Does anyone else do that thing of saying "I'll wait until I've lost weight before I buy anything new"?

[shandyleer]

I say this constantly, and in the meantime I dress awfully. I think I'm getting to the stage where I'm just realising that I'm never going to lose weight, I would have done it a long time ago if it was that important to me. But, that means thinking differently about the way I dress, and I don't know where to start really.

Come on then..

SPILL

yes, then last year I gaev up, bought some new stuff and...lost weight, sod's law!

how much weight have you wanted to lose?

Hah ducky, that's the answer then, new stuff!

Don't know where to start really cyb. Am 5" 4 and about 11 stone (too scared to get on the scales). I don't think of myself as big cos the weight has crept on in the last 18mths or so, I was always between 9 and 10 stone. Most of it's on my stomach and behind, and I've taken to wearing big and baggy stuff, which I know isn't necessarily the best way to go. Am also OLD - 45 (although I just had to ask ds1 to work that out for me cos couldn't remember if I was 45 or 46!)

Yup. At that height and size you're probably a 14 Shandyleer (that's the size I was back in February this year at 11.4) which is by no means big! But have come to the realisation that whatever size you are you need to dress well - find out what you like best about your body (good legs, nice arms or neck area, good boobs etc?) and make the most of it - or you'll never actually incentivise yourself to lose weight properly. How much weight do you want to lose?

Well, I'd like to lose a stone initially and see how it looks (got to think of that face/arse thing at my age too). Trouble is, I don't really like anything about my body - no boobs to speak of, don't like legs//face. That sounds pathetic doesn't it, sorry!

How much have you lost dinky?

you could lose a stone in 2 months if you put your mind to it, cut out snacks, booze, bread eat fruit and salad, drink water

I am refusing to shop at the moment, have a wardrobe full of nice stuff I'm determined to fit it. I am getting there (had ds in jan) but my tummy does that thing now where it looks like a jumper does when you roll up the end IFKWIM...think even if I get back to my pre baby weight I'll never be able to wear old tops..

I reckon if you put your mind to it you could lose a stone before the summer which would
a) perk you right up
b) enliven your interest in clothes

you sound a bit low tbh, and resigned to being bigger than you really want to be

if you did go and splurge on a whole new wardrobe, would you be happy putting your current shape into it?

cyb our minds are attuned in the zone

oh I know ducks I love the way our weight loss klaxon goes off and we are THERE in a trice

spouting forth!

cos we is PERFECT and all that

WW on-line is amazing and only a tenner a month

ducky and cyb - are you sitting next to each othe on a sofa somewhere copying each other's posts?

I do feel a bit resigned at the moment, I've started so many bloody diets healthy eating regimes that I've lost count.

But, those of you who are happily my size - what do you wear that makes you look good and feel good?

shandyleer - I completely understand - I know longer dress I disguise and its been 7yrs since I enjoyed shopping

I have a wardrobe full of clothes ranging from size 12-24 and would give my right arm to be a size 14 again although the embarassing thing is that even when I was at my smallest I still thought I was too heavy!

Shandyleer - I have (depending on what day I stand on the scales) lost between 10 and 12 lbs. I exercise a lot. I'm in size 10-12 clothes (which I put down to the exercise). I still have a fat tummy but good underwear and the right cut clothes can hide that well and am really happy with the rest of my figure now.

Ducky and Cyb are the new Gok Wans of MN dont you know. When I was 11.4 I used to wear trousers alot (still do but they're smaller) and longer length tops that finished at my upper thigh rather than waist to avoid bringing attention to that area. Good necklaces/necklines also good. Water fall cardis also work well at hiding your waist area and look nice over a pretty dress or top and trouser combo.

pmsl @ gok
As a size 14 (I was in denial really, verging on a 16) I wore wide leg trousers alot
now I'm a 12 I still wear wide leg trousers alot but also wear dresses and skirts that I didn't bother with before
btw I have had the clothes I bought just before losing weight taken in so not a complete waste, buy a few that make you feel good, when you feel good you might want to lose some weight

Have you seen this site .It lets you create an exact 'you' so you can dress up in all sorts of likely and unlikely clothes.And all without red faces and sniffy shop assistants.

Yes. I have just started buying nice (not particularly expensive, just carefully chosen from eBay) stuff in my proper size. And, like duckyfuzz, I'm now losing weight fairly quickly. I wonder if there's a general taking-pride-in-your-appearance thing that motivates you to lose the weight once you are feeling more confident about yourself?

Theantsgomarching - I was 11.4 due to DS2 too (got down to 10.6 then returned to work, got stressed, comfort ate and back up to 11.4 by February) - joined WW, joined the Nothing Tastes as Good thread - and shifted the weight finally, Walking EVERYWHERE when on maternity leave and a pilates class and a buggyfit class a week were enough to shift the babyweight when on maternity leave - sadly I need to do alot more to shift (and keep shifted) the biscuit tin weight now back at work as am sat on my arse alot. I found when heavier that a few cheap but nice looking items (H&M, Primark, New Look) upped my attitude abit and made me feel better about myself.

oh yes, and also the "if I could get into the mountain of size 12 clothes in the loft I wouldn't need anything new anyway"!

I'm about ten five now - thing is I'm suffering awfully with bladder prolapse so can't really exercise so its really hard now I'm getting closer to goal...I know I could swim but have about as much chance of having time/energy to swim as I have of waking up a size 10 with no stretch marks and undamaged bits...dream on

um, I was kind of in this boat a few months back ... had dc3 last Sept, bought all sorts of lovely autumn/ winter things with excess weight and endless breastfeeding in mind. But then all the spring summer stuff started to appear and I wasn't back to pre-preg weight yet ... but desperate to buy new things (I love spring/ summer clothes, could buy almost everything i see, autumn/ winter much less my cup of tea) ... ended up feeling really sht about myself! Anyway, of course I went out and spent money on nice things in a size 14, of course the weight did* come off and I am now a size 10 and having to get rid of it all.

But the thing is, it was partly going out and spending the money - not that I spent loads, mind you, was almost all low-end high street - that made me more determined to lose weight. Because I just got excited about fashion and how fab it can look. And that made me want to look really really good. That sounds shite, I hope you know what I mean.

I would say: at least go and buy yourself some things that you like from inexpensive places like Primark, New Look etc. This in itself will prob rekindle your interest in clothes and make you really want to lose the weight. Once you have, haul all the cheap but cheerful stuff to the chazza shop and get thee to Selfridges

You can lose a stone in no time, honest.

I am 5' 3" and always used to be between 9 and half and 10 stone. Then I came off the pill in Jan, and due to PCOS have put on over a stone. So I am now 11 3.

I too have loads of size 10 and 12 clothes that do not fit. And it made me miserable. I would try and squeeze in them and it made me look even worse.

There is a fine line between resigning yourself to your size and not bothering. And accepting where you are at that time and making the most of what you have.

shandyleer - like you I would rather be thinner. And I am exercising and trying to lose it. But I still have to live and work in the body I am in today.

Go and buy yourself some nice size 14 clothes. I have found Dorothy Perkins are excellent. I have a great pair of jeans that are comfy and make my legs look longer. I have one pair of good work trousers, one nice work skirt and a pretty summer dress. Oh, and a pretty top. The basics don't need to cost the earth, but will make you happier as you will feel good.

For me, now that I'm happier in myself, can walk down the road knowing my muffin top is well hidden, I feel MORE motivated to lose weight.

Maybe decide to treat yourself to something new when you have lost half a stone.

Enjoy where you are and who you are! Don't be defined by your weight and size. Work with what you've got!