Not Created Equal

Let me start by saying I have an amazing hubby.  What man ever says, "Honey, it's Saturday, the boys are gone, our finances are okay right now, so if you want to go to the consignment shop to get clothes that fit..."  My man does! 

Clothing sizes are NOT created equal!  CME still goes clothes shopping with me because generally he does a better job of finding items that fit me.  It's crazy.  Anyway, my size 10 jeans fit very comfortably now.  My friend even asked me this morning if they were getting too loose.  (I have the best friends too!)  My 12s...yeah..loose.  So I thought I'd see what size I could fit into.  I picked up several pairs of size 8 jeans to give it a try.  Yeah, that was a wee bit too ambitious.  Some got stuck half way up my leg, others made it up, but were no where close to buttoning.  I came home with one pair of never been washed Tommy Hilfiger jeans - size 9 ($4.99) and one pair of Ann Taylor Loft dress pants - size 8 ($2.00).  Truly...can't wrap my brain around those sizes!  

But shirts?  This is where it's so important to not look at the sizes on the tags.  One shirt was a button down size XL.  Yes, I tried it on anyway because it looked small.  I was right.  I tried on Lg and Med and even had one sweater that I tried on that was a Sm.  No wonder we have body image issues!  No wonder we struggle with self confidence!  We get stuck on a size and associate that XL with a negative body image.  Yet today I bought XL, Lg and M shirts.  I left with 7 shirts and 2 pair of pants for less than $60.00.  I love consignment shops!

Pictures below are for CME's benefit...he thought I needed to post some of my bargain finds.

Comfy size 10 jeans - L top

CME:  Lift your arms

Size 10 jeans - L top

Size 8 pants - XL top

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Twelve

That is the size jeans that I put on this evening!  A co-worker brought me a pair of 12 jeans that were too short for her.  I decided to see if, by chance, I could wear them.  And well...I can!  They're a tad long for me, but hello!?!?!? Did you read that it was a size 12?!?  Limited Jeans - size 12!  Yes, I'm silly excited about it.  Gosh, I haven't been a size 12 since before high school.  

So the white bulky sweater doesn't really show a difference, but here are my size 12 jeans!  (Did I mention that they're a size 12?!?!?)

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Project Done!

Those hangers are the result of a projected that I finished tonight - one that I started in March.  I have officially taken the "too big" clothes out of my closet and drawers.  I saved a few "memento" type things like my Colts Superbowl Champions hoodie and some t-shirts and sweatshirts from 911 Gives Hope along with my parent shirts for the boys' Cub Scout pack.  Those are all things that can be worn big anyway.  I do still have a few pair of pants that are loose, but right now, I need them for work.  The majority of the stuff, however, is gone!  


I didn't realize how difficult it would be to get rid of some of my "favorite" shirts.  I would take them out of the closet and then put them back...take them out...put them back.  I ended up taking them out and walking them into another part of the house so I wouldn't put them back.  It was funny to see CME's face when I said that I was getting rid of those shirts.  I think his comment (accompanied by a cheesy sad face) was something like, "Some of those are really nice shirts."  Probably because he picked them out!  He actually does a better job of picking clothes that fit me and look good...so some of these he had put a lot of thought into!  Regardless, they're out of the closet too!!!


The purging produced one Rubbermaid bin, 2 laundry baskets and 2 bags worth of clothes - plus a full bag of "trash" for things like under garments and things that were stained or in really bad condition.  (Why did I hold onto those anyway?!?!)  


Going through this process is filled with mixed emotions - as odd as that sounds.  I'm elated that so much is now too big!  I'm also a bit embarrassed that I had that much stuff hanging around my closet when there are so many that have nothing.  And yet, it is a reminder of the blessings that God has bestowed on our family.  I am thankful for how He continues to work in me during this journey...opening my eyes to so many things that I never even thought of before.
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Eight Weeks Post-Op

Yesterday (7/4/12) I was officially 8-weeks post-op.  I’ve still avoided the scale so I don’t know the total weight loss.  (I *may* weigh on Saturday…)  But here’s what I do know...

My husband’s aunt gave me two bags full of clothes.  Over the past several years, she’s under grown them.  (Way to go, Debbie!)  I didn’t look at the clothes until I got home from visiting the family in MI.  And I’ll be honest, I thought the stuff was nice, but I was a bit disheartened looking at the sizes.  XL tops and 18 (or 16) pants.  I seriously couldn’t remember when I last fit into those sizes.  Regardless, by CME’s prompting, I tried on the clothes.  Guess what!  MOST of it fit!  Maybe a little snug, but I could get them on!  I know not all size 18s (or 20s or 10s or XLs) are created equal – but I can wear the XL tops the 18 pants!  HUGE difference in the 24/26 (or 28s at my largest) that I was wearing just 6 months ago!  I’m excited…can you tell?  Who needs a scale right now?  

Then yesterday, our July 4^th started rather early.  By 7:00am my boys, oldest daughter, g-baby and I were at the starting line for the Big Bang 5K.  Yes, two 5K events in 2 weeks!  My main goal for this one was to beat my time from my first 5K on 6/23.  Though I don’t have the official results yet, I know that I shaved somewhere around 4 minutes off my first race time!  It may not seem like much, but for me, it’s huge!

But what’s even more important to me is that my kids did this too!  My daughter, who is just 6 weeks out from a c-section, braved the ridiculous heat and humidity to walk this with me.  With my g-baby in tow she hit the course with the intention of finishing and doing the best she could do.  That’s exactly what she did!  I’m pretty sure that g-baby was the youngest participant…I think she should have gotten some award for that!

My boys… oh how they made my day!  One thing that I want to instill in them is how important it is to get healthy and make good healthy choices.  They’ve had a really busy summer already – everything from Boy Scout camp to church camp and then on a mission trip.  They have been physically active all summer!  So adding a 5K to their schedule didn’t seem to bother them in the least.  My oldest wound up in 8^th place for the male walkers without even really exerting himself.  My youngest was a sweetheart and stayed back with me and my daughter.  He was great at making sure to bring me my water (which g-baby was safely guarding in her ride) when I needed it or helping his sister with the stroller on the grassy hills and gravel areas.  No, he didn’t place nor did he have a great finish time.  But what I explained to all of them is that starting the race is a victory over sitting at home.  Walking slowly is a victory over not walking at all.  Finishing the race is a victory over quitting.
I am so proud of my kiddos!!! 

As I reflect back on the past 8 weeks, one thing keeps coming to my mind: gratitude.  It’s the gratitude I have for those who have been my encouragement…those who have listened to me whine and complain about not losing weight fast enough…those who have shared advice and wisdom with me.  And of course there is the gratitude I have to my Creator.  To the One who has given me the strength and courage to face this battle head-on.  To the One who reminds me that no matter what lies the world has told me in the past that I am fearfully and wonderfully made! 
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14