Some of you will know from the Easter Bunny Challenge that the next challenge will be something slightly different & will be a little longer, hopefully taking us up to the Xmas Challenge.
It will be a kind of rolling challenge so you can keep setting yourselves new targets as you hit them. It is a size challenge rather than a weight challenge. No doubt many of you will know that Hidden is already doing a great weekly weight challenge.
THE IDEA - find a piece of clothing that is too small and start working on getting into it - that is the challenge as simple as that! It can be something new or something you already have. If it is something with a zip or buttons then you may be able to measure the gape and update as it gets smaller
BUT - even if you don't have a piece of clothing you are trying to get into you could just measure your waist, hips etc and aim to reduce it by an inch or two. That way you can still join in.
For me I am trying to get into a dress (for a wedding, not my own) which is about 1 - 2 sizes too small, it has a zip and a nice big gape!
ONE THING - could I have some feedback as to how often we should share update - maybe once a fortnight?
I will start the challenge next weekend so you have from now until then to locate a piece of clothing or your tape measure - please note that handbags and shoes do not count!
Good luck!
Written by
sueper
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
My dress is size 20 but hoping I will keep going and get into an 18. Just bought a size 22 dress and it only just fits - as in if it was any bigger it would fall down!
Kind of lost motivation recently, can't be bothered to exercise or count calories. Trying to get back on track, definitely won't undo my good work so far. 6 months ago I was wearing size 38 trousers and XL tshirts. Currently wearing size 32 trousers and squeezing into a size M tshirt
I think we all go through those times here we lose our mojo.
You've done so fantastically well and are pretty much at your goal weight. I guess the crux is whether you're happy where you are, or whether you'd be happier being a bit smaller.
I'm not anywhere near that stage yet, I'm still very obese, so need to keep pushing hard, for the sake of my health.
You've had a lot of distractions lately and I'm sure, when the time is right, you'll make the decision that's right for you
Oh i'm definitely not happy where I am, I reckon I need to lose another stone roughly. I still have a belly and man boobs haha I forced myself to count everything today and i'm sure I'll soon be focused again. Maybe I'll try some strength exercises
The plie squat is in my daft dance because of my dodgy out of line knee it works well, in fact I do most of these but in the plie postion, but can't go that low yet. It has taken nearly 3 inches of top thigh and nearly 2 of quad area. So even if your knees can't go all the way down and you need to use a chair this routine really works. I always finish with a really lose body tremble, shakeout.
I'm aiming to do this every morning, I can do all of those squats along with the video and it wasn't as bad as yesterday. I'll measure my thigh every week and see if it makes a difference eventually.
In your case you would probably want to see an increase in the quad measurement as the muscles develop and a small decrease in upper thigh. I have also lost 3 inches off hips so far. I include twist exercises which means planting your feet about 1 foot apart, tilting your hips slightly forward and turning your mid section in a twisting action without bending your legs. This has taken nearly 4 inches off my waist. I am hoping that once I lose another 2 stone it will have come off my tummy and the front on benefit I can see now will also be a side view benefit too. If you mix the two together you get my daft dance. Pick heavy beat music which gives you time to shake and stretch out in between tracks at different speeds. I am only in week 8 now and only 1st 6lb down, but the inches have fell off. My body composite monitor is showing about 4lb increase in muscle mass. Add collagen to your diet to help the ligaments and muscles repair. My friend who is a crossfitter is now helping me out, making sure I eat and exercise correctly to reactivate my muscles which have been dormant for over 4 years.
My knees and hips have started acting up just looking at it.
• in reply to
In fact it reminds me of the vicar of Dibley. Do yo uremember tht episode where Darcy Bussell performed and Dawn French acted as her mirror? I bags the mirror image.
I did an evening hike on a mountain last night which turned into a night hike. I've bee nwalking since as if I've saddle sores. Couldn't begin to think what this would do to me.
If you have dodgy joints, as I do inflammatory arthritis, you have to keep the muscles strong to support the joints. Everytime I watch myself doing my old ballet exercises, the ones I can still do, which require the chair back, I think of the Dawn French thing lol I can't do impact work outs but strength and flexibility I can, now
Keep going set yourself a new challenge where you get out there with like minded fitness people spring is here and its the time to get active and try new things you must be looking great now , best wishes
Wow well done scoobasteve. That is really impressive.
