The Proof Is In The Jeans

Little River Trail - GSMNP

February, 2012

I am not one of those who will ever tell you that I like the way I am built.  I have my mother to thank for it!  It doesn't matter if I weigh 120 or 220, my body will ALWAYS be out of proportion.  I will ALWAYS have large hips and thighs which are even more exaggerated because I have a very small upper body and waist.  No matter how much weight I gain or lose, my upper body stays the same.  In some respects, that works well because weight gains are very easy to hide.  It's all in the hips and thighs!

Shopping for clothes is, always has been and always will be, a complete nightmare.  And this is precisely why I HATE to shop.  Clothes just simply do not fit my body.  And this is applicable no matter what size I am currently wearing or what weight the scales are reflecting.  I have never in my life been able to purchase a two-piece anything!  And one thing I've certainly never been able to buy are slacks or a skirt with a normal waistband.  I've seen many comments made (some with a sarcastic bent) about wearing clothes with elastic in the waistband and quite frankly, I find those offensive because there are circumstances (like mine) where that is the only choice.  But I digress!  

It is no secret that I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl.  Soon to be shorts and t-shirt kind of girl!!  And finding jeans that fit and also looked good was so hard.  So a few years ago, when I found a style that fit me well (with small section of elastic just on the sides of the waistband), I bought two pair in the correct size PLUS two of one size larger and two of one size smaller.  Shortly after, I began losing weight.  To make a long story short, I now own two pair of these jeans in EVERY size from 12 - 22.  I can just hear you laughing.  In the spirit of total honesty, in a few sizes, I own THREE pair.  Remember, I am retired.  In the cooler months, the only time I am NOT wearing jeans is when I am headed to church or in something more comfortable while at home!  

When in losing mode, I keep the next smaller size in my closet where I can see them every time I open the door.  Every couple of weeks, I pull on the next smaller size to see if I can see any progress.  A month ago, I was able to start wearing those jeans.  I immediately went to the storage bin and pulled out the NEXT smaller size and laid it in the top of my closet knowing it was a long time before I'd fit into them.

For some unknown reason, yesterday afternoon, I pulled those jeans down thinking I'd check to see just how far I needed to go before they'd fit.  I pulled them on, they slid effortlessly over those thighs, hips and by george, up they zipped!  And I could breathe!  In fact, they fit perfectly!  Just to be sure, I checked the size!  Then I took them off and tried on the second pair in that same size.  Guess what??  They fit also!  It was no fluke and I wasn't hallucinating.  

I may not have lost much weight last month, but I sure as heck redistributed some!!  I give complete credit to two things.  1)  I have always believed that my sugar/carb sensitive body sent those items directly to my hips/thighs.  I've often joked that there was no need to swallow bread or sweets.  Just slap them on my hips cause that's where they're headed anyway.  The 17DD has worked so well for me and even though the rate of pounds lost has slowed, the inches are literally melting off.   2) Hiking as much as I do in the mountains certainly has an impact on inches lost and also from where they are lost!

It was a happy moment and I am wearing that smaller size proudly.  And you better believe, I've already been back to the storage bin and pulled out the NEXT smaller size.  It's waiting in the top of closet.   And it's not going to have to wait long!   It's also my smallest size!!   I know they will fit at goal weight.  And it is one of the sizes I have THREE pair.  Good - because it's the last size I'm ever going to wear!!

Mr. B made it back from Germany after a wonderfully successful week with his choir!  They behaved like responsible adults and sang like angels in every concert.  He was thrilled and exhausted!  My week without him was not drama free.  There were episodes with my parents and multiple episodes with MIL.  In addition, I manage to put a huge scratch on HIS car while in Atlanta and the workers who came to put our new gutters on (finally getting all that squared away from hail damage last spring) made a complete mess of our front yard after having me tell them specifically and emphatically that they were NOT to park or drive in the yard.  

But I did have a great time grocery shopping in Atlanta and enjoyed relaxing in my room at the Ponce de Leon Place Bed and Breakfast.  It was a hectic week all the way around and I am hoping for a much quieter few days ahead.  Planning to start it off with a hike in the mountains where hopefully, I'll be headed when you read this!!

Am I crazy to own the same pair of jeans in all sizes?  Have you ever done anything like that?