Strange reaction to buying smaller clothes :-(

Trutra
Trutra Posts: 131 Member
in Motivation and Support
I have lost about 42lbs so far, but still have a long way to go. For a few weeks now my jeans have been falling off me, so last weekend I went out and bought myself three new pairs of pants which were not one but TWO sizes smaller. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement, spent a lot of time looking at myself in the mirror, feeling so good about myself.
Now, heres the thing, I felt good on that day, I felt good on the Monday when I went to work in new clothes and everyone admired me. Since then, how do I feel? Fat and frumpy because now my clothes are not loose! They fit me properly, but instead of making me feel smaller they make me feel bigger :-( I know I should be feeling happy, but when I feel a waistband that fits instead of one that is huge for me I just feel huge! Anyone else ever feel this? How can I get that "thin" feeling back?
«1

Replies

  • sherisse69
    sherisse69 Posts: 795 Member
    I have lost about 42lbs so far, but still have a long way to go. For a few weeks now my jeans have been falling off me, so last weekend I went out and bought myself three new pairs of pants which were not one but TWO sizes smaller. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement, spent a lot of time looking at myself in the mirror, feeling so good about myself.
    Now, heres the thing, I felt good on that day, I felt good on the Monday when I went to work in new clothes and everyone admired me. Since then, how do I feel? Fat and frumpy because now my clothes are not loose! They fit me properly, but instead of making me feel smaller they make me feel bigger :-( I know I should be feeling happy, but when I feel a waistband that fits instead of one that is huge for me I just feel huge! Anyone else ever feel this? How can I get that "thin" feeling back?

    I have been there. I try to focus on how tight my body feels, on the lesser muffin tops, the decrease in jiggle. Focus on the changes and the positives. Stand tall and walk proud! :)
  • bmw4deb
    bmw4deb Posts: 1,324 Member
    Yep been there, just watch how quick the new ones get to big then you
    will really be PUMPED :)
  • Sharyn913
    Sharyn913 Posts: 777 Member
    Use that as motivation to continue your weight loss journey so that THOSE pants become too loose!
  • KittieLea
    KittieLea Posts: 1,156 Member
    I can relate. In my opinion, it takes awhile for your brain to adjust to your new body and the changes you've made. Just keep at it, everything will even out eventually. And congrats on being 2 sizes down! That's nothing to sneeze at my friend!
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
    Your not alone, just hang in there!!
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    I know, but just wait till your skinny pants start to sag. Then you will get that thrill all over again.
    It's good to buy cloths that fit along the way because we get used to feeling like we are done.
    Celebrate the new size and let it motivate you to shrink out of them. (unless you truely are done)
  • CricketWhiskers
    CricketWhiskers Posts: 64 Member
    Take a picture of yourself in the baggy clothes and take a picture of yourself in you fitting clothes, once you SEE how much thinner you look it should help you FEEL how great you look!
  • journalistjen
    journalistjen Posts: 265 Member
    You have what most of us have--body image issues. Sometimes you have to turn off your brain when it comes to looking at yourself. Stick with your plan and keep going. You can be smaller, but your brain's perception is not telling you that. Stay motivated and really believe and work toward your goals.
  • MissNations
    MissNations Posts: 513 Member
    Yeah, that really loose feeling is niiiiice. I've only gone down one size and I've kept the jeans in the bigger size and wear them sometimes. I would say you should probably wear the proper fit for work, but when you're at home on your own time, do what you want. :wink:
  • MsKeelah919
    MsKeelah919 Posts: 332 Member
    This boggles my mind, but somehow...I understand! I agree with taking some side by side pics. That should help!
  • JenniBaby85
    JenniBaby85 Posts: 855 Member
    I can understand that. I do prefer my clothes to feel loose around the belt line. But I must say, when I have pants the fit my properly, it makes my butt look hot! :wink:
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    I remember that feeling... and I remember when my new jeans got to big for me and I had to put them in a hot wash just to shrink them enough that they didn't fall off! Just one more thing for you to look forward too :)
  • sarahharmintx
    sarahharmintx Posts: 868 Member
    I had this same thought today. I just cant wait until these new ones fall off too!
  • littlelaura
    littlelaura Posts: 1,028 Member
    I went down from a 24 to an 18 and as exciting as that is, its still no where near my goal or how I want to look and it took time to adjust to the form fitting pants/tops, now 4 months later they feel as good as my old clothing, so give it time, you will enjoy it.
  • newmein2013
    newmein2013 Posts: 674 Member
    I actually have the opposite problem, but I've always liked wearing tight clothes. I really hate wearing loose clothes. I feel lost in the clothes & that the clothes are just covering fat, not me or my body, kind of like my body is all fat and nothing else. I'm just dying to wear clothes that fit properly. I can't wait to go clothes shopping and get the latest styles and not have to worry about whether or not the clothes will fit. I want jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses, coats, work out clothes. I want it all. Oh, and boots, I love wearing boots in the Fall! And when I do go clothes shopping, I am NOT buying anything with a stretchy waistband except the workout clothes.
  • jcstanton
    jcstanton Posts: 1,849 Member
    I agree with a previous comment that your brain has not yet adjusted. You've been so used to your clothes fitting loosely that it feels strange for them to be snug. It reminds you of how you felt when your old clothing was tight on you before you lost the weight. I guess you just have to keep telling yourself that you're NOT the same person you were. Also, it helps to make sure you look as nice as possible, not just in the way you dress, but also your hair and makeup. Try and remind yourself of the visual changes, and no matter how you are feeling mentally, ALWAYS carry yourself like you own the whole world. Somehow projecting confidence actually makes me feel more confident, too.
  • ShannonMarie81
    ShannonMarie81 Posts: 88
    Use that as motivation to continue your weight loss journey so that THOSE pants become too loose!

