Nobody Prepares you for this part...

[AngelaLou99 36]

Of what I'm calling an Emotional Roller Coaster. I'm almost down 100 pounds. I got through the winter and spring clothing wise. Now that its warning up, I don't have many casual summer clothes after having to get rid of all the old stuff. Which is great, but, now I have to replace some key wardrobe basics to get me through the summer.

I used to be one who LOVED to shop, but now I somewhat dread it because it's now frustrating. I either have to take the time to figure out what size I need by trying on, or guess at it and take it home to see if it works or not and go back to the store. I used to be able to go to the size I needed an go. Not so much anymore!

While I am happy about my success, and ecstatic that I am wearing 8-10 size smaller than this time last year (and I AM NOT GOING BACK) it's just sometimes surreal looking at the new me.

Has anyone felt like this? How do you deal with it?

[lellow 1,713]

I was the complete opposite. I loved going in to a shop and thinking I was many sizes bigger than I actually was. I went from hating shopping because I could only shop at the big girl's stores, to loving shopping because I could buy anything I wanted because I could get it in my size.

When I was losing I mainly shopped cheaply because I knew I'd go down a size in a couple of weeks, but even that felt amazing to me!

[Lose100 178]

Congratulations on your success. Now take the time to enjoy it. You said that before you could just grab clothes and go. Take a few minutes in the dressing room to try the clothes on, that is part off the fun. I love it when I take in different sizes and get surprised when the smaller size fits. My me, it's like taking time to smell the roses. And yes, it does since surreal at times because my brain is still trying to process the change.

[Spaness2012 609]

I can relate to this. I never loved or hated to shop. But I knew I could go and find the size I needed and call it a day. Now I obsess with trying things on.....does it fit, does it not....will it be too big in a few weeks.....is it too small to wear now? It's a constant battle. But the upside is that the clothes are smaller and cheaper!! Congrats on your amazing success!

[healthy and happy 64]

Gosh I am the exact opposite!!! I love going shopping and being able to go to the "regular" side of the store instead of the plus side. I dont mind at all trying something on to realize i need a smaller size. I hated shopping before becuase no matter what I tried on, it didtnt look good, It wasnt the clothes-it was my body!! Now I look good in my clothes and I am loving it. My teenage daughter acts like she is my fashion consultant and she enjoys helping me shop as much as I enjoy it for myself.

Just look in that mirror at the dressing room and be reminded of how far you have come on your journey!

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

I'm with Lellow, shopping was a chore to be done. Now, it rocks, finding that I can fit into clothes that I never dreamed I would be able too. Buying something a little too tight, and loving the feeling when it fits just right and then starts to get loose!

[SashaWLS 412]

Congrats!!! I'm with you, it's hard now. Overwhelming.

[his_spirit 62]

It is quite overwhelming to suddenly realize that you have to replace everything! I even had to change shoes as I lost a size there too. It took my brain a long time to catch up to what I really looked like and most days it still hasn't. I see the fat girl still when I look in the mirror in the change room.

[ttny007 29]

I think I'm a little of both lol. I look in the mirror and can't believe I'm this thin and I love that I can put on a size 6 where I used to be a tight 22, however I am finding that the clothes are really ugly. I'm 54 and I don't want to look like rainbow sherbet! I find I'm more frustrated now I think because I have more options which I didn't have before.

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

It takes the brain longer to catch up. Always start one size down from what you are currently wearing. It is very gratifying to find that the selections will fit or even be too large! Enjoy the feelings, you earned it!

[Joy1961 134]

Absolutely. It's so much fun to buy such smaller clothes. But stressful at the same time that everything i had saved to get into some day is way too big. I mean everything. Underwear even!! It's expensive too. My husband has no work. So happy but stressed sums it up. But I agree. I am never going back either!!

[Lori123 170]

It's called. "Thrift stores"! Don't buy new until you get to your goal weight. I too am struggling with how my body is changing but I smile knowing I'm never going back!

[gowalking 10,790]

Of what I'm calling an Emotional Roller Coaster. I'm almost down 100 pounds. I got through the winter and spring clothing wise. Now that its warning up, I don't have many casual summer clothes after having to get rid of all the old stuff. Which is great, but, now I have to replace some key wardrobe basics to get me through the summer.

I used to be one who LOVED to shop, but now I somewhat dread it because it's now frustrating. I either have to take the time to figure out what size I need by trying on, or guess at it and take it home to see if it works or not and go back to the store. I used to be able to go to the size I needed an go. Not so much anymore!

While I am happy about my success, and ecstatic that I am wearing 8-10 size smaller than this time last year (and I AM NOT GOING BACK) it's just sometimes surreal looking at the new me.

Has anyone felt like this? How do you deal with it?

I sure do understand what you are saying Angela. I've dropped over 60 lbs. and did a bunch of shopping while vacationing in Florida this week. I was super frustrated because I didn't look good in alot of stuff....especially the new styles of bathing suits out there.

Plus I'm dealing with loose skin...my tummy and thighs are bad, as are my breasts. They seem to have deflated and the suits have no support on top. I am buying cheap clothes at the moment and when I get closer to goal...and maybe even after having some plastic surgery, I'll pay more attention to buying better fitting stuff.

In fact, I have a wedding in July and I found a dress in the back of my closet that I liked when I bought it and it fits again. I suspect I have this dress at least ten or more years and have no idea if I will look ridiculous or not, but I'm going to wear that old dress and consider it 'vintage'.