Clothes shopping made me cry today

[doglover]

I've been slowly putting on weight for the last 9 months but haven't been clothes shopping in this period. My mum and I went shopping yesterday and it was an embarrassing, sobering experience. I'm now a size 22 and could find nothing that fitted and looked half decent.

I'm not looking for sympathy but, rather, just wanted to ........ bleurgh ....! I will be losing weight after Xmas but just felt utterly huge and horrid. I just wanted to find a nice tunic top that could be worn with jeans for the Xmas period but came home and sobbed because I'm too fat for standard shops.

Thanks for reading.

Yay!

ah well, now you know.

it went on slowly and will come off the same way. You know what you've been doing wrong, no need for fads, diet foods, disordered eating or all the other crap - just healthy eating and more moving around.

good luck!

Do let us now what you think of the Boden tops when they arrive, Doglover. Hope they're lovely.

Ignore silly comments about not being able to look good until you lose weight!

I think it's wrong to say you can't be fat and happy.

I am the fattest I have ever been and I am very happy and have no desire to change. If my weight suddenly increased by several more stone I would make an effort to lose weight purely for health reasons, and there is no shame in saying that but honestly I could not give a shiny shit if I am a size 8 (which I was) or a size 18 (which I am now).

I shop at new look, yours, and next and I am comfortable in my skin. If other people don't like the way I look that's their problem, I really don't care what anyone thinks as long as I can look at myself and like what I see and think I am a decent person.

Op you can lose the weight if you want to. But don't become so down on yourself about it. Trust me even those who are a size 8 have body issues. If it isn't their body it's something else. Life is too short to hate yourself.

My gran lived her whole life as a size 26. She died peacefully aged 92 having had a life full of fun, sex (oh yes she loved men and had several boyfriends after my grandad passed away in her 70s) and I always remember her laughing. I never ever thought of her weight as an issue. She was beautiful.

Who hasn't cried in a changing room. Besides the lighting and mirrors, odd sizing etc.
ok, do you can't fit into regular sized stuff in shops AT THE MOMENT. That can happen so easily. Weight goes on and before we realise it...
But there are solutions and breakthrough moment, as you've had, is the beginning of the answer:
There's Overeaters Anonymous (nope, I'm not kidding and I'm NOT insulting you). I found it incredibly helpful for over TEN YEARS. It's for people who feel out of control where food is concerned: Overeaters, hate the fact, can't help but repeat it.
There's Slimming World. Also has worked for me at a different time in my life. I like to overheat. Lol. This helps me to choose what to eat more carefully. But eat I do!!!
You'll find your way. Think of your horrible shopping experience as the turning point, your Rock Bottom. You're not alone. Bet you have a fabulous and slimmer 2014!

I feel the same whilst shopping & I'm a 12/14. It's heartbreaking & consequently I have no bloody clothes to wear.

It's my graduation in Jan & I am panicking a bit!

Last time I went to the doctors, he prescribed me some diet pills (without me asking) after saying 'oh, you don't look fat'

Kate, that sounds disturbing. Did you take them. Very mixed messages and nit a 'plan for life'.

I know, it wasn't professional of him, a bit odd really. He started by saying 'tell me whats going on in your life' so I said about trying to find employment after uni (this was back in September) and dieting, so he weighed me & said oh dear, you don't look fat, try taking these & gave me a prescription. & no, I haven't taken them as like you said it's not a long term plan.

Kate - at a 12-14 you should be able to shop wherever you like. What odd advice from your gp

He is actually a really good GP, I've had some terrible ones over the years but he is so nice and friendly.

I know I should, in my head I honestly believe I'm the size of honey boo boos mother mama June and I'm surprised when I see myself in the mirror!...oh god, I have issues!

CAn I advise taking pictures? Once you start losing weight you will feel fantastic, but if you're anything like me your mind will play tricks on you.

I went from being 2 stone under a healthy bmi as a late teen to 5 stone overweight in a very short space of time. I now have three stone to go before I'm a healthy weight, but my problem is my mental awareness of my body. I am aware that I am thinner than I feel (see my profile pic) but because being fat for so long ruined my self esteem and body image, I still feel like I'm a size 20 when actually, I wear size 14 dresses and get compliments.

I've resorted to taking photos of what I'm wearing, when I'm ready I leave the house and that way when I start feeling rubbish I have a look. Seeing something in front of you is different to looking in a mirror.

What I'm taking a long time to say is this - fantastic to start losing the weight, but make sure you are taking care of the rest of you too. Mentally this will be a big change to you too, so acknowledge that by finding ways of scaffolding the change.

Yeah, that's really good advice. I'm not going to be stupid enough to start dieting over Christmas, but I'll still be going to the gym and not over eating!