Just do it- throw out the fat clothes

I have to agree...i think keeping your old clothes gives you a safety net to gain a little and not worry about having no clothes to wear....I'm not where I want to be in order to really go crazy buying clothes but i've bought a few b/c none of my old ones looked ok..i had worn things 2 sizes too big for a long time and now they look ridiculous

So i donated my entire closet except for the few new tops and pants that i just bought and I'm telling you it makes me that much more committed to never go back to those sizes!!

Thanks for the post!

Well, since I am the one who posted about keeping clothes, it makes sense for me to comment.

This will sound as if I am boasting, which is not my intention. But to explain myself (which I am choosing to do - no one could force me, of course) I need to give some context.

I adhere (99% of the time) to one of the most rigid programs of any I read on this board. I eat between 450 - 520 cal per day at 7 months out.

I don't post about needing to get back on track because I don't need to.

I don't get that rush of adrenaline from dropping sizes one after another because I lose slowly BUT - I still tow the line and wait it out - because I am devoted to my plan for success.

So you can imagine my reaction when I found myself very hesitant to get rid of some of my clothes.

I was in therapy for several years and my therapist and I agreed that I no longer had much to learn in therapy, so after month 2 post op our relationship ended.

This clothing issue nearly sent me back to therapy - but I came to a decision I am at peace with. The clothes are packed away in the garage. I can't find one morning that my pants are tight and simply pull them out - they are not easily accessible, and I could not mindlessly reach for them.

This is the only issue I have stumbled around and I don't take it lightly. However, I am not one to be self critical or beat up on myself. This is something that is right for me to do - and for reasons I can't fully explain because I don't understand it. I don't expect anyone else to understand it either - but that isn't necessary.

I know you mean well, so please don't be offended. But....this is something for me, alone, to work through in my own space and time.

Annie

You've hit the nail on the head right here:  "this is something for me, alone, to work through in my own space and time."

Isn't that how this journey is supposed to work for each one of us--in our own space and time?  You are doing what you need to do to take care of yourself.  *hugs*

Thank you.

A

Hi Annie,

I am totally good with you being at peace with keeping them.  I am still confused on why you need to keep them though.  Certainly there is no need to explain because I understand that we each have our own reasons and our own journey.  

For me, initially I was holding on to them for that just in case scenario, and it took me a while to get comfortable with trusting myself enough to rid myself of them.  I was very surprised at how liberating it was to clean out my closet.  I had several sizes of complete wardrobes and there was just something really fantastic about simplifying my closet.  Something better about finally being ready to let them go and donate them to a good cause.  

Of course since then I have entirely managed to refill the darn closet with more than I need.  I think that is therapy for a different day for me.  

I am confused about why I want to keep them too. It IS very liberating to clean out my closet - which is why they go to the garage. I consider them banished and don't think about them ever. They are only allowed to stay one year, then they will go.

I have to get to know this new person...it will take awhile. Then, when it feels right and safe to do - the clothes will go.

A

Annie, it's your psyche, your clothes, your body, your garage.  Do whatever you want.  We don't always have to have "good" reasons for doing what we want.  Nor do we have to understand it or explain it.  No one is getting hurt over this.

I love getting rid of fat clothes. I have a much harder time getting rid of my inner fat girl.  She is a tenacious *****

Thanks for the support, Mary. Yeah, that inner fat girl is intriguing. I have empathy for her and try to approach her with gentle hands.

She and I can co-exist for awhile as long as she knows she's not driving the bus.

A

Love the driving the bus comment!

BTW - it's definitely not fat clothes, overall, that I am keeping. When I got surgery, I had a full 9 clothing sizes in my closet. I was wearing the largest of them.

I am now down to to the 4th smallest size and I am keeping some of size #5 - nothing larger. I never got rid of those tiny clothes either - and I don't need to buy anything at all. I have crazy awesome clothes. So I don't need to find skinny clothes I love - my closet is full of them.

I have never seen maintenance in all my life. I could grit my teeth and insist there is no way I could fail, but saying that wouldn't make it so. Getting rid of the clothes isn't what will make or break me - its my dedication to success. I am far too strong to fall temptation to eat wrong just because clothes are available. I can afford to buy new fat clothes if I need them.

We are complex creatures and sometimes we have to dig deep to look at ourselves. I am doing so in as kind and caring a way as I can muster. Don't worry about me. Those clothes in my garage are not key to my success. It is simply a compassionate way to deal with the strong reaction I had to getting rid of them.

A