    Yes I agree with this!

    Use all of these feelings (the good and the bad ones) to keep motivating you and moving you forward!
    But then..you have to start talking to yourself in a postive way..and telling yourself how for you have come
    already..and how beautiful you are inside and out no matter what size you are...and start loving yourself
    at every single stage!
    Some people never are happy with themselves no matter what...and I have struggled with this..so start
    being happy and enjoying each stage...and then celebrate each new one that comes along as an accomplishment!

    Congrats on your weight loss so far...and keep up the great work! =)
  • jlwbeans0823
    jlwbeans0823 Posts: 178 Member
    You are not alone, I definitely relate. I wish I could snap out of it and feel good about my progress/changes.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    You get adjusted! I promise!

    I have been in limbo land for the past 2 months, with very small changes on the scale! I decided it was time to hunt down another pair of jeans! (One of my "goal" outfits was colored jeans, but I hadn't found any yet.).

    Well I went to the store to try on pants. And they were down one size compared to the pair I bought a month ago! They could be stretchier. Or fit differently, but I'll take it. (I have been basically shifting the same 3-4 pounds for the past 6 weeks.)
  • lois4468
    lois4468 Posts: 166 Member
    I have been purchasing some jeans at the Goodwill. Amazing how many good jeans you can get there. Anyway I started out at size 20, then got some 18s, 16s, 14s, and even some 12s. I got these on dollar day or at my local thrift store where stuff is only 50 cents. I buy the ones that look like new. As I get smaller I take them back and donate them, it's like renting clothes. Really helps with the budget and keeps the closet in check. So far I am now in the 14s. I noticed a couple were loose so tried a 12. Almost there. Since all my pants used to have elastic waists wearing jeans feels good. I still have a lot to lose but as I go down in jean size they are tighter and have a muffin top hanging over. But I tell myself how far I have come from a 20 down to a 14 even though they were tight. I still feel really good and even better as they get looser. Just remind yourself how far you have come. Good luck!!
  • britfout
    britfout Posts: 86 Member
    Yep it's a lose/lose situation it seems. I had to get new sz 5 jeans for work and while I was ecstatic that I fit into a 5 I felt like everyone could see everything!!! I wasnt protected by the loose baggy slacks I was wearing before. I know it looks much better to wear clothes that fit, but I found myself trying to stretch them out as well as my shirt so that it was loose on me... So weird. But agree with other posters use it as motivation to continue your journey, defeat this pant size and move on to the next! It's such a high walking out of a store with new smaller sized clothes!!
  • deedeehauge
    deedeehauge Posts: 6
    Yup! Been there! Actually, there now... stinks! Don't get discouraged, you are doing an amazing job!
  • MiaOrange
    MiaOrange Posts: 151 Member
    I don't like when my clothes are baggy. I think I eat more that way too, because I don't feel the tightness around my belly. Even drinking water and feeling the tightness reminds me to lighten up on eating. I haven't replaced the clothes since last summer and have been at a plateau, so I'm looking to get rid of the big stuff and get a couple of smaller sized pants.

