Anybody overweight for a long time have this problem? (clothes)

It's a good problem to have, I guess.  I just wonder if it's only me.

I've been big my entire life 250+ (currently 280).  I started here at 305 in April.  Losing 25 pounds has changed my body somewhat and others noticed it before I did. When I started really seeing the difference in how my clothes fit, I was more happy than even seeing the numbers on the scale.  

My problem is buying new clothes.  Even though my old 24s are very big on me now, and my 22s are getting looser, I will go to the store and go right for that size anyway.  Today I tried on a pair of pants size 20 and they fit, but I still didn't buy them.  I think it's more of a fear that I'll go back to how I was, and don't totally trust that the weight will stay off.

It's really weird, because once I made the decision to start eating healthier and exercising it came easy to me, but as soon as I start seeing the results I get scared.

I don't know if I'm being clear or not, just hoping someone gets what I'm talking about.

And you start sabotaging yourself?  Not really wanting to, but still, you do? 

There is nothing as great as wearing clothes that fit you, especially when you are loosing weight.

Go get 'em Babe

Yeah vklamorick, sort of.  That's  kinda what is going through my head, like -- I'm just gonna be that size again, so what's the use?

It's like I'm fighting myself -- one side wanting and knowing I have to change and the other saying it's not possible so why try -- even though I've had some success, so far.

Right now the good side is winning, I just want it to stay that way

I can totally relate to that voice telling me, "Nice try, but it'll never work."  The key is to keep pushing that voice to the side.  How about you go and buy just 1 pair of pants.  See how it feels to wear them and then decide if you want more.  It makes sense, too, because when you lose more weight, trying to wear the size 22 or 24 won't work.  I have faith in you :)

I get that too.  I might be I'm worried that when/if I hit a plateau that I won't have the strength to fight through the little voice.  I'm excited about my progress too so far but the nag is just there.  Is it a fear of a plateau or it also could be a fear of the unknown?  I'm trying to figure out which myself.

You should go back and get it.  That way you can focus on making that one loose and when you need the next size down get another and focus on getting that one loose...and so on.  Each time you go down, get rid of the same quantity you added but from the higher end.  Buy a 20, put/give away a size 24.  I did that about a month or so ago and my new ones are getting loose.  It's sort of my positive reinforcement for myself.

mathwiz37 -

About 50 pounds overweight when I began here.  But what I wanted to say to you is what you are doing here is a lifestyle change.  Not just a diet.  It takes time to make the changes but have faith in yourself.  The time here goes by very quickly. If you just take it one day at a time, you should be fine.  Everyone has shaky days and plateaus.  They do pass.  Once you start feeding your body right and gradually adding exercise, and it doesn't have to be ass busting exercise, the weight will keep coming off.  It's like a mathmatical equation really.

I only lose a pound a week now, not fast but it is still losing! Sometimes I would still wear a size 14 even though I am in a 10 now because it was just easier somehow to do that. Then some really insensitive person I work with told me to hang on to my bigger clothes because I would gain it back eventually, that all dieters do. Well, that made me angry enough that I came home and packed up all of those clothes. Kept a few of the 12's because they still work for me. I am self conscious, not a natural flaunter.  Perhaps you just don't feel comfortable flaunting either because you have been in a larger size and you are used to it.  Try one thing different at a time. Small changes. You'll get there :)

As soon as I could fit into a size 18, I freecycled my 20-22 clothes.  I do not ever want to wear that size again and giving my clothes away tells me that have to continue on this journey.  As soon as I am in a 16, I am going to freecycle my 18s. 
I am so looking forward to going to the resale shops to buy size 16 clothes.  I am buying a new clothes when I have reached my goal.
I am afraid of gaining back the weight.  Having no fat clothes is the incentive to follow this path and not return to my old habits.
BTW six months ago I had 22-20-18 in my very full closet.  Today I have only clothes that fit me and lots of room.
Have faith in yourself!

Buy the clothes that fit you now. If they start to feel a little snug over time, see that as a positive message, a kindly reminder that you need to get back on track. Keeping weight off is a long term task!

