Closet Shopping

[Mama Lake]

Greetings to everyone!
I have been on program for 6 weeks now, and lost 20 lbs in the first month. My daughter took the scale away from me because I was addicted to it. So, now after TOM was here to visit, I had to find something else to do one afternoon. I did not really change sizes the first month, my cloths were all fitting better, and looser.:applause: I decided to go Closet Shopping. That is what we call it around here when you dive deep into the back of your closet, or dresser, for those clothes that you always wanted to get back into, or bought with the intention of losing a few pounds to get into them. Well, guess what! I have almost a new wardrobe now without spending a dime. I found 6 pairs of pants, 6 blouses, 3 dresses, and numerous nities that fit again. I was excited beyond belief. I know that I have hit a plateau with my weight loss, but being able to fit into my old clothes is great. I have two more weeks before I weigh in again, and have set my goal for the second month at only 10lbs, but I am hoping for more. :praying: I did great the first month and know that my body will slow down. Any time I have dieted for any length of time, my body slows down really fast. I do not mind, because I can see that this is working and am happy to have whatever comes off, gone forever.

[Lauren]

Yay! How fun!!! Isn't that just the best?! Good for you not weighing yourself and choosing to see the results in your clothes instead. This diet is going to go faster than any diet you've done before, I'm sure, so hang in there--you've only just begun! I'm so happy for you! Keep up the great work! :)

[srwood]

That's great! I did the same myself this Friday. I think it says more than the scale. I have withheld the temptation from getting on mine. I think because it might not say what I want but the clothes say enough???
Keep up the good work!

Suzanne

[Mama Lake]

Thank you, yes, this diet is going pretty fast. I can not believe I am about half way thru the first 12 weeks. I figure it will take at least 2 rounds to get to my goal. I am focused and my daughter is very helpful. I am looking forward to next Saturday, it is half price day at my local Goodwill!! So, maybe a treat is instore for me there, something new and inexpensive.

[lfingers11]

Isn't it the best feeling? When I did this about a week ago I actually had to get rid of clothes that were too tight before I started the plan!! They were to big.
I also usually get at least one comment at work about how good I look. People are very negative when they ask and I say I have 25 (hopefully 20) more pounds to loose. They all say that is to thin for me. Urrr... What should I say when they ask how many more pounds I need to loose? I hate lying and I also hate explaining why I am loosing this much and they just don't understand.
Sorry to get off topic. Again, it is so much fun and I have hit goodwill a couple times. I actually bought a pair of Express 2's at Goodwill for 99 cents. I am not sure if I will get down to a 2 but what the heck. They were so cute and no wear on them at all. Have a great week!!
Pam

[Mama Lake]

About the amount still to lose, that is a personal issue for you and your doctor to decide. I just ask them how much they weigh, and then they usually back off. I made the decision to get healthy for me, not them. Most people are curious, yes, but when you fire the question back at them and make it personal they usually get uncomfortable and don't want to talk about it.

I have a friend who used to be anorexic, and is now at a healthy weight. She is an adult with two teenage children, but when people talk about weight, or how others look, she still has a terrible body image of herself. Julie, tends to have that mentallity of an anorexic at times, she says that the longer you go without eating the easier it becomes. Most of the time she eats normally, smaller portions still, but it seems like the amount that I have on my Cohen plan. So, as my friend, I watch her to make sure she does not skip meals and go into the old habit, but also, I have learned that weight is a personal issue, and even small, lean, healthly weight people have body image problems. Julie, does not own a scale, for her background issue, and very rarely talks about what size clothes she wears or how much she weighs.

So, for other people and what they think about how much you are losing, or need to lose, just point the finger back at them, and ask how much they weigh, what their BMI is, and what size clothes they wear.

Health is personal and it should stay that way.

I do have one pair of skinny pants in my closet from high school that I would like to eventually get into again, that will be my fantasy for now, but maybe a reality at the end of the Cohen lifestlye.

[SurferGirl]

Hi diet buddies, what great work you are all doing! I am so impressed! YAY for closet shopping! I have now gone through all my old clothes and I actually have to start buying new stuff. I love Goodwill! I keep telling myself that I will sell my old stuff on eBay, but that requires effort. And I seem to be procrastinating. LOL

Mama Lake, imagining throwing the question back at people, absolutely cracks me up. But really, it's true. Why all the sudden do people think they have a right to know how much we weigh or want to weigh? It's kind of weird. People at my work seem almost obsessed with the topic. Yesterday someone asked if I had my stomach stapled!?? I'm thrilled that I'm motivating others and that the changes are so noticeable but it does feel really uncomfortable having everyone in my business. Oh well, it's a small price to pay. As for the, you'll be too skinny comments. I kind of laugh to myself and think, me? too skinny? ya we'll see. It's so far from anything I've ever considered that it's pretty funny.

