I was always a size 7/8...sometimes I would be able to fit into a size 5/6 (depending on the brand)...but two years ago I temporarily moved out of my house (for school) and I wasn't used to being on my own. Eating garbage/junk/whatever you want to call it at all hours of the day, alcohol....that stuff really took a toll on my body. After I came back home I got on the scale and weighed myself and was in shock. I had never been that big before, and I fit into a size 14 (perfectly). I was in disbelief...the weight had crept up slowly. I know it was my fault b/c I didnt do anything about it while it was happening...I just "let myself go". Today I tried on a pair of size 9 skinny jeans and they fit. My goal is to be able to fit into a size 3/4 perfectly. I'm so motivated, I know I can do it.

I had a good laugh today on this subject... I pulled out my blouses that I used to wear last year when I worked for an airline. I was going to take them to a friend still working there. Anyway, they looked huge so I thought I'd see how big.... Well, I put it on and my 13 year old climbed in it with me and we could button it!!! I decided to keep one of them and see if we could fit another one of my girls in it when I make my goal!

Carla you are awesome! This is the most inspiring thread!! You are going to be and truly are already a wonderful coach!

It is amazing how being the same height can not mean being the same size at all. It just goes to prove that you can't go by the old height and weight chart. I would have never believed at 138 I could fit into a size 6 pants and a m/l top. I started IP at the beginning of July 2010 wearing a tight sz 14 pants and a XL top. I have been on WW off an on my entire life (first time @10 years old). I have lost then regained everytime, I also lost a lot of weigh using phen phen. Gained it back. A year before starting IP, I was exercising 1 and a half hours 5 days a week, I didn't lose but was looking better and not gaining. But then I just got busy with life, didn't get to the gym and walaa! gained 12 pounds. IP has saved me, it has been the easiest most wonderful thing that could have happened. I feel better then I have ever felt in my life, more energy and full of confidence. I have lost almost 40 pounds, am now on phase 3 and loving it. I will never gain this weight back again. I will never let myself forget how terrible I felt when eating bad foods and wearing clothes that choked me!! I love IP!! Keep telling your stories, this is fun and so inspiring!!

lol you should definitely post a picture of that

Wow! Carla, thanks for coming up with this thread. It has been really hard for my brain to adjust to my changing body.

I started IP in April, 2010 and to date have lost 37 pounds. I know that many others on as long as I have been have lost more, but I am content to lose this amount for now and maintain it for a while and then lose the next phase of weight.

I am a school teacher and lost most of my weight during my summer break. This meant that I was just wearing ‘lounge/workout’ clothes all the time and never really putting on my normal dress clothes. When school began in the fall, boy was I in for a surprise! I did not have anything to wear. Most of my clothes just hung on my body. Now I am the kind of person who does not like my clothes to touch my body, so even though I was big, I bought my clothes even bigger. So now when I put something on from pre-IP it will not even stay on my body. I have been one of those who has lost most of my weight in my bottom half. I am hoping my next phase of weight loss takes it from the top 

So, I had to shop for clothes. Not something I am very good at, but even harder when I did not know what size I was. I knew that pre-IP I was a 16/18W bottom with a 1X or XXL top. The next size down would be a 14 with an XL top….right? Well, not for me. I tried these on and they just hung off of me. The saleslady came by and asked if I needed a different size…..I said “uhhh…I dunno know” she said oh yea you need a size 12, I will be right back. Okay, now I am in the dressing room staring at myself in the mirror…looks like the same fat person to me….and she brings me a size 12. I said are you sure this is marked correctly?....(I swear this is the truth) she said yes, and be sure and get these a little tight (jeans) because they will stretch as you wear them. Okay, so holding my breath I try these jeans on. I can usually tell immediately if something is going to fit by the way my leg first goes in the pants and I am thinking okay this may not be so bad…..well I got them on…didn’t even have to suck it in to zip them….they just fit! I cannot remember ever wearing a size 12 in my adult life. I am sure I did, but I am 52 years old and the memory does not go back much before pre-kids!

I still am not comfortable shopping for clothes by myself because I do not trust the sizes I am wearing. And that ugly green monster keeps whispering in my ear that this won’t last for long, and I will be back in my ‘regular size’. Well I will continue to fight the battle and hope to slay that ugly monster soon.

Hope this has not been too boring to read. I am not much of a writer, but this really hit home when Carla brought up this topic. IP is working for me and I hope to keep working it!

wen

I was 166 when I started and was a size 12ish... now at just under 140 I can easily wear a size 6.... I feel great and have to get away from setting my goal with a "scale number" for my hieght and body style... my goal of 120ish just will look scary on me....

that is just beyond awesome!!!

Wow!!! That is so funny and awesome!!! You're family must be so proud of you!!!

Yep, I have a great family! That little girl has probably done 80% of the cooking for the family since I started this and at 13 she is learning healthy choices and ways of preparing food. My 17 year old had someone say to her that she looks like her mom and when I apologized, she said, NO that's a good thing! And then, there's my 20 year old. She's doing the shopping for the family this morning. And of course, my skinny husband cheerleader! I am very blessed!

Wow, everyone is very inspiring!! I haven't posted for a long time but do lurk occasionally. I started August 7th and was 163 and in a size 14 pant (too big but couldn't fit into a 12 without looking horrible) and probably a large top. I have very curvy hips and while they are decreasing, they certainly will never allow me to be in a size 6!! I just bought a size 10 pair of skinny jeans that look pretty good. I'd be a medium top I think. I'd love to buy a size 8 pant by Christmas. I'm starting phase 2 even though I haven't hit my goal but I do intend to continue with a healthy lifestyle and lose those last 10 lbs!

So excited I "shopped" in my spare closet. All my 16s went on with ease....gap, old navy, ny and company, jc penny, casual corner, ann taylor, jones ny.....on and on....they all fit. so excited....here I come 14

Even more excited some of those 16's are so loose that they gotta go. Some of them are still good, but many GONE! Hopefully tomorrow I hit 30 pounds (29.5 as of this morning). 6 weeks and one day so far.

When I started IP the second week of June, I was wearing a very snug size 18 pants and usually a 1X or 2X top. Now, 45 pounds lighter, I am in a size 10 pants and a medium shirt. I can relate to still seeing my "fat" self in the mirror. Whether at home, or in the dressing room of a store, I can't believe my body is fitting into these smaller sizes. I'm amazed and delighted. Because I want to lose 30 more pounds, I have not bought many clothes, but since I'm a teacher and need to dress up each day, I have a few mix and match so it looks like I have different outfits during the week.
I'm excited to see what size I'll be wearing when I reach my goal! Another weird thing, several of my shoes are now too big!!

Given: When you live in the tropics you need fewer clothes and you don't change them from one season to another.

I've been wearing Chico's and Lands End skirts, size 3 and L, since I started, and haven't needed to change because of the elastic waist. Large tops. While I fit into medium now, the L don't look bad -- especially when you wash them in hot water.

I can't wait to get to Germany and hit Oxfam for winter clothes which, frankly, I don't have in abundance.