As some of you here have likely noticed, i've lacked a bit in the motivation area recently. There are just alot of things going on in my life right now (work + relationship) which have been distracting me away from eating properly and exercising.

I got a phone call on friday that addition elle, a plus size store here, was having a sale, so i thought i'd go downtown and see what i could buy (everything was 50% off).

I found a nice pair of navy capri pants (size 16), a blue tank top (size X, their smallest size!!!) and a really nice purrple swirly silky halter top (size X). It felt amazing to know that i was currently wearing the smallest size top they have, and that likely soon everything in the store will be too big for me. I would say right now i'm a size 16 in wide, or a size 18 regular size.

So all three items were only $50.51, a great deal!

I then decided to wander a bit through the mall. I saw a really nice green dress in the window of mariposa, which is one of the stores i never was able to buy things in as everything was always too small. I thought i'd go check it out...well unfortunately that dress was too small (no XL), but there was a blue one which was quite similar and was in XL, so i thought i'd try it, with absolutely no expectations.

It was a bit nervewracking since there were no mirrors in the dressing room, so i had to go into the main store to see what i looked like, but i couldn't believe how nice the dress looked! I almost started to cry, it was just amazing to me that i am able to go into a normal store, and one that has clothing for young people in it, and that i am able to buy things there now.

Its a really nice dress, i might (might) even post a pic of me in it on here :happydance:

That is so great Shy!!! I think I would hvae started crying. :blush:

:wooohooo: :yourock: :fantastic:

I am so happy for you... truly my heart is jumping for joy!! I cannot believe how we all have become so close and care about each other so much... this board is awesome because my friends here are!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU I am actually teared up!! HUGE :huggs: and :congratulations: girl, TOTALLY... :yourock:!!

cherri and teach, thank you so much! :huggs:

i know what you mean teach, i have so many good friends here, and it is great to be able to share these small triumphs with people who truely understand what i am going through.

i really feel like a combination of things , this shopping trip included, have given me the motivation to get back into being healthy, and i am very glad! my weight may be up a bit but that is a small price to pay....a few pounds up is nothing in the grande scheme of things :danceparty:

Shy, you almost made me cry! I'm not sure whether it was from you saying how nice it looked or you saying that you may even post a pic on here. I am so happy for you that you might be comfortable enough and secure enough with this forum and your friends here that you can post a pic for us all to see. :huggs: :huggs: :huggs: :huggs:

Either way, you have made my day! :huggs:

That's great Shy!!! I hope you do post the pictures. Congrats on the REGULAR size dress. Just awesome. :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

If i don't post the pics, i'll definately send them to all you gals :huggs:

Thank you so much purrple and nic :huggs: :D

What an inspirational post Shy...what an incredible feeling that must have been for you to experience and one I can SO relate to. Being able to fit into those regular sizes is an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. I think we can all remember thatfirst item of clothing we bought that we were able to fit into that after months of exercise, calorie counting and toiling. I am glad this is what has given you renewed vigour to get back to it :danceparty:

thank you stormgirl :huggs:

one of the reasons i posted this was to either bring back good memories for those who have already experienced what i have, or to inspire those who are not yet at this point to keep going and not lose hope.

i am definately renewed. I have had another bad morning at work but i'm not letting it drag me down, and i'm taking out my frustrations by doing a weight lifting class later today :bouncy: :wooohooo:

What great motivation clothes can be. Are you going to buy the green dress when you get down a bit?