Rambling now but I have another thought...In the US most people are at least a little overweight and that is generally accepted. So what people may consider too skinny is actually maybe what we should consider normal?

Basically you are doing amazing and this is YOUR journey. It is no one else's business. If you don't want to share, don't. Tell them, that its personal and you don't feel comfortable sharing. And you just keep up the great work you are doing!

[Mama Lake]

Nothing new for me at the Goodwill, but I did go closet shopping again.

Everything in my closet either fits now, or I can at least get it on, but look like I was poured into my clothes. So, I guess I have several months worth of free clothing already in my closet. I arranged the clothes in what fits now and then the loosest to the snuggest, so I just keep reaching to the back for something new.

[Mama Lake]

Hi all,
I have been off plan for recovery and have worked back into plan about 95%. I still have an extra fruit and crackers, but weigh all my foods and am back on quanity limits. Go Me!!

I have had plenty of time to reorganize my closet, and yes, have gotten rid of some more clothes. I am holding steady at my weight loss, but hope to see that start to go down again, now that I am completely back on the program.

I went Christmas shopping for myself last night, and JCPenny was having a sale. I was happy, we lost our Penny's a few years ago. So, I tried on some corduroy pants, in my size 14, took the 12 to see how tight they would be, so I would buy them for Christmas and they would fit great by then. I HAD TO BUY THE SIZE...........10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! :party3:

I can even get them on and zip them up, I look poured into them, but they were on. What a feeling! :dance: So, I am pretty happy about Christmas coming, they are my new goal to have them fit great for Christmas. :weights:


Drink plenty of water everyone, it does help.
Cindy

[PhyllisRis]

Way to go Cindy!!!! Isn't that a great feeling to fit into something totally unexpected???
Congrats on recuperating and holding your own on the weight...you ROCK! Glad things are going well for you!!
Keep up the marvelous work!!
Phyllis

[lfingers11]

Cindy,
Glad you are back on plan and that extra fruit and crackers is not that much of difference. When I was having my dizzy spells they told me to have an extra apple a day.
Glad to hear about the new pants and a size 10 is great. Soon that will not fit!! Have a great weekend.
Pam

[Mama Lake]

Hi all!

I am still here and still on the plan. Doing so much better recently. I have gotten over letting things get in my way and have focused on myself and why I started this diet in the beginning. It has been like 10 full months and I am really looking forward to getting to the end.

WAY TO GO PHYLLIS!!! On to re-feed, that is really exciting.

I changed my full-time job, back to my more professional job and have to wear my nice clothes again. So, I went to the closet and took a look. Well, first I thought everything was still about the same since I really have not lost much more, like 10 pounds, so I thought the clothes would be ok. Well, wrong!!!

I put on a dress that looks like a potatoe sack!! I had to try on everything in the closet and the size range is incredible. Like from a 16, loose fit, in some pants to a size 10 silk blouse, to a size 10 dress and whatever. I am all over the place and everything fits. I also found 2 brand new suits that I have never even taken the tags off of, size 14, now way too big. I called Macy's and explained and they agreed to give me store credit. So, on Saturday, I took them back, got my credit, went shopping, and bought a black pinstriped, mint green strip, suit size 12!!!! and a slinky fitted dress for work, also size 12. I found an everyday tshirt, size small, got this in bright yellow, and only paid...... $4.88 for everything. I was super happy. :cloud9:

So, do not worry about the weight, the numbers, sometimes the way the clothes fit is the best measure as to what is happening with your body. I am not so concerned with little movement in the scale, because I have had great movement in the clothes.

Keep going and everything will balance out in the end.
Love to all,
Cindy

[Dayanira]

Oh Cindy!!!
So glad to hear from you!!! Have you updated your ticker? I know you said that you haven't lost much weight lately, but to go down to size 12...!!! Wow!

Isn't it exciting to go shopping for new sizes? No matter where, but to fit in smaller sizes it's just FANTASTIC!!

[Mama Lake]

Hi, I have not updated my ticker yet, I have to reup this weekend, so I will do it all then. Thanks for the praise.
Cindy

[firecat]

You are doing great. I love shopping in my closet! I too have found I can wear clothes I found too tight before. Its a wonderful think to have some clothes lose and some perfect.

[Dayanira]

Hi Cindy!
I wish you have had a wonderful birthday with your love ones!

{bdaycake} Here is at least a cyber cake for you!!!

Take care,

[Mama Lake]

Hi, Thank you, having a great day so far.