Answer to Landsend Stinks

Hi there, Donna B.  posted to me and gave me the following Vitual Model website that really works.  So now I guess I have to take back all the nasty things I said about you know who.  I'm sorry, I won't do it again Imus.  Here is the site  http://www.mvm.com/en/index.htm   Now there is no excuse to not look at my body.  Diane H. 

I swore when I was "heavy" that I would never shop in Kohl's because they didn't have plus sizes. Land's End and LL Bean were somewhat problematic, but they at least tried by carrying plus sizes. (After all, their target shopper is someone who is athletic, outdoorsy, on the go  and probably not overweight) But they at least carried the larger sizes.  That all changed the minute I shrunk out of the "W" size. You know--24W, 22W, 20W, 18W, 16W. I needed a nice outfit for a neice's bridal shower. So I went to Coldwater Creek (another catalog that at least tried by carrying plus sizes) to see what they had. Keep in mind that this was the first time I voluntarily went shopping (without my hubby dragging me to the store because my fat clothes were all getting ratty) in many many years. I absolutely hated clothes shopping because of the way I looked in the mirror and the way it made me feel. So, long story short:  4 outfits, 5 pairs of shoes, and 3 stores later I was done. Don't even ask how much I spent that day. I figure I was making up for lost time   Hubby, bless his heart, just chuckled and was tickled at how good this made me feel. Anyway, this is quite a ramble, but hang in there. It will get better. And the feeling you'll get when you get into one of those Land's End bathing suits will make up for anything they made you feel along the way. After that, maybe, is the time to educate and try to change the attitudes of some of these stores. I feel:  don't punish yourself because they're  stoopid. And hey! We all don't like our bodies, especially when we "don't look our best". But that's how we are at that given time in our lives. Just look at my wedding picture--heavier, glasses, unflattering hairstyle, but still hanging on the wall. It all goes into making us who we are, Chris 

Every word you say is true.  Thanks for the support.  My, you really have done well with you weight and you are almost there.  Yeah.  I have lost 35 lb since Nov 21, 06.  I lose slow but steady and am anxious to lose the rest.  I have to talk to myself.  Today I am going to clear my closet of my larger clothes and I think I will be doing only a little bit of shopping to get through the summer if that every happens around this parts.  (Maryland)  It's cold here.  I just can't wait to have a whole new wardrobe.  I told hubby that I was going to New York City to shop someday after the weight is off.  Thanks again Chris.  Diane H.

You know what they say: slow and steady wins the race. Personally, I'd rather lose it slower and keep it off and be healthier than losing it too fast. Now about that closet---get rid of those "FAT" clothes (I can use words like fat and obese now--wouldn't dream of it before) and get some new spring stuff. A word of advice for the budget if I may : just buy one or two of whatever you need. Don't get a whole closet-ful. You'll be shrinking out of the new ones faster than you can say "Hey my clothes don't fit anymore. Yay!" That New York trip sounds like a really good idea. Hmmmmmm Chris

My Kohl's carries Plus it is one of my favorite places to shop. I wonder if some carry it and others don't. I think 90% of my wardrobe is from Kohl's. They even carry some of my favorite Plus NightGowns. I wonder why some do and some don't? How weird? Amanda

I lose very slow myself but I guess thats ok at least its coming off me so thats a plus.  I have a problem finding clothes.  I am small on the top but big on the botton and back (butt) if you know what i mean.  If I find something that fits my hips it falls off my waist.  What a mess.  I have a problem shopping also.  I hold on to my old clothes like they are some type of badge of courage or something.  I finally stopped wearing them because the girls at work were talking about me so bad cause I had pins holding up everything but my stockings.  So I finally went out and bought a few new things because it was just awful.  I wear a 26 now.  All of my clothes were from 30 to 34.  You can imagine what I looked like.  The girl at work said I looked like I was wearing choir robes for shirts.  Then when I walzted in there with my new clothes on they were like snatching up my shirt hollering look and she has not one pin in there.  They got a big kick off me that day.  I guess you never think people pay attention to that stuff.  I still can't shop in any of the stores you mention.  To much booty in the pants still.  It gets better though.  I find myself looking at my body all the time now and even though I criticize myself still.  I say you know we are really gonna work hard on that area.  So my critic of myself now is totally different from the way it used to be.  Now I want to fix it and not just hide it.  Cause in the end even if no one else knows its there, heck I do so who you hiding from lol. Myself.  Not.   Oh well I have started rambling but I read your first post and it got me thinking.  And then I read this one so I said let me put my 2 cents in.  Hope soon you will be dancing naked in the mirror. Love Lynn

It 's nice that the girls at work recognize your efforts at weight loss.  It's so nice to get that support.  When you said "I guess you never think people pay attention to that stuff" it really struck a cord.  When I think about how I see a change or notice a difference with people most of the time it only registers on my brain but I don't say anything.  It has to reoccur several times for me to vocalize.  Well, I guess that says people really do notice.   I'd better watch my p's and q's.  As for that dancing in the mirror naked, that one scares the pants off me.  Have a get day Lynn.  Diane H.

My Kohls also carries plus size clothing

I just spent five minutes watching my "model" aka ME go from my highest weight to what I am right now!  Then turning the model and looking at it from all angles!  I AM A FRUITCAKE!!  It was fun though!  And I don't have to put on any weight to remember what I looked like.  MAN IS THERE A DIFFERENCE!! THANKS FOR THE POST!! K

I love Coldwater Creek, probably because it is an Idaho company and I own some stock in it...tiny bit :) but they have a great outlet store....I love going there when I get the chance...quite a drive but worth it.  They are located in Sandpoint, Idaho.  They have beautiful clothes. Dee