All my clothes are too small for me!

[carries]

Ive put on a stone since last winter. Nearly all my skirts, dresses and tops are too small for me. Ive one pair of Boden jeans (size 16) that are a comfortable fit the others are tight! I basically wash and wear these jeans with a choice of 6-7 tops, 3 of which I like wearing. My jackets are tight, knee high boots are tight. Feel very fat (which i am, 13 st 10lbs, 5'7" and a size 16 with chunky ankles). Struggling to stay on a low carb diet. What do I do in the short term and what is flattering for a chunky big stomached 42 year old? Who cant believe she not 35 and not a size 12 any more!

I'd buy some comfy but elegant Sainsbury's stuff that you can wear a lot and if you want to lose weight and stil have carbs maybe join slimming world as the plan allows carbs in good quantities . I lost weight v quickly on sw and you will soon be back in yr old stuff .

OP - I could have written this post. I gained almost 2 stones and I'm also a size 16, a bit taller than you. All my clothes are small too! It's really annoying. I do low carb, I like it, but it has stopped working for me.

I can't recommend jersey type tops, oversized jumpers and jeggings enough.
Buy 'smart' colours e.g. Navy, Grey and Khakis. A good pair of shoes will add to the look - perhaps wider (for your ankles) brogues in tan will look great with this style.
Wrt to weightloss - get yourself on MFP. The thing to it is moving more and eating smarter if not necessarily less. I know it's easier to say than it is to do but think of the benefits in the long run.

Posted to soon - the fact is you have to dress for the size you are - not the size you want to be. When I gained weight I realised I looked awful still trying to get into my size 10 jeans.

I really like the Mango plus size (although they start at size 12) jeggings. I have a fat tummy so need jeans with a stretchy waistband (my legs are regular enough).

shop.mango.com/GB/p0/plussize/clothing/jeans/jeggings/dark-wash-massha-jeggings?id=73010086_TO&n=1&s=prendas_violeta.tejanos

If you're not in the right place mentally to try and lose weight, then buy some bigger clothes. Don't necessarily buy cheap because you're 'too fat' to waste money on - you'll feel 100 times better about yourself with nice, well-fitting clothing.

Also, if low carb isn't working then try something else. Personally I found low carb worked as a sort term fix but I don't do well then the diet relies on restricting certain foods. I'm doing SW with success at the moment.

Snap. I've gained 2st since my smallest. I've just been out and bought 3 stretchy dresses to wear on rotation while I get a bit smaller and fit back in my clothes!

Could you buy second hand off ebay? The beauty of this is that you can seek out your favourite clothes in the next size up. I often do this, as I flit between a 12 and 14, so I have bought somethign I love when a 12 then got too fat for it and had to try and find it in a 14 on ebay..which is suprisingly successful, if you're prepared to hunt for a little while.

I'm about 5lbs off my target weight, but keep starting a diet and giving up a few days later, when I was heavier I was more motivated to lose weight but now I'm nearly there it's like I just can't be bothered anymore!

I have an infestation of calories in my wardrobe it shrinks my clothes when I am not looking.

I am trying a combination of eating vegetables and protein plus some high intensity work outs. It's boring especially when you add just water to the mix but seems to be evicting the calories infestation of the wardrobe

I'd second Sainsburys Tu range .. especially their jeggings at £12, with a slouchy top, and perhaps a couple of jersey skirts from H&M you can wear with boots and opaques.

For a fast-ish (and not to difficult) result I really recommend Michael Moseley's 8 week blood sugar diet and theres a support thread here on MN also .. (in fact ive just gone back on it.. I lost 21 lbs earlier this year , but have put 7 back on over the summer due to white wine .. )

It might be just me but your first link goes to a skirt? Not the 8 week blood

Oops (i just bought that skirt!!)

Here is th e link to the blood sugar diet book

and here is Michael Mosley's website (you might know him from 'Trust me I'm a Doctor' on TV

.. you dont have to be a diabetic to try it... its very good for people who may be pre diabetic , but also is for anyone -and its especially recommended for losing tummy fat .. (it worked for me on my wine belly.. its just that i have grown it a bit again over the summer what with all the al fresco food and drink )

I've been off line for a few days hence lack of reply. Thank you so much for your helpful advice :-)

Crucru - i love that shirt.
Laska does the blood sugar diet not involve eating only 800 calories a day?
Gin or wine - forgot about Sainsbury's! A very good idea.

Try the 5:2. There is a thread on mumsnet. Fabulous diet. I lost over a stone and have gone from a 14 to nearly a 10, Its now a way of life for me.

I would buy some cheapy clothes from asda in the meantime to make me feel good and then once you are happy with the way you are, you will fit all your clothes and you can treat yourself to some you really want.

I'm in a similar boat op.
I wear a lot of Maisi, from Gemini Clothing.