Zipped it! A Halloween costume success story with pics

sweetsknit3 · October 2014

Last year for Halloween I wanted to wear a dress. I'd worn it before, in high school, and again shortly after I got married, so I didn't really think about silly technicalities like, hey, you've had two children, perhaps this dress no longer fits?

A few days before my work Halloween party, my darling husband suggested I try the dress on. Sure why not? I slipped it over my head, tugged and strained it over my hips, and then asked to be zipped up.

"Um," my husband said, obviously trying to think of the right thing to say. "I don't think so."

"What?" So. Much. Denial.

"I don't want to rip your dress."

My mother suggested rigging up some kind of corset type thing for the back instead of zipping it, but that ended with me dramatically pulling it off (well, it would have been dramatic if I hadn't gotten stuck and needed some more help), having a bit of a cry, and then figuring out another costume. I settled for a scarecrow - hardly any visible skin:

Halloween 2013 by duckies_in_a_row, on Flickr

I'm smiling, but I wasn't thrilled. I weighed 213 pounds, couldn't wear my dress, had stress fractures in my feet from my second pregnancy that weren't healing because of my size, and I was no longer treating my family members well just because I hated what I was doing to myself.

Enter a doctor who flat out told me to lose 50 pounds and a horribly embarrassing incident involving being weighed in front of a bunch of strangers for a horseback riding thing (the ONLY one weighed, and then charged an extra $10, and then given a Belgian to ride to accommodate my bulk). Enough!

I joined MFP, started running, started yoga, behaved myself. As Halloween approached again, I wondered about the dress. A few days ago, I tried it on again. And . . . it zipped! Easily.

I now weigh 158 - not to my goal yet, but lower than I've been in years. I no longer walk in pain. My body and I are becoming friends again, and I'm much less hostile toward the people I love. The dress is not the end, but I'm very happy with how I've changed. Much better with more improvement to come. Happy Halloween!

Halloween 2014 by duckies_in_a_row, on Flickr

hollwoods · October 2014

Thanks for sharing. Sorry about your embarrassing incident, that was one of my biggest fears when I was at my heaviest. You look stunning!

jennifurballs · October 2014

Way cool and an entertaining read! Congratulations!!!

LauraPa1mer · October 2014

Lol - you are hilarious!! That's so awesome about the dress! You look fabulous.

Kate7294 · October 2014

Great job! The dress is great.

ajalcazar84 · October 2014

That is awesome. You look fabulous. I tried to dress in drag as a dare for one Halloween a few years back and I didn't fit in that dress so I can sort of understand where you are coming from. Being that it was my only time to ever try on a dress, it didn't really phase me but Ive had my own incidents. Keep up the great work.

april32many · October 2014

Great job! You look fabulous and all your hard work has paid off. That must feel incredible. I have an entire closet full of clothes that won't zip until I lose 30 lbs:( So, I'm taking baby steps. Congratulations on being many steps closer to feeling like the optimal YOU!!!!

Rosie5151 · October 2014

Great job! You look wonderful! Congrat to you!

nighthawk327 · October 2014

Well done! Loving that outfit

chesnity3 · October 2014

Great job!

arditarose · October 2014

oh this is a fun one. I never post on these. Good job!

GSXRGIRL61 · October 2014

Wonderful narrative! I really enjoyed it, but more importantly, I enjoy seeing your success! You look amazing!

shipsmommy · October 2014

Great job and you look lovely in your beautiful dress.

srsly · October 2014

YAY for getting into the dress. Love the costume! Red is definitely a good color for you.

zombie_meg · October 2014

Great job! You look beautiful!

hoyalawya2003 · October 2014

I almost spewed my coffee when I got to the part about the Belgian--good for you for keeping a sense of humor. Amazing how skewed our perceptions can be, huh? You look great in that dress--congrats!