 12 and enjoy how they start feeling looser on your body :)

Why not start a saving account for when you hit your target then you can go shopping and buy some nice clothes that look good on you? If you buy clothes which don’t fit you they might not look good on you or suit you like you thought they would when you get down in size.

There's as much money lost in "clothes I will shrink into" than "gym memberships that have been used once".

Buy size 12 clothes that fit you and look good. Start feeling better about yourself and the way you look.
The weight may come off more easily if you're not stressed/feeling guilty about the weight you've gained.

Why not just use being able to get into your size 8 jeans that fitted pre lockdown as an objective, it will save you money.

I have done it many times.
The six six jeans I bought when I was 21 years old and size 14 were never worn. I gave them to my mum 15 years later.
The size 12 dress I bought for my friend's wedding was worn on that occasion (a year after purchase).
It's more fun shopping and trying things on when you're thin, though. Plus, it's not just about sizes. You don't necessarily know what styles and shapes are going to suit your new figure.
Plus, styles change!

I’ve lost 1.5 stones since Jan and I can now fit in size 14 or size 12. If the size 12 is a little bit tight I buy it as there’s no point in buying size 14 as I continue to lose weight.

But really I’m trying to buy very little as not sure what size I’ll end up at.

Buy some new jeans that for you. You deserve to be comfortable.

This is the answer to the question "how can I learn to hate myself?"

Good luck op. Buy the size 8 when you are a size 8.

I think you have gone too small. I went from a 10 to a 14 in lockdown. I ate too much shite and became very inactive. The hours walk I did every day was no substitute for the daily activity I did before lockdown. An active job and dancefit 3 times a week to practically nothing. I have bought size 12 jeans and I'm just back in them.

I'd guess that most people have done this at one time or another and probably most of them clothes weren't ever worn

Whether it works for you is entirely up to you though it certainly wont be affected by whether it works for anyone else.

Yes. Got about 6 bags in the loft for the few pieces I buy every time I start a diet, so basically every Monday.
It would be funny if it wasn't so hurtful.

And yes, I've had to get rid of some stuff because it's not in fashion any more or doesn't feel like "me" anymore.

@Dishwashersaurous

Surely you already own loads of size 8 clothes?

Yes I do. From last year before the lockdown started.

I tried some of them on yesterday

As you already have size 8 clothes that you no longer fit, it seems odd to buy even more.

Instead you could incentivise yourself for losing weight and/or exercising. So once you've lost say half a stone or can run for 5k you then buy £50 of new things, or something like that.

I’m in the same boat OP. I knew I had put on a bit of weight and become less toned in lockdown but I got a shock getting some spring bits out the other day. Living in leggings and trackies for the last year has allowed me not to really see how far I had gone and I’m heavier that I’ve ever been. Like you always a size 8 and now knocking on the door of a 12. At 5ft 1 I can’t really take the extra weight and wear the well. My goal is to get back into the stuff I have...it’s so hard not to be tempted to buy something new with life opening up a bit but I’ve decided to spend the money on some PT sessions instead.