what is wrong with me

Sinnettfamily
Sinnettfamily Posts: 79 Member
edited September 18 in Motivation and Support
Okay so my husband was being nice and took me out shoping since all of my clothes don't fit me (to big) and what do I do. I freak out when I go. I started having a panic attack and couldn't even shop, we left early with nothing. Why am I so scared to go shoping and finding clothes to wear? Sorry this is a weird thing to be nervous about, and really I don't understand it at all either. Just wondering if anyone had that happen when going down sizes. I am not at my goal weight but close and sooner or later I am going to have to go shoping.

Replies

  • Sinnettfamily
    Sinnettfamily Posts: 79 Member
    Okay so my husband was being nice and took me out shoping since all of my clothes don't fit me (to big) and what do I do. I freak out when I go. I started having a panic attack and couldn't even shop, we left early with nothing. Why am I so scared to go shoping and finding clothes to wear? Sorry this is a weird thing to be nervous about, and really I don't understand it at all either. Just wondering if anyone had that happen when going down sizes. I am not at my goal weight but close and sooner or later I am going to have to go shoping.
  • GemFB
    GemFB Posts: 104 Member
    See even at my bigger size (9-11 pants and xl tops) I love to shop. I just avoid letting myself feel bad about it...When I was small you couldn't keep me out! I panic now because I am still over weight and it freaks me out when I try something on and it looks "bloopy".
  • beep
    beep Posts: 1,242 Member
    Sounds like you need to watch a few episodes of "What Not to Wear." They have drilled into my brain to "dress the body you have" not the body you want to have or the body you used to have. Buy good clothes that can be taken in.
  • yellow_pepper
    yellow_pepper Posts: 708 Member
    That is a very powerful response ... Do you feel self-conscious about trying on clothes? It takes a while for our mind to catch up with our weight loss. Or perhaps you do not fully believe your success yet?

    After losing 20 pounds in my sophomore year of college, it took me a while to realize that I was not overweight anymore. I still felt that my old body was just squeezed very tightly into my new body, and that it could explode out at any minute if I let down my guard.

    And at the clothing store, this did translate into being very conservative about what I tried on - starting with my old size and working down. The most shocking day for me was already 6 years ago, when I tried on a skirt in Banana Republic, and I fit in a zero. (That was the year that they made size 00, XXS and XXXS to compensate for making the other sizes bigger.)

    If you reach your goal weight but you're still not ready to hit the mall, and you LIKE your old clothing, consider going to a tailor (or the dry-cleaner) who can make your old (or new) clothes fit perfectly. I buy shirts bigger to fit my arms and chest and have my dry-cleaner take in the waist. (I learned this from seeing my mother taper my father's shirt waists growing up.) It saves money and looks better than clothes cut to a mannequin's proportions instead of my own!
  • Sinnettfamily
    Sinnettfamily Posts: 79 Member
    Thank you I do think that my mind hasn't caught up to my weight loss. It has been on for so long that now that I lost it, I still see my old body peaking around the corner. Thank you for the support and the good ideas! Maybe I will try again tomorrow! :)
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,788 Member
    Make sure you have a plan to deal with your panic attack before it hits. The most common phobia, my shrink told me, is agoraphobia. I know what unreasonable fear is and wouldn't wish that on anyone.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,421 Member
    Make sure you have a plan to deal with your panic attack before it hits. The most common phobia, my shrink told me, is agoraphobia. I know what unreasonable fear is and wouldn't wish that on anyone.

    Mary, "better living through chemistry" :laugh: Okay, I know some people don't like to take anti-anxiety meds, but they changed my life. Or, rather; I now HAVE a life :wink:

    cm
  • lotusfromthemud
    lotusfromthemud Posts: 5,335 Member
    I had the same problem, and still hate to shop.

    I'm so jealous of that show where you get to shop with Tim Gunn from "Project Runway". Please, God, someone help me. . .I have no idea what to wear for my new body. (I find I gravitate toward what I wore in high school (minus the neon. . .)since it's the only time I've been close to this size.

    There's a great website called "myshape.com". I can't order anything off of it, because it's states only, but I used it as a tool. You put in all your measurements, and it tells you what shape you are and what will look flattering on you. Mostly, just knowing the neighborhood of what size I was in the store I was going to helped. Most stores have websites with sizing charts, so you have an idea of what to get off the rack.I now actually have an index card I take shopping that reminds me. In this store, I need a large shirt, in another store across the way I need a small. . .it's enough to make anyone panic, truly.

    Also, I think I'm going to start buying shirts and getting them tailored (thanks for the tip...) I've been living in things that stretch. ..

    I never go shopping without a plan (I never do anything without a plan. . .) I shop for one or two items at a time. Otherwise, deer- in- the- headlights time.

    And hey, if anyone wants to nominate me for that Tim Gunn show. . .:tongue:
  • ali106
    ali106 Posts: 3,754 Member
    awww! I can understand, its overwhelming losing weight sometimes, especially if you have a bad body image like myself....this is why I LOVE SHOES....but seriously, I will get my old size bring it on it and then find the next size down and that way its not soo like omg if the new cloth fit or don't yet....I think my big issue is man COULD I actually be a smaller size, then if I'm not there yet it doesn't look right I spiral downward! :sad: ....BUT if you've lost enough that you know you need new duds....just take it slow, you'll get there! a few pieces at a time! :wink: (and shoes!! lol)

    For me, when I lose weight I just shop in my closet since I think I still have cloths from like 10 yrs ago....never say never!!! :flowerforyou:

    hugs!
    Ali
  • Shannon023
    Shannon023 Posts: 14,529 Member
    Maybe if you start small too. Instead of shopping for a new wardrobe, shop for one pair of pants. Maybe you won't find that as intimidating.

    When I was needing new clothes I carried a pair of pants around for about 40 minutes because I was terrified to try them on. :tongue:

    This is a life long process, nothing wrong with baby steps. :flowerforyou:
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