I asked myself: Why not be better looking while I'm losing, instead of waiting for months and months? This will help prepare me mentally for my new self. People have posted about better makeup, a flattering hair style, mani-pedi, exfoliation, moisturizing, wearing contact lenses, whitening teeth, new perfume, and all of this adds does better one's perception of oneself.
But I'm also leaving behind old fat habits and forcing myself to make more eye contact and smiling more (in a natural way). Learning to be comfortable and light-hearted in large social situations.
I also need to leave behind the comfortable, functional shoes and get some moderate heels from brands that specialize in comfort. I've been out of high heels for so long, that I need to get a high pair and practice being graceful in them again. That's easier now that I've lost some weight.
I also keep a full set of clothes in the next size down and each weekend try on a top and pair of pants to see if I'm ready to move down. Zippers really do show progress. I find that Lee Rider pants, jeans and tapered shirts, polo tops allow me to have fitted work and casual wardrobes at any size. I dress up navy chinos and white shirt with a good blazer and a scarf. Buy decent blazers on sale at JCPenneys. (I've even bought the same blazer brands on ebay.) Hanes underwear and Playtex bras also have consistent sizing. Lee, Hanes, and Playtex are relatively inexpensive and occasionally go on sale at Kmart and Walmart. Buy lots of sizes when it's on sale. I also make sure I have workout clothes in a smaller size. The best thing: the days I can take my old clothes to Goodwill. I get them out of the house right away - no back sliding.
I have purchased all the accessories I will need when I have reached my goal as they are mostly sizeless (handbags, jewelry, scarves on eBay) . But, I have made a detailed list of my "perfect" wardrobe and I am ready to buy when I reach my goal.
I need to stop living like a fat person and start practicing for the new chapter in my life. I would be interested in your ideas, especially on replacing poor social skills that fat people adopt in order to cope.