I know what you mean about the motivation. I hurt my hip two weeks ago and my is still really painful. 😭 I really want to be able to start running again.
It seems if I'm not running then I stop watching what I eat too. I'm sure I will have gained this week.
Oh I don't know what to do lol. They do have it in a size smaller so I may order that one too and then I can try them both and decide. It is a summer dress and maybe (please, please, please) I may have actually lost a few more lb by then!
So am I. I'd like to slim back into a skirt which I only managed to wear once, but to be able to buy a few new things at least the next size down would definitely be bonus.
I'm already doing this, found a few things when I started the 12 week plan and on week 4 at the moment. I showed my children my favourite top today and they liked it too. I've not measured it, will just see how it looks after I've lost another half a stone
Ooo, I'd love to join - I need to pick my items though!
I have lots of clothes to choose from - think I know my ultimate goal dress (just a dress that hasn't fit in 10 years, nothing special), but I'll need to pick the in-between items.
Hello everyone my lovely dress is a size 12, due to a major op and subsequent ill health since about June last year I've put on 2 stone and feel really uncomfy and bloated in leggings/tights. Have given up on my jeans, don't think I've worn them since about July!! Sainsburys Tu has been my saviour with lovely dresses made from lovely patterned fabrics. But it'd be great to get back to the old me!
I am not generally a 12 normally a 10-12 however I have a sea salt dress size 12 that that fits (hell would freeze over before I bought anything in 14) but I would like it to fit better😳 And if it does it my go to a wedding on 13 August (yes remember I was 17.5st and now a maintainer)
Oh, great idea! I have a size 14 jacket that I bought 6 years and loved it - and then ballooned up in weight. I would love to fit back into it again. Will hang it up in a prominent place to remind me!
I think I would prefer weekly updates as a reminder. Maybe on a Sunday, before the site gets busy on Mondays?
Love the challange and I'm in big time. Love the pic of Randy ( I'm a big say yes to the frock girl!!) in another life I'd work at Kleinfelds( saddo eh lol)
Need the challange and a focus, I've lost my way a bit and feeling the strains of carrying the Ibs I've put on!. The only summer thing that fits from last year are my flip flops !!! Eeek.
Once a fortnight sounds good to me so I'm going to pick something, get the tape measure at the ready and get my head in a good space.
I would like to join in too. I have a dress which I bought for my niece's wedding 4 years ago. Worn once but loved it. Its very fitted at the waist and has a slim skirt. Def can't do zip up the back at the moment. It is my daughters 18th at the end of May and I would love to be able to wear the dress to her birthday dinner. (Not long to shift a stone but worth a go!) Weekly or fortnightly is fine with me. Love this idea!
Oh I would love to do that too. Its my Silver Wedding Anni next year and would love to wear it again! So although I hope to lose the weight by this summer it will be a good incentive for maintenance. Sure you will fit into that swimsuit by May. Good luck.
Oops I got that wrong then as I got married in 1994 so am getting next year muddled up as its my 50th Birthday (definitely born in 1967) not Silver Wedding. OMG I must be getting old as can't remember what year is what! A special holiday would be nice for us too. Need to get to size 12 for wedding dress and stay that size for a bit longer now then!
Really good idea Sueper, I'll join you all if I may.
My waist size on Monday was 39" and I would like to be at most 30" by Christmas. Not too worried about bust and hips as most of my fat is round my middle, which is, as we all know, really not healthy. It's taken me three months to drop two inches off my waist, so nine inches in nine months... possible. Can't go find a small size piece of clothing as my grandchildren are asleep in there but I'm sure I have something to aim for, if not it will be fun going out and buying something.
Oh, I didn't mean the grandchildren are asleep in the wardrobe, wouldn't be that mean. They're in my spare room that I use as a dressing room and the others in the other spare room which means we'll all be up at too early o'clock tomorrow 😄
Not literally I hope moreless , only realised what I put when I re-read the paragraph. Don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about my childcaring. 😀😀
You're welcome, it's nice to smile occasionally - and I'm a bit strict with them otherwise they'll walk all over me and that wouldn't be too difficult as I'm quite short.
Lol! Come to think of it, I had one at each end of the scale, one that was soft as butter and one that was hard as nails and who used to terrify my brother and me!
Oh Sueper, you've done it again. Just as my resolve gave out and made way for a truly shocking week of rubbish (takeaway, double-lunches, you name it...) you've produced another reason to get remotivated!
