Does my bum look big in this?

[fattybygaslight]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that dropping a dress size leads to a shopping spree!

I came to this conclusion the other day whils reading some of the posts by fellow dieters on the Easter Challenge. Myself and others are visualising our slimmed down bottoms firmly tethered in new denims. Others have mentioned a nice little outfit they have their eye on.

Now this is all very well, it is better than planning to reward yourself with the biggest Easter Egg you can find.

However it can lead to a problem for someone like me, who loses a stone to get back to healthy BMI, then puts it on again over time, then loses it again and so on. The problem is this. I am so pleased when I get back to a healthy BMI I treat myself to quite a few new clothes, then of course I put the weight back on, and they don’t fit. The end result is a wardrobe full of clothes that are too tight or don’t fit!!!! I believe this is a common problem.

It is not going to happen this time. I have promised myself new jeans if I meet the Easter half stone challenge and I know I won’t be a size smaller by that point but I will feel good because I have made healthy choices and ate thoughtfully.

We must stop thinking we don’t look good unless we are slim being a healthy weight is about being healthy,. Looking good and feeling good is another matter.

My husband has been losing weight too and was delighted when he could fit into a suit he had bought for a wedding 4 years ago and only worn once. I love him whether he is carrying an extra 2 stone or not but I am glad he is taking control of his health.

So let’s think more about health, less about looks, and love ourselves for who we are, whatever weight we are, and if you fancy a new outfit this weekend go for it! Don’t wait till you slim into it! Glam up and feel fabulous!

Love to all, have a fab weekend 😘

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Very wise words, fbg, we should be more concerned with our health, than our body shape and should celebrate it

[fattybygaslight in reply to moreless]

I wonder if it is a cultural thing?

Our church has quite a large Nigerian population. I do not wish to cause any offence here but some of the ladies are rather large, But they are so beautiful, they come to church glammed up to the nines and they don’t try to hide between baggy old T shirts and leggings. They carry themselves beautifully and wth pride and they look stunning!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to fattybygaslight]

Oh I'm sure it's cultural! I think it's only the Western World that idolises skinny women.

Being well-covered was a sign of health and wealth.

[fattybygaslight in reply to moreless]

Not helped by the impossible images of skinny models we are exposed to continually!!!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to fattybygaslight]

Exactly!

[sunny369 in reply to fattybygaslight]

I have Ugandan friend and I always smile when she complains to me that her (very shapely) bottom is 'too small' or 'too skinny'

[ohsofierce in reply to moreless]

I'm reading this thread and trying to imprint it in my brain for the next time I get lead astray by images of how I should look. As for wardrobe, I've always been told to keep my larger sizes for when I gain weight again. This time I resolved not to keep anything that is too big. I will not have the mindset that I will fail and gain weight again. Wobbles up and down yes but I need to believe that other than that I am not going to fail and I can do this.

[Misslovely]

Ive literally over this past 2 weeks been getting rid of some clothes from my wardrobe as theyre “skinny mini” clothes that i kept as a motivational tool to make we want to lose weight. However, i found that each time i went in my wardrobe i would see them and feel bad that i didnt fit them, which is risky as could lead to comfort eating (although not been too bad with that). So i thought why not give them to someone thatll get the use out of them, it takes the pressure or the guilt off me and i can reward myself when i do lose ❤️

It was only a couple of years ago i was in my daughters size 10 jeans so i can get there again & i will.

[fattybygaslight in reply to Misslovely]

A brilliant idea 💡

You have inspired me to a bit of Feng Shui in the wardrobe department 😀

[NoMoreJunk Maintainer 2st 7lbs Healthy BMI in reply to fattybygaslight]

I need to do this too, it is very cluttered and I can't wear half of the clothes! I have clothes from 10 years a go that I will get in to again...I was 8 stone then...so would be another 1.5 stone to lose!! Out they are going!

[fattybygaslight in reply to NoMoreJunk]

The charity shops could be looking forward to a bumper weekend 😀😀😂😂

[NoMoreJunk Maintainer 2st 7lbs Healthy BMI in reply to fattybygaslight]

Haha I think the fashion has just come back round to make my clothes from 10 years a go acceptable!

