Age 50+ - Spring PANTS challenge...

Hey Ladies,
The Pants challenge is still on...just not an every week type of challenge.
Let's get those pants out on Feb. 1st and see how it's going!!!:carrot:

Hi,

What is this challenge about?

Lynn

This is a challenge to move down in pants size by spring. I have pull on stretch denim pants that fit, stretch zip pants that go on but the exploding bagel top means not for public display (yet) and a pair of regular denim pants that I can't even get up over my thighs and butt......so

for all any of you ladies that have a pair or two of pants in your closet that "I'm saving for when I lose weight" this is your challenge....but if you don't going shopping for a smaller size works too!

It's one of the non-scale victories that isn't anything close to "instant gratification" type of things. It helps me to focus that this WOE is long term not just a day or week or a month.

Join us if you think it will help you stay motivated.:carrot:

OK - I'll have to go buy a pair - good thing everything is on sale. OK, so after I buy my too-tight pants, where is the thread to communicate & when/where do we check in with our progress?

We'll check back in on Feb. 1st and see whats happening with everybody.....

On this 50+ Forum?

yes!:carrot:

Well, I have a closet full of 16's that I want to wear in the Spring, so count me in!!

I like the idea of this challenge so count me in. I have a pair of jeans hanging on the back side of my bathroom door calling my name! I think it's going to take about 15 pounds.
I have set mini goals with my exercise. I started out swimming 15 min. at a time and I am up to 25 min stretches. Before swimming I ride the stationary bike for 15 min. and work with free weight for about 15 min. So far with my schedule I'm able to do this only twice a week. I need to add two more days and I need to work on my diet. I try to eat healthy but with my busy schedule ( I work 3 jobs and babysit my granddaughter) I give in to "EASY & QUICK" too often. I keep telling myself - one step at a time!
I would love to hear your goals and how you are getting there.
I'm off to do some housework and then to work for a few hours. Have a great day!
Jamz

I have my skinny jeans hanging there, looking at me.

Hi ladies,
I am quite new (3 days) to 3FC and have just joined the 50+ group.:)
The Spring Pants Challenge really appeals to me, one of the reasons I finally got on the stick to do something about my weight is that, having had weight issues since puberty, I finally got fed up recently with never being able to get into the clothes I would like to wear.
So this is a great motivator.
Count me in!:carrot:

Welcome everyone,
I hope this helps us focus on a "long term" non-scale victory LTNSV<----ha!
I tend to get focused on the scale and lose site of reality.
Specifically:
1. The reality that I didn't become obese over night so nothing magical is going to happen in one month.
2. At the age of 50 it's going to take a bit longer to reach goal.
3. There is no magical pill, food, web site etc. that will allow weight loss. It takes less calories in and more exercise.

and I it's motivating to think about fitting into the pants!

ONWARD and DOWNWARD all you losers!:hyper:

I am new to this site.......and yessssss i have smaller pants...and a need for change

OK - I bought my "too-tight" pants - size 12 petite. On sale at Talbott's. When do we next try them on?

We shall try them on the first of each month.....so everybody post on Feb. 1st........

I tried on some size 12s today. They zipped up, but would not be comfortable to wear all day. I still remember those size 12 days! I will get there again!

I bought a pair of size 12 pants in late December but they don't fit yet. Maybe by February 1st!

Cute challenge!

I'm starting a little late in the game here, but my jeans aren't as comfortable as i'd like them to be. Right now I kind of feel like a sausage link! So, count me in.

OK, I'm jumping in here. I have 2 pair of cords that are way too tight to wear in public or private. I think the last 10 or 15 pounds will get them fitting just right. They won't be spring pants but our winter lasts forever so they'll be fine to wear right up to the last of May and even on cool summer days.

I'm starting a little late in the game here, but my jeans aren't as comfortable as i'd like them to be. Right now I kind of feel like a sausage link! So, count me in.

OK, I'm jumping in here. I have 2 pair of cords that are way too tight to wear in public or private. I think the last 10 or 15 pounds will get them fitting just right. They won't be spring pants but our winter lasts forever so they'll be fine to wear right up to the last of May and even on cool summer days.


Hi Freda & Isabella,

So glad you're joining in the fun!