I will endeavour to find some appropriate clothing - I have a whole other wardrobe of stuff I grew out of and put away back in October. I will fish a few bits out of there. I've not taken any measurements for ages but my shirts feel a bit looser so I think I must have shrunk a bit...
Hi Sueper- great idea!!! I'm in... just not sure about the item of clothing to start with so i'll give that some thought - or i may even go out and splurge on something to hang on my wall as motivation (any excuse now lol) i think i'll aim for small targets maybe one size down at a time (i like the fact its a longer challenge) i think i'd prefer fortnightly (as clothes sizes dont drop as quick as lbs sadly) but maybe like you say a different day of the week as the site traffic is getting pretty crazy on a Monday!
Welcome Marmite I think Sundays will be a good update day. I usually measure about once a month so I think fortnightly will be good - once a month isn't enough and some people maybe measuring at different times in the month.
Happy hunting. I'd say splurge but I am a shopaholic so don't listen to me
Hi Sueper - count me in! I have a skirt, a pair of trousers and a tankini I think a fortnightly update is enough. We might not see enough change in a week to keep motivated
I'm in. I've just tried on all my dresses pre-holiday in three weeks. I shall have to leave two behind. Sob. Sob. I swore no new ones would come into the house till I dropped back a size. But I have now cracked and ordered 'just the one'. Thank goodness there is a sale on.
Goal 1: grey cropped trousers, without seams straining
Goal 2: navy cropped trousers and a fitted grey linen shirt that goes with it. (Gaping issues!)
Goal 3: Armani cream like enterprise jeans (get me!) and Brown linen jacket. (Big gaping issue)
Goal 4: white waistcoat and jacket. (Jeez...when did I ever fit those...massive gaping issues!!)
All clothes in wardrobe, all too tight or gaping. Goals go in size order I.e. white waistcoat is much smaller than the rest.
The cream jeans maybe way off trend by the time I get there but it would be nice to let them go for that reason rather than the fact I can't get into them.
I am to get into all these by my summer holiday in August. X
I want to join. I have a black and white dress I wore for my daughters leavers day from high school, I would love to fit into again. It's a fitted size 18 I'm currently a size 20.
I'd like to join in too please. I've loads of clothes to choose from down to a lovely pair of cream size 12 trousers, hardly worn. I'm just imagining how it would feel to wear them. Keep dreaming😴
I have a separate wardrobe, full of clothes that I can't wear. I've decided to give myself until August 31st and then if I haven't worn them they're going to the charity shop.
I liked the easter bunny challenge and it really worked for me reaching target on easter sunday and I know I would not have tried so hard if I had not pledged to get to 10.7 even though it went up next day!! It has gone down now to 10.6 so momentarily blipped with easter cake. Now clothes wise I really wanted to get in my Gerry webber trousers when I started but didn't try them on for so long that they missed the slot as have at least 15 other pairs so I reckon a fortnight is about right but everybody will have different targets for various occasions. holidays and weddings are good. I have had a size 12 silver dress in loft since 1987 hoping one day to get in it !! I got it out and it fits but it has lost all its shine and fabric has biodegraded so not too long for the updates!!
I have a pair of well washed black skinny leg jeans (the waist has a bit of stretchy because I have never had a waist) I want to be back in them they are size 14. Then when back in them, they are very probably the only thing I have left from 4 years ago and another stone lighter than I am now, I will have to have a big think.
Right I have had an epiphany! I have decided that in order to feel much better about ourselves collectively and to remove all measurements doubts, please can we all use the US system of sizes, that makes my jeans a size 10. I feel sooooo much better. My Uk bum is a current 16, so its already a 12, my uk boobies are a 14, now a US 10 and even my horrid apple belly is a US 14.
See this thread is effective in making me and everyone in the UK lose weight and above all feel better tehe.
This is another brilliant Challenge of yours, and I'd like to join in - I'll have a think about my aim over the weekend, and will get back to you once I've thought of something appropriate. I think it will help to go through my wardrobe, which is something I've been meaning to do for some time, so this is an excellent opportunity!
I agree with a few other people's suggestions to have perhaps fortnightly frequency for reporting back, and Sundays sound good to me too. Mondays and also Tuesdays are pretty crazy for 'traffic' on the forum.
