I used to be much thinner--two years ago, I was somewhere between a size 2 and a size 4. I bought clothes when I needed them, and I enjoyed shopping, but didn't give much thought to it.

Since gaining weight, and even since I've lost some, I worry constantly about my appearance. If we go somewhere, I worry about what I'll wear days or even weeks in advance, and I buy a lot of clothes. I feel like I have to have really cute clothes to compensate for the fact that I've gained weight. I used to toss on a t-shirt or tank top and a pair of jeans, but now it's like it's not enough effort. I worry a lot about how people will perceive me. I would die if anyone thought of me as "the chubby one."

I start a new job in August, and I'm moving to a new state, too. I have been worried about meeting so many new people, and have already been thinking about how I'll need lots of new work clothes. I don't know how to stop worrying so much about my appearance. It's as though everyone else is thinner and better looking and much more sophisticated.

Anyone else feel like this, or am I as crazy as I feel?

No, you're not the only one who feels that way! I worry too - what will I wear, how do I look, are other people thinking about my weight... I also buy lots of clothes to try and somehow compensate for the fact that I don't look as good as I used to. Wish I had the answer for how to cure this. But you're not alone. :)

I used to love to dress well when I was in better shape. Now that I'm so heavy, buying clothes is a terrible experience. Hate seeing myself in those three-way mirrors, seeing the sizes of clothes I need, etc. I have saved a fortune on clothing while spending a fortune on food. One of the visualization techniques I use is to think about the clothes I will wear when I look better, and it is pretty powerful for me.

But I think it's good you're still taking care of how you look, I have done the exact opposite and was easily able to ignore the pounds going on. I have a job and lifestyle that allows me to dress as I want, for the most part (no traditional office, suits or business attire). If I had that kind of pressure I'd probably feel the same way as you.

While I am at work I think about a ton of things and one thing is what I will wear out at night. That almost consumes my sleep too. I dream about how I will look in clothes when I lose weight. And I hate wearing the things that do not look their best on me, but I cannot wear the same things everyday! I too wear better clothes to compensate for being heavier then friends. I am always wearing a nice shirt and pants/skirt...always dressed up. I wish I could just throw on a pair of jeans and a tank, but I would just feel so sloppy and fat.

People who are heavier really need to dress well. I used to spend a fortune on designer plus size clothing-- but it helped in my career.

Now that the pounds are coming off I'm wearing jeans more-- and it feels nice. But the grass isn't always greener on the other side-- now that I'm wearing jeans ocassionally to work, I notice that people don't treat me as if I'm a professional.

So there's something to be said for dressing up whatever size you are!

Not that this has a lot to do with the OP's post, but keeping in line with the Stated Topic...

I hate those open dressing rooms you find in the discount stores. Aieeeee!! It's even worse than a locker room, because you're attempting to wear things and you don't know how they'll look.

Of course, I know deep down that everyone else is trying their best to avoid being looked at too, but it still kind of freaks me out. I suck it up and do it because the prices are good, but I'm SO GLAD when I'm done.

I hate the dressing rooms at the Buckle. There are no mirrors inside!!!! I don't shop there anymore because I hate being around all these super skinnies and I'm "the chubby one" coming out of the dressing room with no idea what I look like. That is mortifying!

Teacher, I have the opposite problem. When I was heavier, I dressed in my grungy sweats/sloppy tees. Now that I'm skinnier, I LIKE dressing up. I want to go out and buy lots of clothes too! :laugh:

I wouldn't worry so much that someone is going to think of you as "the chubby one" Just remember, I'd LOVE to be at your weight, and I'd never thing of myself as chubby! Maybe that's cause I've never really been that small. I dunno.... Anyway, good luck with your shopping, and I know that everyone is going to LOVE you because you're just an awesome person that way! Keep up the good work.

I hate the dressing rooms at the Buckle. There are no mirrors inside!!!! I don't shop there anymore because I hate being around all these super skinnies and I'm "the chubby one" coming out of the dressing room with no idea what I look like. That is mortifying!

rikkij,

Then, if you otherwise like the Buckle, why not send their management a note saying precisely that?

No harm in trying, and who knows? Perhaps they'll move their existing mirrors, or install new ones, inside their change rooms.

rD

ps. I'm all for "voting with your wallet", by taking your money elsewhere. But I figure, if a store's policy is annoying, then to my mind "they're taking up space" (creating a blank area which I'm avoiding), and it's often worth the bother of trying to enlighten them.

What you wear often has a dramatic effect on how you are treated by others. This is true at work, out shopping, or around your friends. I think it is an unconscious reaction -- if you look well groomed, you are treated better than you would be if you were wearing a sloppy t-shirt and jeans (especially if you are overweight). I haven't encountered any issues with mirrors at stores like Buckle, but I'm still so happy to be in regular sizes that I would gladly walk out of the dressing room to use the mirror. Heck, I even broke down and bought a swim suit this year (and I've actually worn it in public)! :D

I've always been a clothes hound and have always worn suits to work. In my office, if you wear something more casual, someone usually asks why. I can tell you to look on the bright side though -- business and formal attire is cheaper for regular sizes than it is for plus sizes so I guess that's another advantage to losing weight -- you save money on food and clothes!

I used to be much thinner--two years ago, I was somewhere between a size 2 and a size 4. I bought clothes when I needed them, and I enjoyed shopping, but didn't give much thought to it.

Since gaining weight, and even since I've lost some, I worry constantly about my appearance. If we go somewhere, I worry about what I'll wear days or even weeks in advance, and I buy a lot of clothes. I feel like I have to have really cute clothes to compensate for the fact that I've gained weight. I used to toss on a t-shirt or tank top and a pair of jeans, but now it's like it's not enough effort. I worry a lot about how people will perceive me. I would die if anyone thought of me as "the chubby one."

I start a new job in August, and I'm moving to a new state, too. I have been worried about meeting so many new people, and have already been thinking about how I'll need lots of new work clothes. I don't know how to stop worrying so much about my appearance. It's as though everyone else is thinner and better looking and much more sophisticated.

Anyone else feel like this, or am I as crazy as I feel?

Hello you shouldn't feel so insecure about your weight and you gaining weight. I use to love to dress in cute clothes but since i've gained the weight I just don't feel comfortable in clothes anymore... I don't know I weigh about 165-169 now again I think I don't know how I got to this weight! :help: But I'm sure you're going to be looking good girl in your new job in August. Don't worry about those people being more sophistocated then you or in better shape then you. I hate when people talk down about the way they look. Yeah I think i'm overweight and yeah I'm ashamed of it but all i can do is change the way I eat and exercise and the weight will eventually come off and that is what you need to do Exercise loose the weight if you really need too.. You need Will-power :laugh: I'm Taneisha Moore sorry that I didn't introduce myself in the first place but I am happy to be writing to you about this issue that you having... Yeah I have insecurity when I go into stores and buy clothes that are size 12 and I see people in the size 6-7's and and I think to myself yeah I use to be that small but not anymore but I"m going to take charge to my weight and loose the weight and my weight goal is `130lbs thats a decent weight not to big not too small and I hope you do loose the weight and I hope it does make you happy and I hope it does boost your self-esteem because obviously you're not showing me that you're a confident woman now.

:balloons: Taneisha