Packed up a huge number of clothes today that still fit!

[marypups 111]

I was sleeved in July and have lost around 32 pounds--enough so some of my clothes are too big. I have closets and closets full of clothes in every size from 12 to 20. In recent years, the 20s were tight but I refused to buy new clothes and so I bought a lot of fairly ugly, stretchy clothes.

Today I got rid of: all clothes that are too big (not that many); lots of clothes that are just sort of frumpy and clearly the product of my trying to hide in clothes; any summer clothes that currently fit. The latter was my absolute confidence that by the next time it is time to wear summer clothes (9 months from now) the clothes that fit now will be too big, so it's not worth packing and storing them for the winter.

This felt like an act of liberation--a sense of total confidence that I can do this. I kept only clothes that: 1) are beautiful; and 2) fit me now or are too small. I got rid of seven bags of clothes. It felt great.

I love this sleeve. I am a slow loser, and that's ok. I know I will get there, and it feels great. I don't need loads of huge, stretchy clothes that are unattractive.

[RNYDawn 160]

That's awesome and I can't imagine how great it felt!

[Babbs 14,681]

Good for you! It drives me crazy when people refuse to get rid of their old, frumpy clothes that don't fit! It REALLY drives me crazy when people still wear them! I found as I was shrinking, wearing clothes that actually fit and flattered my figure gave me the motivation to keep it going. You feel great, too!

[dhrguru 1,238]

I agree with @Babbs. Though it took me a minute to be ok with getting rid of clothes (out of fear of this not working) I'm glad I did. Alcoholics don't hold on to a bottle of liquor just in case they fall off the wagon... I see this no different.

Bras are my pet peeve. I get they can be pricey, But they do so much for how your clothes fit. I don't mind buying bras at each Stage as I lose, I can get by with just 2. I've had every size from a 46 band, now slowly moving to a 38 band.

Just like the op, I got rid of all my summer clothes, they'll be useless next year. My yoga pants were my frumpy clothes, I only keep the pair I wore on surgery day, so I can do my monthly comparison pics.

[ShrinkingPeach 1,291]

Good for you! Letting go of the old life and embracing the new! I also got rid of all my clothes that were current and too big. I am committed to this and never going back. If I wear clothes that flatter and fit I also can see the progress I am making. Others notice as well when the clothes actually fit. Good for you!!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Great move, IMHO.

This journey is about getting healthier. But it's also about some other things -- including not hiding any longer.

[sparkles1971 47]

When I was overweight, I lived in tunics or tanks with cardigans. Now even putting them on 60lbs lighter takes my brain and self image back to 240lbs! Funny how that happens. Purge purge purge!! Get new stuff that fits and flatters!

[lauraellen80 855]

I've bagged up all the clothes that don't fit me anymore to this point, but I'm terrified to actually get rid of them. I've gotten rid of my "fat clothes" so many times, only to end up fat again but now with nothing to wear. Part of me feels like I'll jinx myself if I toss them, like I'm getting too cocky!

[Babbs 14,681]

@@lauraellen80

I'm finding myself doing that with a size up now that I'm pretty much in maintenance. I know statistically people gain 5-10% back within a few years, so I think I'm mentally preparing for that "what if".

What are your guys' thoughts about that? Get rid of them or hold on?

[rnsamantha 352]

Good for you! I have a 3'x6' pile of clothes that don't (too big!) fit slowly taking over one side of my closet. I just need to buckle down and bag that stuff up. I'm so happy not to have to shop in the plus size section anymore, so I don't know why I still have a giant pile of those clothes still laying around!

[Shainadelphia 69]

I have been up and down sizes so many times my clothes are all over the place (in the basement, in the closet) and packed in no particular order. I can't wait to organize the mess!!

Babbs, to your question, my plan is to keep the nicer more expensive items in vacuum shrink bags. I'm going to do this for all sizes. Partly I think there is part of me that won't trust myself, but partly because these clothes are part of my history (and some I really like!) Later on I may be ready to donate them.

[libby43 136]

Would like to offer a good idea to do with all those use cloths we can't fit into any more and feel good . I donate all my cloths to the women shelters. Most of these women leave behind everything they own. Plus size women don't receive many donation because as plus size women we don't shop much. This is something I'm doing now and it very much in need for these women. Please find the location near you and know women will be grateful. They can use every day cloths to dress cloths for job interviews.

[downsizingdiva 459]

I THINK THAT'S GREAT!!! I SWEAR I GET MORE SATISFACTION OUT OF GETTING RID OF MY CLOTHES THAN I DO BUYING NEW ONES! LOL - TRY THAT ON FOR SIZE!

[tacocat 48]

I just went through and weeded out 50 things out of my closet.....purge baby purge

[ttdish 315]

I went to a music festival 3 weeks pre-op, and had put all my dirty clothes into a garbage bag to take home. I accidentally left the bag there, and no one noticed, because it was a garbage bag. I was pissed, because I had so few summer clothes that fit me, but I took some solace in the fact that it was almost fall, and the hope they next summer, none of them would fit me!

~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Edited October 2, 2015 by ttdish