Lynn

Way2, you and me have almost the exact same weight and goal. Please tell me if you don't mind too much, what size pants are you going to try on, and when exactly is the try on day? Sometime in April maybe I'm guessing but I seem to do better if I have exact guidelines to follow.

All I wear around the house anymore is XL sweatpants or p.j.'s, but I wear size 18 - 20 elastic waist denims when I go out of the house.

There's several pairs of too small pants in my pants drawer, haven't seen the light of day in YEARS :o

I will sure try this challenge. Good luck to everybody here!

I'm in (tears) Ladies. I've got a pair of lovely blue dress slacks I'd thrill to get in and look good in. Please help me get there!

Oh, Sea, don't cry! We're here for you. You can do this and before you know it those pants will not only fit but will be too big.

I'm in (tears) Ladies. I've got a pair of lovely blue dress slacks I'd thrill to get in and look good in. Please help me get there!

:hug: This hug's for you!

Thanks, Lady Lynn and Isabella. The last few days were hard. I ended up stressing out and then binging yesterday. That made me sick (diabetes) half the night. It has my emotions spiraling from my blood sugars getting so high. That's the last thing I should have done and I know it. I'm trying to get back on track today.

Sea, get out those pants and hang them up where you can see them and next time you're ready to binge go look at the pants. Get rid of the binge food too. If it's not there you can't eat it.

Sea, you can do this! I am a stress eater too, and am working on it all the time. Get rid of the trigger foods. Now if I stress out I end up eating apples or fruit. You can stress and eat a lot of apples and not do much damage!

Thanks Ladies. I've been needing the encouragement. I made the mistake of telling DH I was about to clear out the cocoa, etc. and he told me not to. (I think he was afraid of paying for me to buy it again. I admit I've done that. He means well, but I have a real problem with some foods and snacks.) Well, you cannot help a drug addict by leaving narcotics around, and it doesn't help me to leave chocolate around. I went ahead and cleared the kitchen yesterday while he wasn't here. It helps my stress levels just to have those temptations removed. Some of the items I removed were 3 dishes of candy, a canister of cocoa, a bag of powdered sugar (bought it for making quick fudge), and a large container of chips. Getting rid of it all was like finding that inhaler when you're in the middle of an asthma attack, all panic, and then hope and relief.

Sissy - We're getting out of these sweatpants! Let's do it!

Sea, you've accomplished so much just by getting rid of those trigger foods. You'll do just fine. Those cravings don't last forever especially if you replace them with something else like a hobby, exercise, taking a walk, watching tv, phoning a friend, etc.

I tried on the pants last night just to see exactly where I am in terms of fitting into them. I can zipper them up but......it's not a pretty sight. What gets pushed up over the waist band is not for looking at. My stomach is all giggly and it kind of folded in the front and it looked like I had a bum on the front of my body! :D :lol: :o

Sissy,
Sorry didn't have time to check this thread. I'm "wearing" 16's now, but the exploding bagel top is inappropriate for public viewing so I'm REALLY wearing those elastic top pull up "yes I'm really too fat for zip jeans" things. I have some Gloria Vanderbilt "forgiving" stretch zip jeans that I can get over my badonka donk in size 16 and a pair of non-stretch zip jeans that won't even go over land of lard!!! ;) I carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs (think pear) but after turning 50 it's all going to my abdomen. YIKES! So unhealthy that!!! Jennifer Lopez got junk in her trunk? I have the landfill!

Sea,
We are right here with you darlin.....hang in there! Give yourself mini goals with nice treats that are non-food related. Be kind to yourself....look in the mirror - tell yourself you are a wonderful person and that you deserve good health! You can make this happen. You have lost 11 pounds already! No turning back now!
:carrot:

LOL, Hello Ladies can I join? I will be 51 in April? LOL

I was reading Way2Fluffy about her 'Landfill' and really had a great laugh! Thanks, as I feel the same way.

I too am a stress eater or should I just say huge emotional eater? My problem is my husband, who I do love dearly, is an enabler and it makes it so difficult. He needs to lose alot of weight and is trying in his own way, but he does by the chocolate, sweets and other snacks. I do fine, but then when I am emotional I get into his food. UGH! He doesn't pig out like I do, and can have a few bites then leave it for days. How does he do that? I can't.
I have my healthy foods everywhere and would only grab those if they were the only food in the house, but unfortunately their not.