[fattybygaslight in reply to NoMoreJunk]

Some of mine are positively Retro

[AugustineciaranPaley in reply to fattybygaslight]

Definitely just had half term and a spring clean 🧼. It has helped watching marie konda on Netflix 😊

[fattybygaslight in reply to AugustineciaranPaley]

Ha Ha excellent!!!

[san_ray70 Maintainer in reply to Misslovely]

Never been a sz 10 but I was 14 long time ago, I am scared to lose too much at my age 70, but I have lost some, I will lose some more, but evrybody says do not overdo it. I will see how I look and feel when I have lost 2st, not breathless any more I know that.

[CrimsonMama]

When I was younger dieting was always about looks (for dating or because I thought I was fat when looking back at pictures I know I should have enjoyed being the size ten I was lol) and I think it was because of doing it for the wrong reasons was why I never stuck to a diet. This time around it's all about health and fitness and that makes me feel great! If I look better for it than that's just a bonus!

[fattybygaslight in reply to CrimsonMama]

Looking good comes from within. Go for it gal !!!

[fattybygaslight]

Looking good comes from within!!

You go for it gal!!!!

[Eleanorba Maintainer]

Absolutely agree - I just can't stick to a healthy plan unless I accept that I look damned good already! Wearing a nasty sack when I was larger did /not/ help, just led to miserable comfort eating! So I say we should treat ourselves to nice things when we can afford them. Also find that some things I bought to try and 'slim into' were just a plain mistake - some are great and I love wearing them, some I can fit into fine now, but they just aren't 'me'. Enjoy clothes all the time but don't take them too seriously, I say. Particularly now that sizes are so random - I'm now at my ideal weight and on a recent shopping trip turned out to be size 8, 10, 12, 14, small, medium and large depending on the shop!

[ohsofierce in reply to Eleanorba]

Ay ay yesterday I tried on three pairs of jeans from the same brand, all the same model, all labeled in the same size and in the same shop. I'm not joking, one of them was too small, one of them too big, one just right. A proper Goldilocks experience. Weird thing was just that they should've all been exactly the same!

[Eleanorba Maintainer in reply to ohsofierce]

That's even crazier!

[fattybygaslight in reply to ohsofierce]

I know and isn't it so weird that you feel chuffed if you can get into a smaller size when it clearly doesn't matter one bit? It is who you are that counts, not a number on the label

[fattybygaslight in reply to Eleanorba]

I agree that buying clothes to slim into is a disaster, if you don't manage it you feel you have failed, if you do they just might not look how you imagined them to, as you say. Sizing is terrible in most shops. I have size 10s to 16s in wardrobe that fit! I think the whole sizing thing can make clothes shopping a misery and don't even get me started on changing cubicle mirrors and lightning! Aargh!

There is a fairly expensive clothes shop near me, that is too pricey for every day, although it has good sales. The ladies who serve are so experienced that they just size you up visually and know what will fit regardless of the label, as brands vary so much, they are always honest about what suits and you simply stand in the changing cubicle in your underwear and they bring things. Bottom line is, no pun intended, that you go out feeling like a million dollars.

The fact is that clothes can make you look better and feel good and no one should hide under horrible old sacks that make them feel miserable

Have a great weekend Eleanorba

[Eleanorba Maintainer in reply to fattybygaslight]

Brilliant post! Love the sound of your shop, have experienced similar excellent service in some places from people who clearly just love clothes - and the opposite where I feel like I’ve stumbled into some terrible sketch about clothes shops from Little Britain...

[fattybygaslight in reply to Eleanorba]

Ha Ha I like it! What an image!

[Lytham 3 stone]

Hi how was school ? Did you enjoy or hit the vino ! x

[fattybygaslight in reply to Lytham]

Hi Lytham I did reply but I think I replies to myself

See below

[fattybygaslight]

School was great, I enjoyed it. Going in four days next week. I am glad I am retired though, I really enjoy my leisure time , and I am shattered.

