Apr
Part of the fun of losing weight is shrinking out of your current wardrobe. Here’s the problem, though. Most of us hang onto our “fat” clothes even after we’ve lost the weight. Why? Well, there are a couple of reasons. Let’s take a look at the two most common.
You don’t want to buy new clothes until you’ve reached your “perfect weight”
I completely understand the logic behind this one. After all, what’s the point of spending money on new clothes if you are just going to lose more weight, right?
The problem is, though, that until you reach your ideal weight you wind up schlepping around in baggy clothes that don’t flatter you in the least. That means that not only do you start looking dumpy, but you start feeling dumpy, too.
One of the great motivators to keep losing weight is when you start loving the changes you are seeing in your body. By hiding your new body away under clothes that don’t fit you take away a lot of that motivation.
If, however, you dress the body you have right now, not only will you look better, but you will feel better and have more motivation to keep going with your weight loss efforts as well.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to look great either. Try selling your old clothes on eBay or at a local consignment shop. Use the money you earn to pick up some new used clothes in a smaller size. You can find terrific bargains on clothing online, at consignment stores, or even at thrift stores. Just keep changing out your wardrobe with new pieces as you get smaller.
Or, you can take your current pieces to a tailor and have them altered for less than you might think. Granted, this won’t work if you have lost a ton of weight, but if the pieces are just slightly too big and baggy, get them taken in to compliment your new shape. Call around for some quotes and see if alterations might fit into your budget.
You want to hold onto them just in case you put the weight back on.
The second reason that most of us hang onto “fat” clothes is because in the back of our minds we are afraid we will put the weight back on.
Holding onto clothes “just in case” is setting yourself up for failure. Remember, when you lose weight in a healthy way and learn new eating habits you are losing the weight for good.
Having those clothes in your closet is like giving yourself permission to gain the weight back. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get rid of them.
Find beautiful clothes that fit you and that make you feel wonderful about yourself. Get rid of all the old baggage instead of stashing it away in the back of your closet. Accept that this time when you lose the weight it is going to be for good so there is no reason to keep those clothes around anymore. All they are is a reminder of a time when you weren’t happy with your body.
By wearing clothes that fit you just the way you are and letting go of clothes that don’t fit you are acknowledging your accomplishments, respecting yourself and sending yourself a message that you plan to keep the weight off for good.