But I'm flexible too, so don't mind when you decide to do it, I'll look out for the posts.
I've been sort of doing this, counting belt notches. I've just had to get smaller jeans that don't need a belt yet. In theory it will be needed again in about a month or two to hold these new jeans up, so that is my new challenge now.
The notches are roughly an inch apart, and I had got up to notch number seven, of 24, in the first three months of a ten month plan.
I can now get into most of my clothes rather than just a few of them, but I've usually only been wearing the jeans so as not to have to think about it. I suppose the time has come to smarten up a bit....before they're all too big!
Hi Sueper. I like the sound of this. Going to use my work trousers as a basis. Have reluctantly bought size 18. It's the tummy that's my main problem so they fit on the waist but seem to be baggy on thighs & look a bit silly. So to get my size 16s fitting comfortably is my first aim. From there, onwards & downwards. Thanks for starting this challenge 😀
I'm in! I have a summer blouse size 16 as my first target! Fortnightly sounds great! I may have to buy new shoes to match as a reward when I reach my goal!
I have decided on a turquoise summer top for my first target, and a white patterned summer dress as my second. Both are size 16, but one is a larger size 16 than the other...
Heya, I'm totally in. I have a dress in mind that I wanna get into. It's size 16 but I think a small size 16 because I CANNOT zip it up which makes me want to cry because it should fit me!!!! That's a short term goal though. If we're doing this all the way to xmas then my aim is to be down to a size 12.
Just read about the "Say Yes to the Dress/Jeans/Top/Trousers etc Challenge" excellent idea/ suggestion. Since we entered in this new season, spring, our eyes, mind, objectives are focused towards getting "THAT BODY" for this Summer. Just identified my perfect dress, wich is a little too tight on the arms: Have to look perfect in it.
I would like to join in please. I need new bike leathers I haven't worn them for 10 years. But now my hubby is swapping his sports bike for a tourer so we can go out together and he said he will buy me new ones. We hope to go away in august so time to change. Would love to buy a size 14 to 16 xx
I'm in -very inspiring challenge, thank you sueper ! My first goal is to try to fit in my size 18 swimsuit that has never been used because of my obesity. Katty
Ooo yes this sounds perfect! I am going to Italy this July and currently own no weather appropriate clothes (haven't felt confortable in shorts etc at this weight). Would love to be able to be a size 16 by July as gives me a lot more choice in summer clothes! Do you think dropping two dress sizes by then is realistic?
Hi can i join this challenge please? I have several items in my wardrobe i would love to be able to wear again have a lovely summer size 16 dress would be nice to wear it again. Thanks
I would definitely like to do this challenge! I ballooned to a size 26 at 19 stone, although I've managed to drop to a smaller 22 by losing 2&1/2 stone. I've got a lovely size 18 skirt which I've only ever worn once which would be great to get the use of again.
Whyweight123 has just mentioned motorcycling leathers. I have an Irvine flying jacket which my husband bought for my 21st birthday. He had an open topped 1930s style sports car at the time, and when we went on holiday with the Marlin owners club, I froze, hence the jacket. If I could get into that again both he, and I, would be ecstatic....
Hi I would love to join in I bought a dress in the sale a size or so too small and would love to fit into it by the summer I also have a lovely pair of trousers and jeans that I havent fitted into for years but they are a classic style and were expensive when I bought them I would love to fit into them by the autumn. Let me know when this starts and when I need to log my measurements with you. It's a pity we can't post photos on here I going to take a photo each month so I can see the different as my weight changes.
Hi O2BForeverfit - lots of lovely things for you to work towards.
I will start the challenge next weekend
You can post photos on new posts and sometimes existing ones (I think). I guess you can always do a fresh post and link it to the challenge thread. I have seen people post videos but not sure how! I'll see if it is possible to add photos as it would be nice for people to be able to add the odd photo especially when they get into their item.
Hi Sueper, I tried the link and you need a google account to do anything, which I don't have.
As far as I'm aware, you can only post one picture on a new thread, download a video to youtube, then upload it, or put a picture in your profile - small and background. You'll see the attempts that have been made for the 20,000 Leagues challenge.
Hope this helps.
If having a Google account makes a difference, I shall be really interested, because not being able to post pics is a real downside to this site.