    When I look in the mirror in the tighter, smaller clothes, I see the progress. When my clothes are too big, I look sloppy. I remember a couple people saying they keep the big clothes "just in case they gain all the weight back" I don't want to do that, so mentally I get rid of the clothes and commit to keeping the weight off.
  • gts175
    gts175 Posts: 38 Member
    You lost 42 pounds!!!! That is awesome. Dwell on that when in doubt. Many people who want to, are never able to make the commitment you have made and have such great success. I have had part of that same experience. What happens is when you wear clothes that fit, you look more the way we are supposed to look in our clothes. People just don't notice that as much.

    You are creating a new image of yourself in people's mind as "that person that looks like this". It is replacing the image of you as" the bigger person who lost some weight and now has baggy clothes". Try to EMBRACE THE NEW HEALTHIER IMAGE. Thin people just don't go around commenting on other's thinness very much and bigger people are often a little discouraged that they have not been able to accomplish what you have so, they won't continue to comment either.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    Keep losing weight the way you have been (and good job, by the way!). The NEW jeans will be loose soon enough.

    Awesome job! Keep it up!

    Remember, the day will come when you'll be over this need to conceal, because there won't be anything to conceal.

    The desire to conceal may persist long after the need is gone. This is normal, don't worry about it.
  • Trutra
    Trutra Posts: 131 Member
    Thanks for the support everyone. It does help. I am definitely glad I have come this far and will just try and relax and enjoy it. Plan on doing some photos tomorrow too.
    I dont intend to keep any of my big clothes at all, not planning on wearing them again! I may keep one for comparison, but that is it!
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    I know where you are coming from with that feeling too. I've also just gone down 2 trouser sizes but managed to get into a pair 3 sizes down so bought those instead. Although they are a cosy fit at the moment I didn't see the point in buying a size up and I'm using that tightness to remind myself I can't put any back on, they also make me look much smaller than the baggy ones! You will soon notice they are becoming looser and in the meantime you'll be showing a much smaller silhouette! Well done on your loss!
  • 2012asv
    2012asv Posts: 702 Member
    i know exactly what you mean. I bought some new pants as well and at first was SUPER happy and then didnt enjoy it as much cuz it felt like I was back to square 1- my roll is peeking out again! lol

    But I have to constantly remind myself, I am wearing size X now! this is great! Its all in our minds! Although I've dropped about 25 lbs I still feel like i look the same. I still see myself as I did before- it will take time! Hang in there!!! Know that we all go through these emotions, its part of the process :)

    Good luck!
  • YoshiZelda
    YoshiZelda Posts: 340 Member
    I feel like this too. Seems I prefer my pants loose because it makes me feel better lol. But continue your journey and you shall feel those pants loose once again!
  • NocturnalGirl
    NocturnalGirl Posts: 1,762
    First of all congrats on the weight loss! That's a great NSV. Do you tend to wear baggy clothes to hide your body? I think that could be the reason why you'd rather wear loose clothes. In reality, baggy clothes make people look bigger so think of it that way. You did great and keep telling yourself that you are thinner than you used to be, that's an achievement in itself. Stay positive! xx

Categories