You all are doing great on your weightloss - :congrat:

Sandy
blog = mygritsconfessions.com

Ladies, thank you so much. I was feeling very alone in this struggle. I really don't have anyone else I can share this with. My ds takes after the anorexic (literally, some of them) side of the family, and my best friend panics when she gets 2 pounds over optimum. They are loving, but cannot comprehend this. You ladies are real blessings.

Fluffy -- You have such a wonderful visual sense of humor.

Well I'm right with you on the emotional out of control eating. I'm not one to push my WOE on anyone but I'll tell you what is working for me this time (this five minutes anyway).
I'm doing low carb, moderate protein and high fat (good fats). I'll be honest the first week was TOUGH! Going through carb/sugar withdrawal was not pleasant but doable. Much harder quitting smoking for sure, but still hard.
The next week wasn't as bad but still I wanted to "pig out". Evenings have been my downfall for FIVE long years. I would start eating and then just eat and eat and eat and eat....I never have figured that out. But with this WOE, low carb, I've finally got over that pattern of behavior that has sabotaged me.
I did WW for five plus years and I have gained 35 pounds......Don't get me wrong. I'm not bashing WW at all. In fact my DD is trying to drop a few pounds and she is doing it on line. I think it's very healthy doable way.....just didn't work for me.
I think I may be one of those "carb addicts". I could eat a whole bag of microwave popcorn and still feel hungry. On WW I felt deprived and needing to eat all the time. With this WOE, I actually have less cravings and feel satisfied. I think I'm just going to have to say no the the processed food for life. I finally finally finally feel in control of my eating. The weight isn't exactly "flying off" but what do I expect at my age? At least the scale is headed in the right direction.
The control of eating is a huge huge hurdle for me.
Let me add that I also have banned alcohol until I'm no longer obese. This is a wait and see item. If I find that I can't control my eating with alcohol, then I may have to cut back or eliminate that also (I really am hoping I don't have to give up wine, the martinis would be easier, but please not the red wine!!!!LOL).
Well, I'm blabbering, But I just wanted to share what seems to be working for me. This time (after a bijillion "restarts") it finally feels like I can stick with this WOE for the long haul.
This is usually the time (around the 4 wk mark) when I step on the scale, see no progress and gradually give up. But not this time. I'm not as discouraged because I can see that the old over-eating in the evening is FINALLY under control.
Have a great day losers!
Eileen:dizzy:

Yesterday, I thought the pants I had on were 16s because they were loose, but they were 14s! That made me feel good. Those 12s are almost here! I know I will still have extra weight on me for 12s, but my hip bones won't go much smaller. I used to wear 12s when I was at my average weight.

Please let me know if I can join in, if not I wish you all the best!! Your doing really great!

Sandy

Sure you can join in Sandy.......We are going to try on our pants on Feb. 1st and see if we've shrunk into them.:)

Thanks way2fluffy, I just didn't want to intrude if it was a small private group.

LOL, I don't know about fitting into my pants on Feb 1st, but I will cheer you all on!

Sandy

myblog = mygritsconfessions.com

Starting weight 270
Current weight 222 (1/24/09)
Goal weight 150

Sandy<----you loser
everybody is welcome
i doubt i'll be making it into the smaller pants this month either BUT this is a long term goal type challenge ... something to brag about this summer I'm thinking:yes:

Sandy I don't think most of us will be fitting into our pants by February 1. It's just the date that we're going to use as a comparison from last time we tried on the pants. I just joined this week in this challenge so I'll only have a 1 week comparison but by the next try on date I hope to see some changes in my pants.

So you try on your pants today if you want and then again on Sunday as an official try on.

I'm still in my nightgown and it's almost supper time. Must be winter blahs. But brighter days are coming. I have a dental appointment out of town on Friday and I get to go there all by myself and get a chance to do some "on my own" shopping!! Don't you just love the dentist and the opportunities they afford. :D

Way to go, Jen!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Eileen, for taking the time to be such an encouragement. I also have problems if I let go a little, I know I'll tend to let go a lot. Like you, I am trying to minimize the heavily processed foods, though I have been enjoying Yoplait Light. I'm back to eating more whole grains and veggies. I know this works for me better than anything, so long as I remember that I CAN DO THIS.

