Today, I was shopping in a favorite department store. They had some awesome weekend sales. We have an upcoming trip in June to the beach for a family reunion and I am in desperate need of some new warm weather clothing. Of course, I have to shop in the women's department and I found some nice tops to try on. However, I had to walk through the "regular" ladies department (why do they get to be ladies and we must be women?)to get to the fitting room and I saw so many more beautiful clothes than are available in the women's department. And, I remembered. This same time last year, I was shopping in the same store for warm weather clothing for a trip to Florida. At that time, I swore that I'd be buying some of those beautiful clothes in regular ladies sizes the next year. I swore that I'd not let another year go by as a plus size woman. Yet, here I sit at the same exact weight I was this time last year.

So, I'm going on record. I'm committing today. I will not let another year go by as a plus size woman. This time next year, I'll be shopping in the ladies department and wearing regular sizes! Folks, you can take that to the bank!

Good for you. I have a bit of a mini-goal of some fabulous size 18 jeans I have.

Isn't it funny what a motivator clothes can be? As long as something's doing it I can't complain!

This is what I live by as opposed to the scale. I deliberately buy 'target outfits' too small and try them on weekly. That target outfit is usually linked to a special date of some kind. The first time I shopped in regular sizes when I dropped a bunch of weight before was soooo awesome!

Oh Rhonda, I'm so happy to hear you so gung-ho and re-committed!!!!

Fear of me out-sizing myself, even in the plus sized stores was definitely one of my big motivators for finally losing the weight. Clothing was just an absolute horror for me. A horror. Every social event, every summer, every DAY was made soooo much worse by the clothes I was forced to wear. Oh and shopping. What absolute torture. I am still amazed that something that used to be so horrendous is now such an absolute JOY. And you too will be there. You said so yourself!!!!! Good. Now get excited and get cracking. You've got some goals to tend to.

This is going to be your time. I just know it. If there is anything you need, anything at all, please feel free to PM me. I am rooting for you.

Good for you! You can do it and 3FC is her for you with not just support but some pretty great answers too. Can you believe my fave dept. store had the women's section right next to petites? Arrrghhh.

Last year I had a pair of knee length black stretchy, polyester pants--I swear I wore them at least 3-4 times a week because it was the only thing I felt comfortable enough in--uggh..the more I tried to find clothes, the worse it got so finally I just gave up.

You know what? I believe you. I believe IN YOU!!! You can do this and I know that you will I can't wait to see what clothes you will be wearing at this time next year!!!!

And if I can help in any way too please let me know.

I can't wait to shop in the regular ladies department. We can do this! Cute clothes and good health here we come!

I am SO with you Rhonda!!! I have sworn this for the last 4 years, but this time is MY time. WE are NOT going to be shopping in the Womens department next year!! WE are going to be in the ladies!! Let's do this thing!!!!

I know you will do it Rhonda! I am going to do it w you!

Good for you! I'm right there with you sister! By this time next year, we are going down, down, down!!!!

You know, I was just thinking something very similar last night. I'm nowhere near my goal weight yet, but I *have* lost 30 lbs. and have dropped a size. Hubby and I went out last night and I wanted to look cute and I realized I have no cute tops! I've been covering myself up under baggy t-shirts and humongous sweaters for so long! So when payday comes, I think I shall pick up a few cute summery tops now that I can wear an XL instead of a 2X.

Good for you Rhonda! I'm so with you on wanting desperately to be out of "women's" and into "misses" clothes. There are so many more choices and CUTE styles!

I know you can do it! I had to recommit this year, too, so I understand. Let's put the past where it belongs... in the past! And we can move forward!

Clothes triggered me as well and i'm 2 weeks (and 1 day) in totally OP and HAPPY! Girl, you are on the bus! Enjoy your ride

I'm having similar feelings. I began not being able to really shop in plus-sized stores anymore and then I lost over 120 pounds and had gotten myself into some size 12 clothes! For the first time in my life I really loved shopping and how I looked in cute clothes!

But now I have gained back more than 20 pounds. I'm into size 16 and working my way out of "misses" and back into "women's" -- almost but not quite. I really want to get back where I was when shopping was fun.

Last night I boxed up all the clothes in my closet that don't fit. It's sparse in there now, but I'm looking forward to "shopping in my closet" in a few months time...

WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Just fit (WELL!) into my size 4 ralph lauren oxford shirt!! before my arms were so large, i couldn't even get my arms through the sleeves! now the sleeves are loose! best feeling ever clothes are TOTALLY a motivator