the conundrum of clothes...

I know...another post about clothes.

But right now they are what is on my mind.

In the past 16 months I've gone from a size 18W to a size 8-10-12. So not only do I look different but different clothes fit. Old styles that used to fit my obese body curves no longer fit. I could walk into Lane Bryant and know I was a 2 Red Square. Now, I can't even go in there and find anything. Not even undies. That's right...my undies don't fit. I need a new brand but I've worn LB undies for oh, 8 years and I LOVE them but they just.don't.fit anymore!

Many of my 1X and 18/16 size clothes I have donated or sold to consignment shops. But now I have to decide what to do with the 14/12 clothes. Do I keep them? I don't WANT to go back to that size but life happens. And if life negatively happens and I have to wear those sizes again I sure as hell don't want to be buying bigger sizes again.

BUT...It is my sincere hope that life doesn't happen {or if it does I can handle it}. So....do I alter my clothes that I have now that are too big but I only wore for a few months? Last fall I bought some nice 3/4 sleeve shirts for work. I only wore them for a month or so until it just got too cold and I had to wear long sleeves. Now they are way too big but I want to wear them. I've thought about getting them altered {taken in} so that I can wear them through this summer. But once I alter them, I cannot go back.

Another part of this is how I look in clothes...but maybe I'll save that for another post ;-)

Alterations are certainly a cheaper alternative to buying a whole new top wardrobe. I have a wonderful lady who altered some of my 1X/XL shirts into Large's last summer and now I want them smaller! Is this normal?? I even had my swim suit altered!!!

Then there's the thing of swim suits. We bought tickets last night to go to Arizona for a few nights over spring break!! Then I realized I needed to go swimsuit shopping. I know my chest is still rather large and needs supports so "regular" swimsuits won't work. The most supportive suits are plus sized suits {they have the padding and shelf bra}. I guess I just need to BUCK UP and do it this weekend...but I am dredding it. I found the BEST suit last year on LB and I should have just bought 5!!! Then I could alter them to all different sizes. I swear if I find "the suit" this summer that's what I'm going to do!!!

Clothes really are tricky! I don't want all these nice, new clothes I bought last year to sit in my closet for a few years until I decide to get rid of them. I want to wear them...that's why I bought them. For the most part I think I am going to alter many of my tops but buy some new bottoms.

Fingers crossed {that swimsuit and undie shopping goes good this weekend}...

one year check up!!

I had my endocrinology appointment a few weeks back and got some rave reviews. My doctor was so proud of me {and I with myself}. With Metformin, my glucose and insulin levels are in the average range!!! My bad cholesterol came down into the average range!! It was just the results I'd been working for, hoping for, and waiting for!!

I've decided to, for now, stay on Metformin. Part of me is really, really nervous to take it away. While it is not a weight loss drug - it is an insulin stabilizer and I feel has to have had some result to me losing weight. Granted - I put a LOT of work into this journey...but I'm still nervous.

I am going to see a Naturopath at the end of this month and maybe then, or soon, I will change to an "all natural" insulin stabelizer. I haven't decided yet. Metformin has been shown to have some good results with ovulation...if we go down that path!

Fingers crossed {that my levels stay in the average range}...

being shown the love...

It is NO secret I love barre3. But, now I know that barre3 loves me!!!

My local barre3 studio gave me a little shout out on Facebook. It made me feel SSSOOO special and there's been a few people who have began talking to me & congratulating me! I love connecting with people so this is amazing!

Not only do I love my local barre3 but I am lucky enough to live pretty close to the barre3 Home Office and the Pearl studio and all the amazing people there! Since I live and love here in the PNW I am lucky enough to have shared my story with some of the "higher ups" at barre3. They loved my story SO much they featured me on their weekly emails and their blog!!! I still feel like someone should pinch me.

I was the poster child {for lack of a better term} for the barre3 Share Your Story contest. While I'm not able to win any of the stellar prizes {Vitamix mixer and free clothes} there is a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR thing in the works that I can't wait to share with you!!!

It was also pretty startling one morning to wake up and see my face smiling from the cover page of the one and only Sadie Lincoln {founder of barre3}!!!

Fingers crossed {that this is just the beginning of a beautiful relationship between barre3 and myself}...

i lost sixty pounds!!!

I did it. I have lost sixty {yes, 60} pounds. I did it the hard way - by changing my lifestyle. By taking the time to learn about my body. And by spending a crazy amount of money to get there.

It was worth every moment, ounce of sweat, penny, salad, bad moment, good moment, a few doughnuts, new foods, sore muscles, and tear.

I also learned I have the most amazing support system. From friends, family, coworkers, facebook friends, the barre3 community, doctors and even a few complete strangers I have been supported in so many ways. But none, not a single one, matters as much as the support of my husband who, himself, has lost almost 40 pounds.

I am happy, almost content, lighter, quicker to smile, feeling more positive, energized and excited about the future. One year ago I probably wouldn't have used very many of those adjectives to describe myself.

On to the obligatory comparison picture!!

Left ~ September 2011 ~ 220 lbs

Right ~ January 2013 ~ 160 lbs

 

Left ~ September 2011 ~ 220lbs

Middle Left ~ April 2012 ~ 200 lbs

Middle Right ~ August 2012 ~ 180 lbs

Right ~ January 2013 ~ 160 lbs

 

One of my favorite parts of this journey has been finding my place in the world at barre3. I am so proud of the work I have done there on myself and the others I have inspired! Thanks for the love barre3 Vancouver!!!!

 

Fingers crossed {that the next 10 pounds is as fulfilling as the last 60}...

the night before...

While I am a morning person, I am not someone who likes to get out of bed in the morning. I like to lazy around, reading the news and playing words with friends. It's a habit I'm hoping to break. I'd say I spend a good 30 minutes in bed every morning on my phone. It's a sick addiction. I leave about 7:30ish to get to work in 10 minutes.

Then there is my husband. He works in downtown Portland and if he left for work at 7am to get there by 8am he'd end up getting there at 8:30am because there is so much traffic. He somehow manages, at least 3 days per week, to get up at 4:30 AM {the one where it is cold, dark, and wayyyy toooo early} to go to the gym so he can workout and beat traffic. I just can't do that. I tried once and it wasn't a pleasant experience.

Because we both have odd routines in the AM we have really been focusing on getting ready for the next day, the night before. I make my breakfast & lunch and Jason's when he doesn't have a business meeting the next day. We both get out respective (but matching) gym bags ready! It really does make getting out the door on time a lot easier!!!

My hubby's clothes. He wears his workout gear straight to the gym.

 

All my bags. Yellow is my work stuff bag. Purse. Snack bags for before the workout.

Gym clothes for en evening workout. Shoes too - because I found out once I can forget them!

 

Does anyone else get ready the night before?

 

Fingers crossed {that we can continue these habits}...