Thank you all for the kind 'welcomes.' :thanks:

Ok, I do have a pair of pants I haven't been able to put on for months, so I will use those. If I fit in those, and of course can still breathe, I will do a dance on Sunday!!! LOL :carrot:

I got a walk - jog in yesterday, which felt so good. :running: I have really been slack with the exercise for a couple of weeks. Trying to get into the routine, but this weather is really making me lazy......

Hope everyone has a great day and for those of you in the Winter wonderfuland - stay warm. :snow4:

Sandy

blog = www.mygritsconfessions.com

Hello ladies,
well it's February 1st, so I guess I'll kick this off.
I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 9,5 lbs!:dance:
I'm so pleased I don't know what to do with myself.

So for the pants challenge:
I have one lovely pair of burgundy cords that I could get into but not close, and a pair of slacks (same size, same store, go figure) that I could not even get into.
As of this morning I can close the cords (yea). I'm not saying they look awesome, but at my current weight looking awesome is not really on the cards no matter what I wear.
The slacks I can now get over my caboose, but I can't close them yet. Need a few more inches for that one.
So my next goal in the Spring Pants Challenge is to be able to get the slacks to close, and I'll check again on March 1st how I'm doing.

That's enough about me, so how are all you awesome losers doing out there?
can't wait to hear from you!!!
Carla

Good Morning Everyone,

After I lost 30 lbs, I raided my closet and got rid of EVERYTHING that didn't fit. So, when I joined this challenge, I had to buy a pair of too-small pants. Went to one of the after-Christmas sales & got a really cute pair of brown light-weight jeans (will be able to wear them in Spring weather) with cute buttons on the waistband - meant for shirts worn inside. The pants are size 12 petite (I fit comfortably in size 14 petite). Tried them on this morning - let's just say, I'd get arrested if I wore them out. Still have about an inch and a half before they button/snap.

Lynn

I tried on my size 12 jeans but I'm not quite there yet. Just a few more pounds should do it. Unfortunately, I am at a weight where I usually stall so I need to be patient and persevere. I can do this.

Hey Losers,
I didn't realize Feb 1st was on a Sunday LOL....just got back into town so I'll post my pants status tomorrow. Lynn, Carla and Tera.....you are on your way! Bravo! Hope I have some progress to report.:D
Eileen:carrot:

Well,
It isn't record breaking but progress non the less! The stretch jeans button and zip with a mild muffin top! Why I might be able to comfortably fit these if I work hard in Feb. I can get the non-stretch 16's over my butt however....I've got miles to go before they fasten in the front.
Pretty good reports for the first month ladies!
Let's aim for some more good news in March!:D
Eileen

Well,
It isn't record breaking but progress non the less! The stretch jeans button and zip with a mild muffin top! Why I might be able to comfortably fit these if I work hard in Feb. I can get the non-stretch 16's over my butt however....I've got miles to go before they fasten in the front.
Pretty good reports for the first month ladies!
Let's aim for some more good news in March!:D
Eileen

Hi Eileen,

I LOVE the "muffin-top" image. VERY descriptive.

Lynn

Tried on my cords this morning and I could get them buttoned and zipped up but still not comfortable enough to wear. I'll always have a muffin top...sigh...I have so much stomach fat that I'd be probably be so thin and near the point of death and still have a rounded belly. Here's hoping another month will make a good difference.

I am game. I have a closet full of pants I would love to fit again. I am up for this challenge because that is what prompted me to get serious about losing weight. I can't afford a whole new wardrobe.

When is the deadline for the Spring Pants Challenge?
Count me in coz my expensive jeans are too small and I was too proud to take them back to exchange for the next size up!
This is a good motivator!

Welcome DiBaskin & TeresaUK!

I believe you just check in on the 1st of the month and tell about your progress. The next update will be March 1st. Of course you can leave a message anytime.

:cheer3::cheer2::cheer3::cheer2:

I tried on my pants this morning. I can actually snap/button them!!!!! :carrot::carrot::carrot:

They are WAY too tight to wear them (and breathe at the same time), but they are a LOT closer to being wearable than they were when I bought them last month.

