Shopping is fun again!

I like to shop, make no mistake about that. But, I used to hate clothes shopping. All that trying things on and then most of the time never finding anything that fit right. Pants and Jeans were the worst....If the waist fit, the legs were huge or if the waist and legs fit, they'd be way to short....sigh....I really dreaded it. But now that I've lost 40 lbs. it's a lot more fun.

Actually, I've lost 53 lbs. since the Spring of 2008, but since I lost 13 lbs. on my own before starting Weight Watchers, I've been going by the weight that I was when we officially started Weight Watchers. We weren't even trying to lose weight at that time, but when I weighed myself in the Spring of 2008, I was horrified at what I saw. I was the heaviest I'd ever been and I am still not comfortable talking about that "number". Maybe, when I get to my goal weight, I'll feel better about revealing it, but until then, you'll have to take my word on it that I was really heavy, technically I guess I still am. I never stepped on that scale again, until my official weigh-in for Weight Watchers.

I'm 5'10" so I hid my weight well for many years, but then it just wasn't hiding anymore and I guess we were subconsciously watching what we we eating, not really realizing what we were doing. I was filled with doubts, not knowing if I had the willpower to even do it, but finally, I made up my mind that I had to make some changes in my life if I was going to even have the life that I wanted.

Sorry, that got a little deep there....now back to the shopping.

I love shopping, not in the traditional sense where you go to the mall and mindlessly buy crap that you don't necessarily need. I love hunting for old objects at flea markets, thrift stores, garage sales and antique stores. I love the history behind the item and I love to find new uses for old items. It's almost a game at times....find the most bizarre thing and figure out a modern, practical use for it. And money must be a consideration....I don't spend a lot on any one thing, but I look for quality at the same time. Very rarely do I spend more than a few dollars on any one thing...rarely more than $20-$30 for something really good. That's part of the fun for me. If I have to spend an arm and a leg for something, it's got to be something really special or I don't even want it.

So, I've decided to start clothes shopping with the same enthusiasm. I love thrift stores anyway, but never had much luck finding clothes in my size, but that is all changing now. I've gone down 2-3 pants sizes, depending on the brand, so that is encouraging. Subsequently, there are more of these sizes in the thrift stores as well.

Friday at lunch, I needed to escape from the office. I've been brown bagging it since starting Weight Watchers so don't usually leave unless I have errands to run or the weather is good enough to take a walk. My co-workers were ordering in pizza and wings, and I didn't want any part of that temptation. I decided to run up to the thrift store and try on some pants and I actually found two nice pairs of jeans that were only $6.99 each. You can't beat that price and I won't feel bad when I have to get rid of them after I lose the next 20-30 pounds.

So, yes, I have finally rediscovered the joys of clothes shopping and doing it within our budget. It's a wonderfully satisfying feeling.