Having a little "red flag" to help you notice when you're gaining weight back is effective in helping people keep weight off--there was a study where people had suddenly lost weight (due to having their jaws wired shut). On half the people, they had a string tied around their waist that fit just right. When they started to gain back weight, the string got too tight. Only the people with the string kept the weight off over the long term.

I have a friend who needed to lose weight (for a wedding), so she bought a bunch of shirts one size too small as a reminder of how she wanted to work toward her goal.

Oh, I was just thinking about this earlier today! I was looking through my closet, thoroughly depressed as I spied the clothes I was too big to fit in, BUT, my mood lifted significantly when I found clothes that fit me, and fit me well. You should go for the pants! Nothing makes you feel better like slipping on a pair of jeans that fit!

You're strong enough to get through this; you'll be able to get down to your goal and stay there, because you're worthy! Keep a pair of your older pants for a reminder, but you should definitely go and buy the size 20. It'll make you feel great, knowing that your hard work is paying off, in those jeans you wouldn't have been able to fit into months ago.

I have pants that are too big on me, that I plan on trashing as soon as I can, because I never want to go back to where I was; it was a bad place, and the road is looking brighter with each step in the right direction. :-D I can't wait to go and buy new clothes, it's an awesome motivator. Keep up the hard work, you're doing great!

:-D

I held onto my old clothes as long as I could, but it got to the point that they were so big on me that they looked unprofessional - I can get away with wearing clothes a size too big, but they're all 2-3 sizes off. So I'm keeping everything for now, but putting them into a box in storage. Most of my old work clothes were men's 30s and 32s, so once I've kept the weight off for a few months and convinced myself it's staying off, I'm giving them to my brother. Probably not his style, but he'll need them for church/interviews/etc. anyway and hey, they're free.

Hey everybody,   Thanks for the support and encouragement in a weak moment.  That is really the beauty of this website, where before I would think I was totally alone.

I do like the idea of buying something in my new size and giving away something in  my old size.  That would probably help me be more comfortable with the change. 

Thanks again to everybody for some good ideas and great advice.

First of all, congrats on dropping sizes, it's always a great feeling. =)

I know how you feel though. I started at a size 20, went down to an 18 fast after exercising but not even two months of having 18s I needed 16s. Now I am a size 14. I think I'm going to put off buying new pants until I'm a size 10 which I hope will be around the time school starts back up.

You've done so well so far so I would get the 20s if I were you. As a little reward maybe?

Give the clothes away. Keep one pair of pants in case People Magazine calls and they want you on their cover, but give the rest away. To a charity at least three towns over.
Seriously, though, keeping one might be a motivating factor rather than a sabotaging factor, but it seems to me keeping all your larger clothes around tricks you into thinking you're still living you're old life while you've clearly embarked on your new one. Congratulations, and when the self-doubt hits you, hit it back. Hard.

oh , I totally understand the self sabotage!!  I am one that USED TO "look " for the people noticing....got upset when they didn't.  BUT sabotaged myself when they did!!  Man, what warfare in my head!! 

I am slowly realizing that it's okay if they do notice, and okay if they don't.  This is all about me!!!  :)

You are sooo worth the effort!!  Congrats on losses so far!!  That is awesome!! 

Go to yard sales and resale shops. Bring in our larger clothes for others who don't have money to buy at a discount or have your own large person garage sale. What a gift to others.

I have lost 79 lbs since starting and have been going to resale shops, thrift stores, etc and getting nearly new clothing which encourages me in the process. Go girl...

There was a thred that was posted today about motivational quotes.  ONe of the quotes said "Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'" 

The quote goes on from there, but i can relate so much.  Its scarier to be the best that I can be, to venture into the unknown.  I know what its like to fat, i've been there for almost 20 years.  To venture into unknown territory, being healthy, beautiful, and having confidence is scary.

For me its not so much that i'm afraid i'm just going to go right back to being fat, its that looking good can be really scary.  Its so hard to put into words.  I can tell myself I deserve to look good, but can I really handle it?

I have the same problem as you. I always go back to the 24's when I'm definitley a 22 now. I'm terrified to have to go shopping again if keep losing this weight.   If you ever want to chat, drop me a line. Email address is in the profile as well.