Lynn

Yeah Lynn! You are getting there.

Congratulations everyone, for sticking it out and getting one step closer to zipping those pants and wearing the out soemwhere special to celebrate!

I am a bit closer to wearing mine too. I can zip them, but wearing them would not be a pretty sight! But by the end of Feb. these babies will fit!

This is my mid month progress report. I am so close to a size 12. I can wear them but they are mighty snug. On the other hand, the size 14 don't stay on my waist! Just need to lose a few more and they will be perfect. I have tons of size 14 pants for spring from past years when I lost weight. Most are like new though since I can't seem to stay at that weight for long. Hopefully not this time.

About ten more days until March 1st.....
the pants are waiting........:o

Hi, folks. I'm new to the forum, but I really like this idea of the pants challenge.
My ultimate "pants" goal is to get back into the 10's I was wearing 5 years ago. In the meantime, a few weeks ago, I went out and bought two pairs of size 16 pants for the first time ever in my life. I have still been wearing my 14's, too. But, the 14's had become too tight to be comfortable and they gave me that stuffed bulgy look. The 16's were a good fit (sigh).

So, my immediate goal is to get back to the point where the 14's were a bit loose and 16's were waaaaaayyyyy too big. (I can't believe I'm saying that; the weight just seemed to creep on so sneakily! It seems like yesterday that I was disappointed and upset that the 12's were tight!!!) So, anyway, I won't mind a bit if it turns out that I bought those 16's for a few weeks of use and then took them to the Salvation Army store.

Is this challenge going to start again March 1st? Unfortunately, I'm hoping that by then I'll already be wearing the 14's more comfortably. I've just been on-the-wagon for about a week, so this first couple of weeks should register that relatively big drop you always get at the beginning. I suppose it is possible that I could be into 12's by April, but that seems like aiming at too fast a drop.

So, if it isn't considered cheating to join into a challenge with only six days left, I want to be comfortably into the 14's by March 1st. I think that is possible, but things are likely to slow down after that.

I will be happy to fit into a size 12 again.

Well, yep, I'll actually be pretty happy to get into 12's. What will probably happen is that I'll make it down to 12's and then always have 10's as the elusive dream. I only got into 10's when I could run and those days are over for me. Anyway, first eyes on the immediate goal... to get into the 14's comfortably.

Would love to get in on a March challenge! Started at 20-22!!!! Now at 18 and would love to see 16 by April 1. One day at a time....One size at a time!

March 1st is tomorrow.....hmmm pants.....:D

Hi everyone
l'll kick off March 1st.
Unfortunately I have made very little progress, I have only lost 4 lbs. in February and am no closer to getting into my slacks now than I was on February 1st.
The last month has been a bit of a problem healthwise, but I am getting better now, so I can start getting some exercize which will help improve things.
Sorry to start things on a not so good note, but I'll plug away at things in March and hope to have better news on April 1st.
Meanwhile I am looking forwards to seeing how you all are doing!!!
:cheer:YOU GO, GIRLS:cheer:

Happy March 1st. It's our first (and likely our last) snowfall of the year here in Atlanta. It is so beautiful.

Well, unfortunately my pants still don't fit but I am very close. WaaH! It's my own fault. I had been steadily losing weight since November but in the last two weeks I got really lazy about what I was eating. I do this everytime I hit a certain weight. Anyway, I just have to get tough with myself. I swear by April 1st I will be able to wear those jeans!!!!

Well, I have to look at the big picture. From Jan. until now the 'bagel top' has diminished to a 'muffin top' and I can wear the stretch jeans <---even out in public!:carrot:
Feb. has been a slow losing month, but weight that comes off slowly stays off right? I'm still committed to this WOE, no choice cause the weight is going down not up.
I sure would like to report 'onederland' by April for sure! A non-muffin top for spring will be great as well.
Bravo! So far nobody has to buy a bigger pants size!!!
How's everybody else doing?

Hi Everyone,

I lost about 5 lbs in February. The pants definitely snap/zip up. However, still too tight to wear comfortably. I'm guessing (if I can lose another 5 lbs in March), that they will fit by my birthday in April.

