Size XL please!!!

Hooray!!! I am so excited. I went shopping for the first time since we joined the foreign service and I started do physical activity in an attempt to shed some pounds. When we got to VA in January I was pushing the seam limits of my size 22 jeans and wearing 2X shirts (an attempt to hide the many rolls that exist in the middle of my body). This is hard to tell everyone. What woman wants everyone to know her size? Especially when it's a PLUS size. It's hard to shop for that size too. The only clothes that exist in the larger sizes within my budget are very, pardon me for saying, "Old Lady-ish". There is no style whatsoever to them and I would like to look my age if not younger. And those stores that do cater to the younger larger woman are more pricey and I can only afford the clearance items that have been marked down several times in an attempt to get rid of last years styles.

So, back to the story. Oakwood offered Yoga twice a week and I had always wanted to try it so I jumped in and add Yoga to my schedule for the Lent season. I bought a pair of XXL yoga pants on the clearance rack at Wal*Mart (sounds funny to say clearance and Wal*Mart in the same sentence) and a yoga mat and hid in the back of the room each week. It was more of a work out than I thought it would be but I kept telling myself that this is what I needed. I usually eat right but have always lacked the physical activity needed to loose any weight.

I knew that something was happening when I was able to touch my toes again, probably the first time since having kids. I was so excited at this new found flexibility but Ben didn't quite get it, even though he is still not able to touch his toes. Then I started noticing that my size 22 was no longer bulging and I was having to roll down the waist of my pants to keep them up. Since all of our summer clothes were in storage we were forced to buy some summer clothes while there so that we could dress weather appropriate. I was able to buy a size 20, and even got a pair of capris that said size 18 (I guess it all depends on the brand). SCORE! I think I only bought one shirt and it was of course a 2X. I remember trying the smaller sizes and feeling a little discouraged but I was still able to buy a size smaller than I was wearing before so....happy, happy, joy, joy.

I didn't buy too much because I knew I still had some clothes in storage that I would need to try on and that maybe would fit me right now that I had "Flexability". And I was right. When we finally got our shipment from storage I had a couple of pairs of shorts that I was embarrased to wear last summer that I love wearing now. They are size 20 and are fitting a little loose, which is ok with me. I always prefer things to be a little loose than skin tight. I also had several pairs of capris that were the larger size that I have since retired to the Goodwill. My dresses fit better too. Big thumbs up there because I like wearing dresses, it makes me feel girly even though I am most definately NOT.

So for lack of anything better to do, and out of a need for a little de-stressing, I went shopping last week. I had no intentions of buying anything but ended up with several new items to add to my wardrobe. One day it was Kohl's only because it was across the street from BJ's and I had about 20 minutes to kill before picking up Andy from school. Those clearance racks really paid off for me. I got 2 shirts for $12 and the girl circled the receipt and told me that I had saved something like $54. WOW!!! Next it was Ross where I found a cute little knit dress for everyday wear. I actually took pictures with my phone in the dressing room and emailed them to Ben and he let me know which one he liked best. Isn't technology great?! Finally I hit Target after a big blow up with Danny the day before and spent 2 whole hours there alone! LOVED IT! I don't think I have ever been anywhere for that long by myself before. It wasn't too dangerous either. I managed to find a 12 person tent, original price of $199.99, on clearance for $50! I snatched that up very quickly. I also bought 2 more shirts and a bathing suit coverup, costing me no more than $3 each.  I almost forgot that I hit up Wal*Mart on Friday and found a pair of size 18 shorts that fit perfectly for only $4. Yipee! The best part of all is that the 4 shirts that I bought in all last week were all sized XL! Who would have thought that I would ever be able to fit into an XL and it look good on me. I took a picture with my sisters this weekend and love the way I look in it. I have a waist again, and even my chin looks thinner. Now I am just being too vain! I know that I still have a long way to go but am proud of myself for how far I have already come, even if it is only 2 sizes.

This made my whole weekend, and made up for everything that had gone wrong last week. I was, and still am, so proud of myself and excited that I finally look the size I feel. Now I guess I should start feeling a size 10 or so?! Naaa, I think I will stick to a 16/18 for a little while. That is where I always wanted to get back to. Baby Steps.