I cannot lie Lytham, I had a wee glass of Marlborough with my dinner. So much for my resolve!!!! I'll be getting 100 lines from Walkmore. I did stay off the staff room cakes and sweets though!!

[Lytham 3 stone in reply to fattybygaslight]

Ha ha "two outta three aint bad !" I cant keep a secret though, ill have to tell walkmore about the Marlborough !lol pleased you enjoyed it , nice for a change but, wouldnt want to do it every week? x

[fattybygaslight in reply to Lytham]

Good lord no!! By the end of next week I will be desperate to retire again. It is a job that requires so much energy that it doesn't leave much room for anything else. After a lifetime of it I am grateful for the time to do other things now. On that note, I am off to bed as I am so tired. Have a fab weekend.

[Lytham 3 stone in reply to fattybygaslight]

Nite nite ! x

[LJ15Col]

Beautifully put and quite right! Have a great weekend!

[fattybygaslight in reply to LJ15Col]

You have a great weekend too!

[Lytham 3 stone in reply to LJ15Col]

Heyy are you going to join our summer challenge and pledge to achieve something in 10 weeks? Drop a dress size, fit into an old outfit, lose an inch or get fitter? Im going to pledge hitting 20,000 steps on my fitbit, beating my personal best x

[AugustineciaranPaley]

Very wise words I have received lovely 😊 comments from friends family and work colleagues about how I look, even before I took up the Easter challenge. My husband loves me no matter what weight I am. He has always said that I am a beautiful person inside and out. I just want to be healthier and even happier than I am now. I understand that carrying this extra weight is putting extra stress on my heart and further problems such as diabetes and a stroke. It was because of prescription drugs for my health that I put on 5 stone in the first place. I have tried many diets but the only thing that I know will work for me. Is to get out in the fresh air and walk/ run 🏃‍♀️ which I loved. Also doing daily meditation 🧘‍♀️ and master classes is helping with my road to success. I am from a medical family and they just want me to be happier and healthier.

It really helps to have goals to aim for and do baby steps. Doing the Easter challenge and training for the 10k in Manchester to raise money for the British Heart Foundation helps plus daily support from here.

Keep up the good work everyone

[fattybygaslight]

Sounds like you are doing a fantastic job! There are so many complex reasons why people put on and retain weight, You are right to focus on health and wellbeing but of course we all want to look good too. I just feel that we should ditch the idea that slim equals beautiful because it certainly doesn't, and people who are overweight have as much right to be glamorous and fashionable as anyone else. Feeling good is dependent upon a healthy mind and body and celebrating that.

Best of luck on your journey and on your 10k

[pamela22]

What a lovely positive and thought provoking post, I agree we need to think more about health, less about looks, and love ourselves for who we are.

This could become my new mantra and positive thought.

XxX

[fattybygaslight in reply to pamela22]

Glad to hear it Pamela

Society and the media are making us feel bad about ourselves.

Beautiful people come in all shapes and sizes, but good health and good nutrition are essential for well being of body and mind.

To use an old Tailor’ s analogy

“Never mind the width, feel the quality”

[pamela22 in reply to fattybygaslight]

I love it ... “Never mind the width, feel the quality” what a wonderful saying

XxX

[Lytham 3 stone]

Heyy are you going to join our summer challenge and pledge to achieve something in 10 weeks? Drop a dress size, fit into an old outfit, lose an inch or get fitter? Im going to pledge hitting 20,000 steps on my fitbit, beating my personal best x

[Hidden]

The thing is, looking good can make a person want to stay in that shape, if you look good then it gives confidence also.

There are lots of reasons people can use to stay in shape, I myself do prefer the healthy reason but looking good is a nice bonus.

Each to their own I guess.

[san_ray70 Maintainer]

I have lots of ordinary clothes in different sizes, I am glad I do not throw much away, the only problem I had was undies. I noticed as I have lost 17lb my undies are loose,not too bad if you wear jeans, but if you wear a dress, could be embarassing. So I bought some, do not know if I will lose more than 2st which is my target, heres hoping.