That's a real shame. The link works for me but I have posted stuff using the Google thing, not sure if I have an actual account, I am a bit rubbish at all this stuff! I have also managed to open someone else's Google image. If you fancy giving it a try I could give you so info so you could try sorting out an account although I am not sure you need an account, if you see what I mean - I am waffling now!
Just come across this - will have a ponder - I do have a lot to choose from. Sadly sending back to m and s leather pencil skirt----that is months away to fit. but have plenty of other stuff to choose from.....
I would love to join this - I have a pair of trousers which stubbornly refuse to fit (!) and I am determined to conquer them - they are a size 14 - but although I wear other 14 trousers I cant even get them pulled up properly. I have recently put on 10lbs after maintaining for several months and they didnt fit me 10lbs ago - so I probably need to lose about 15lbs to be able to wear them. This could be a long running challenge!
Oh my goodness I'm so up for this!! I've got a pair of trousers I bought about 8 years ago but have never been able to wear, I love them and they've always been my goal trousers, but I've just never managed to stick to a weight loss plan for any length of time. So Please, Please may I join?!?
Hi sueper , as you know I'm trying to maintain until the end of June so I won't be able to aim towards a target until after then. I will post my measurement though when you start the challenge next weekend and aim to not increase them, maybe with more exercise I might even tone up a bit.
Once I start losing again I will buy something new to aim for, I'm happy to say I have long since worked my way through all the old clothes what were to small for me in my wardrobe. Even the things I bought a bit small at the end of last summer are now getting a bit big!! Not that I'm complaining.
I'm looking forward to seeing how others progress with this brilliant challenge.
Thanks for joining us Ros. Did you measure when you started? I forgot and measured about 4 months later.
As the challenge will be running for a while you'll have plenty of time to join us when you start again and as you say, you may tone up a bit too
I have a dress hanging outside the board size 44 European with a zip on the back. At the moment there are 8 to 7cms missing to zip it up. This is my target for now. I wish to wear it again this summer. I abandoned it two years ago, a long dress and blue...
I would love to join too. I have a size 16 dress that I can nearly do up but needs a couple of inches off my boobs and waist so that I can breathe while I am wearing it. This is my first goal so I can wear it this summer. Then there is the size 14 Christmas dress that has been looking at me for 10 years saying that it would like to come out of the wardrobe and be worn. That needs at least 6 inches off the waist and 4 off the boobs and 6 off the hips to do up!
I have found a skirt I bought 10 or so years ago that I really like, but haven't been able to get into in 9 years, but have never been able to bring myself to get rid of. I will get into it again! It's a size 10 (US) and has a good 4 inch gap in the zipper. I think, that's just me eyeballing it! I'll have to take a more accurate measurement tonight.
Will try to make it for my trip home the end of June, but I'd really just love to the chance to wear it again.
I've bought two new things fir my holiday on May, a top and a really pretty summer dress, both size 16. I can get in them but another kilo or so would make them much more comfortable 😊 Frustrating as its my boobs that are the problem, trousers are size 14 and not tight at all 😕 Grrrr
I will join in! Have a dress I'd love to get into; probably optimistic but it would be a good measure. I think clothes are way more meaningful than weight.
Hi I want to join too as I have a pair of jeans that I bought about 8 years ago and can't get into .......would love to wear sometime soon, but at the moment way too soon.
I have an awesome green velvet evening dress I used to wear! I don't think I will actually wear it, but I'd love to be able to parade about the bedroom in it! Come to think of it, I've no idea if I might fit into it now!
Hello #sueper @sueper I 'lost' this challenge so haven't posted! Now. I have not tried the green velvet but I am weirdly back into a couple of items I really never thought I'd ever fit in again! I say weirdly because weight is changing ve-ry slowly. This is all a bit academic because I write this in a Spanish tapas bar after four (or is it five?) days of eating and drinking. A lot of walking so I am hoping the after effects won't be too dreadful. Will check green dress next week after return and brief fast! Thanx for the prompt! Seafront power walk tomorrow! !!!
I've only just found this challenge, so yay I am up for it. As it happens yesterday I 'found' a dress in the wardrobe that seems to have got bigger and now FITS me!! Tra lah. There are several more in there that I can aim at over the next few weeks and months. Good luck everyone.
PS. I think I will wear that dress out to lunch to remind me to stay on the straight and narrow as in enjoy the main course but no room for a pudding.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Measuring Up
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CHALLENGE - Week 1