Lynn

Well, Lynn it's progress! I can't zip the 'non-stretch" pair or even pull them all the way up.
I have to say when I started this I thought I would have lost more weight by now....it just seems to hover around the same 5 pounds for weeks! Today I was up 2 pounds:?::?:
Thank goodness for the measurements.....down another inch in my waist, hips the same.
Progress!

Well, my gloria stretch pants are fitting better these days....I need to stick with my WOE and keep good thoughts for "April Fools Day"!!!!!:carrot:

what a lot of time i've wasted! If I had really been diligent I would be wearing my jeans by now. Instead they are still a bit too tight. But I am renewing my pledge and I have made progress. These last 2 weeks have been Op and i expect to see some results soon. i don't count on anything untill I see it. My body doesn't always do what it's supposed to do. But i do know that if i continue I will lose, I just have to be patient.

spring pants checking in coming soon to a forum near you......:)

OK - it's official - I lost 5 lbs since I began this challenge and now fit into the pants. I took them today to get shortened & plan to wear them to my birthday camping get-together in early April.

Hopefully, someone will take some photos & I will post.

Now, how about a "Summer Dress Challenge?"

Lynn

LYNN Bravo!!! Please share pics.....
you are such a LOSER...
I went skiing today and I can tell my pants aren't as tight ... but I've still got miles to go......
:carrot:

I am just starting 3FC today - but I know just the pants! They're my favorite, and I'm trying them on Wednesday morning :o fit or no fit.

Kate

Well, even though I have lost almost no weight, I seem to be losing inches: the slacks finally close.:carrot:
That having been said, there is definitely serious muffin-top going on, so I won't be wearing them in public any time soon.
As for a dress challenge, I don't do dresses so I won't be doing that one.
I'll check in again May 1st to let you know how the muffin-top is doing.
Keep it up girls!

I've lost some inches....I can see some abs now! But the muffin top is still there .,,, but no longer a bagel top!
I have a beautiful velvet black sheath type classic dress that I've been trying to fit into for years......now that would be a challange!

I weight exactly the same as I did March 1st so of course my pants are still too tight in the waist. Darn it. I will be back next month. I really think I can do it. Historically, April has always been a good month to lose weight for me.

I haven't checked in here for ages. I've been away and then so busy when I got back home. I've actually worn my pants. A bit tight around the waist but I wore then anyway. Can't wait until they're too big!!

Yeah retiredone. I can see from your ticker that you are doing awesome. Enjoy the spring pants!

My challenge is not pants nor is it for spring. I have a skirt I have to get into by summer for my son’s wedding in July. (Only 17 to go!) If I don’t get going, I will have to find something else to wear and I love this new outfit I bought! So I am right there with all of you… eyeing that skirt in the closet!!

Well, I was feeling pretty cocky that my pants are so much easier to zip and a lot less blubbage leaking out the top and then....
I tried on some capri pants that I couldn't fit into last year......oh man fail!
Can't even begin to get that zipper to close:fr::fr: LOL!!!!
New pants project peeps.......
Check in with you all on May day....

I wore my pants to work today but they are still really tight. I wanted to wear them because they are relatively high waisted and all my other jeans are lower waisted and kind of loose so my fat tummy is always showing, ick! I am down two pounds since April 1st. Another couple of pounds should do it. That will be the day I lose two pounds in a week though. It usually takes me a month. Oh well, moving in the right direction.

Hi Everyone,

I have a photo of me in my pants, but it is too big. I need to "resize." As soon as I remember how to do that, I will attach.

Lynn

Well, my pants are fitting better. I am still in the same size but progress is progress no matter how slow.
I was feeling kinda frustrated with the slowness of the scale. So I measured as this is a new month....
another 1 inch off my waist (total 4 inches) and another 1 inch off my hips (total 3 inches)....
so progress is being made:carrot:
how are you doing?????
I think we shall switch to the 'summer pants challange' at the end of May......:D

I need a summer challenge because I did not make the Spring challenge. Oh well. My weight is slightly less then it was a month ago so that is better than gaining. Hopefully those pants will fit by fall. I have a lot going on in my life right now and I am hoping to just maintain. Would losing my mind count the same as losing pounds?!

Way2fluffy-Way to go on taking off the inches!

Cannot figure out how to turn without making it too big to load.

Lynn

Great job Lynn:D:cp::cp::cp::dancer::dancer::dancer: