HerStrawberri's Journal, 13 May 2012

It gets easier - and keep this as a reminder of what you want to accomplish. It took me a long time to drop from 18 to 16 and 14 (maybe 25 lbs to drop each). After 14, the sizes are closer together and doesn't take as long to drop a size.  

Oh my dear - 18 is great! I still cannot wear my size 18 jeans and it is my next goal. Please be happy - don't compare yourself to anyone else or register your worth on a clithing size. You have accomplished so much already. HCB 

You have lost a TON of weight...be proud of yourself! Rock the size 18 and remember where you came from! Go find the size you started at and put those on, then put your current size on and see how great you're doing.  

Sorry you feel bummed by the shopping trip. I think you have done an amazing job so far. You should try to take the time to really appreciate your progress. Losing over a hundred pounds is nothing to sneeze at, and so what if you are an 18 right now. That's just now, not forever. You will get to the lower sizes soon enough. Hang in there Dawn. It may suck now, but this will pass and then you will have an even greater triumph because of the perseverance you demonstrated in the here and now. 

Thank you all so much! I really appreciate all of your kind words! i will get over this. =) 

It's too bad the shopping trip didn't go the way you wanted. Just remember that an 18 isn't a 20 and in no time at all you'll be a 16. Each size is a stepping stone and you've already dropped so many. 

Dawn, I so understand how you feel. When I start to feel that way, I remember what size I wore when I started...that usually helps change my state of mind! You have done an amazing job so far...keep it up, that 16 will come, sooner rather than later! :) 

Hey, I get it, I also need to go shopping and I don't want to. I get mad when I think I should fit in something and I don't. But, like they are saying, look back where you came from and how those cloths would look on you today. 

You guys are SO great! I was really happy i was able to wear an 18, and it wasn't really even the size that was upsetting me. I just felt so fat in all the clothes. My mind plays horrible tricks on me. My poor Gf didn't know what to do. She was so excited to get clothes for me...and my stupid insecurities ruined it. =( I'm really going to work on it. I did buy one pair of capris and a shirt, both of which fit me really well and aren't 4 sizes too big. maybe that's what it is? I'm so used to clothes being so big on me and when i actually wear something that fits me...it freaks me out?? LOL. I'm going to work on this. I woke up today with a new attitude about the whole thing. Granted that's TODAY, but it's a step in the right direction. =) I guess I have to go through the whole thing again next weekend. LOL. BUT maybe if I continue to go it will help my anxiety and distorted body image. I feel bad complaining because so many others are dealing with worse issues....but this is MY issue and to me, it's a big deal because I need to stop this or when I do get to my goal...that won't be good enough and THAT will be a whole new set of issues. LOL. Thank you ALL again!!! 

i get the same way... i am back into my perfect fitting size 10s and it made me feel fat b/c i was accustomed to the super big 14s and the too loose 12s... totally understand. and as women we ALWAYS see room for improvement... everyone's already said it all, but what i will tell you is that at my highest weight (233) i was getting into a 22.. so an 18 is amazing... :) 

Knowing this about yourself is a great start to overcoming it. I am not sure I would have the same level of self-assessment. I do remember seeing 2 different episodes of "What Not To Wear" that opened my eyes. One was about how wearing clothes that are too tight makes you look heavier and the other was about wearing clothes that are too big also makes you look heavier. They had a visual exercise in both that clearly showed how this was true. I guess it's easier to tell on other people than on yourself. I never feel objective when looking in the mirror. That's why I always bring someone with me when clothes shopping and subject them to my insecurities, lol! I guess that's what friends are for and hopefully I can return the favor some days. What I really worry about is when I am in a size where I don't HAVE to buy my clothes at places like Lane Bryant or The Avenue, I will have to determine what fashions to wear on my own, rather than have them dictated to me by availability, lol. 

@Erin What you said about buying clothes at regular stores is so interesting because we went into Old navy, which is considered a 'reg' store and i was able to buy my capris and shirt and at first i was like...nothing is going to fit and all of this but when it DID, at first i felt good then all of the sudden this weird feeling came over me and now that i think about it...maybe I started to get anxiety because they stuff fit and I haven't been in a 'reg' store buying clothes for myself in YEARS. I really think when you are bigger, you already know what stores you can go into and usually the other people in there look like you...in 'reg' stores....all kinds of people are in there and there are so many options vs limited options in larger women stores. It's just so much!!! =) It's crazy what we do to ourselves in regards to anxiety. i even went so far to start making comments to my GF that the other people were prob wondering why this fat girl was in their store. SO HORRIBLE!! I would be so upset if someone was saying that stuff about themselves....but why is ok for me to say it to myself?? Interesting...i will ponder all of this after Thursday when I'm done with finals. =) Thanks you ALL SO MUCH!! 

Some of the clothes in "reg" stores fit me and I always feel like people are wondering "why this fat girl was in their store" too :) Glad we are not alone in this...You have come so far and are an inspiration to those of us that are just starting out! 

I feel the same way. My GF gets excited to seem that certain things fit and I just feel FAT! It happens but we need to always keep our heads up and remember we are no in it alone. You are for sure an inspiration to alot of us. 

Oh Dawn, you're doing AMAZING. You're not even buying "big girl" clothes anymore. This is a whole new place. It's definitely a mind game. Be kind to yourself, girl. You have achieved GREAT things. HUGS!