Monday, October 18, 2010

setting up boundaries

I wish I could remember where I heard this tip so I could give credit where it is due. I can't even remember exactly how it was worded but the idea was to get rid of the clothing that you have that just a bit too forgiving. What do I mean by that? Well, for me it is having too many skirts and pants that are made with elastic waists and lots of extra fabric all around the backside and hips. I have some exercise pants that I was wearing when I started this journey a year ago and they were "comfortable" 20 lbs ago. They are baggy right now but I still wear them to walk in since I haven't found new ones for cold weather yet. But last June, when all my jeans were too big on me, my husband took me shopping and we bought two pair of "skinny jeans". These were snug fitting but have some stretch to the fabric to make them comfortable to wear and easy to move in. But they do not have elastic in the waist. When I returned from our vacation and the temps started to drop I started eating comfort food and carbs and I put 4 or 5 lbs back on from the 25 I had lost. I IMMEDIATELY noticed the difference when I put those jeans on. Had I been only wearing my "forgiving" clothes, I could have put 10 or 15 lbs back on and never noticed it. I think, especially once we reach goal weights, it is good to get some clothes that really fit, and some things that we love that will help define some boundaries for our bodies. I love these jeans, but I don't love the way they pull around the front and the wedgie they give me now that I have these extra pounds. They are helping me to act quickly to turn things around. So my skinny jeans are helping me set boundaries and limits to how much I will let myself yo-yo on the scale before I get serious and act. Do you have anything in your wardrobe that sets boundaries for you and helps you maintain what you worked so hard to attain?

4 comments:

Charlie said...

That is so funny about the skinny jeans. I have a pair of jeans that fit me really nice (no elastic in the waist) about a year ago. Now the button digs into my belly button and so I don't wear them anymore. That was my first indication that I put some weight on. I should've done something about it at that time, but didn't have the motivation too. I almost gave them a way, but decided to keep them. I will celebrate the day I can get back into them comfortably.

I do have to say that since we started CCCII, I can at least get back into one of my skirts comfortably that has been uncomfortable for a while. So, I am making progess.

Thanks for the tip.

Charlie

sherry said...

I like this idea. I think I will change what I wear after work starting today. No more sweats but jeans. Maybe that will remind me why I shouldnt be snacking all night. haha

Lynn Lopez said...

More than half of my wardrobe is all my "skinny" clothes. They haven't fit me in almost 4 years! I mostly live out of my drawers and being a PE teacher I don't really get to wear "real" clothes anymore...So I'm gonna take your advice-out with old and strive for the new!

analyticalwon said...

I have all my old clothes from over 3 years ago when I was about 4 sizes smaller than I am right now. Oh my goodness, how I can so relate to Lynn's comment! I refuse to get rid of them because I think that "one day" I'll be able to wear them again. But what kept me from wearing them was the fact that as I got bigger, I just bought new clothes.
As I begin to lose weight, I'm NOT going to hold on to these current clothes that I'm in because I don't want to it to be easy for me to wear them again. Thank you for posting this. It reminds me that I'm not the only one that does this sort of thing. =)