No More

Avenue for me!  Today, I went in for new jeans because my size 18's were getting really big and droopy!  I thought I'd move to 16's but NO -- I bought the last 3 pair of size 14 jeans in the store -- and that's the smallest size they carry.  A few months ago, I went to a Catherine's sale to realize that nothing in the store fit me, and I had the same experience today at Avenue!  Oh MY.  I can still wear some tops at Lane Bryant, and I've been getting my bras there as well, but soon, I will be done with all the plus size stores. 

That is wonderful!  Keep up the good work.  I will be there soon.   I had my own WOW moment today.  I did a BMI calculation and I am no longer super morbidly obese just morbidley obese!  Sounds gross but that's 13 points since June 4, 2007!!!!  YEAH ME!   YEAH YOU!!!!!   Beth

WOW Beth -- 13 points in such a short amount of time!  I love it when my BMI falls into a new rating - that is a HUGE WOW moment! Congrats and keep up the good work!

That's really exciting!  Woohoo! I tried on some pants that a friend gave me (size 22), and I'm about five lbs away from fitting into them.  I haven't lost as much weight in my thighs as I have from the waist up, so the thought of even being able to get into a 22 pant is thrilling.  If I could wear a 14, I'd probably faint! Pretty soon, you'll need to shop at the 5-7-9 store (do they still have those in the malls?) Kix

YAY for you KIx!  It's always a good thing to get into a new size!  I am so surprised at how much I've managed to lose in my hips and thighs.  I have to measure them each week just to see that it is real.  At one point, I had hips that were 70 inches - now they are 44, and my thighs used to be 36inches - which is now my waist measurement.  My thighs are now 24 inches - a loss of 12 inches in each leg!  I'm thrilled that I've lost so much in my legs.  I am surprised that my calves are still as large as they are though.  At one time, they were 22 in. , but are now 18 1/4 -- still pretty big.  If my calves were smaller, I could fit into a smaller pant if I needed to - the calves is where they are snug. I'm also surprised at how different people with almost the same weight and almost the same height can be so different in size, proving that all of size and weight is individual and personal.  I am almost 5'6" - 5' 5 3/4" and 234lbs, and my friend who is 1/2" shorter and 10lbs lighter is bigger in all her measurements and sizes.  It is crazy to see the difference between people! I did see a dermatologist about the rash that I've been dealing with for 4months -- it is yeast, and is documented for future skin removal.  I was surprised that the nurse used the "normal" blood pressure cuff - the one for people less than 200 lbs.  She disconnected the large size cuff and put on the normal cuff, so she must have thought that by my appearance I was less than 200lbs - she never weighed me.  My b/p is 112/67 with the normal size cuff!  That was another WOW for me! 

Don't you love it!  I used to manage a Catherine's and I have to say, I am so please to never need to shop there again.  And I got some nice things there.  Now I get to go into any store and try on clothes.  I'll range from a small to a large depending on the item and brand.  But just to have the options is fantastic. Congratulations, Sally

You are so right about how nice it is to have options.  It is a little scary to me though shopping at a "regular" store.  I'm not sure what size I'll need, or even what might be good together because the choice is so much!  I know that sounds strange, but for years my only option was to order pants from a catalogue, then Catherines and other places began carrying larger pants/jeans so I could get them from a store, but my options were still limited.  Now, it is like giving up an old friend, but I will gladly do that!  I'm learning that I love Old Navy T-shirts cause they are longer length and I have a long torso.  I will now have to go out and try and find "new jeans" and experiment with the fit of different brands.  For so long, only Catherines would do for jeans, because I needed at 32 or 34.  After my surgery, my daughters took me to avenue for a pair of 24 denim lite jeans in a boot cut, and I've really loved those jeans for the past 7 months, and now I have to change again.  The exciting thing about this time in my life is all the change and all that I can do now!

Congratulations to all of you. Ladies you are my inspiration!!!

Thanks Jo!  I'm glad that sharing here helps others feel like they are going to make it.  Before long, you will be amazed at the changes in yourself as well.  It's mind blowing at times!  Little things begin to mean so much -- like when I could put the arm rest down in the car about 3 weeks after surgery, or the feeling of panic when going into a movie theater because I didn't bring my hoodie with me and now I'm always cold -- when before the panic would be -- will I fit in the seat!  Enjoy this season cause it is fun to discover all you can do again!

Congratulations, Jennie!!!!