So I'm browsing all the clearance clothing racks at Walmart yesterday and they have a ton of pants and jeans for $7 a pair! I start looking for my size (16 in misses/women's) which are labeled in even sizes, as you ladies know. All I'm seeing are juniors sizes (which are odd numbers) when I start noticing sizes 15, 17, 19, and 21! So I pick up a 19, thinking that I'll need the extra room because it's a junior's size, and it's way too big. I get a couple of pants in size 17 and tried them on this morning. I have to take 3 pair back because they, too, are too big.

Now, while all of this is "hooray for me" stuff because the LC WOE and exercise is obviously working, I've also realized that back when I didn't have hips and wore a juniors size (about 15 years ago), I don't remember seeing anything above a size 13.

How sad that there is such a big market for plus size teenage clothes. We are doing such a disservice to our children with all the pre-packaged high carb fast food crap that they're so often fed these days. I hope that this WOE becomes accepted and mainstream quickly, so we can help these kids!

Mada
210/204/160-140 (size 8-10)
Re-re-started LC 1/5/04

"Self delusion is pulling in your stomach when you step on the scales." - Paul Sweeney

You're right, this is very sad.

I can't help but notice the big bellies when I see a group of teens. When I was in high school (that was the dark ages, late 60's) I weighed 145 at 5'6" I thought I was fat! Part of the reason I could think that is that I was one of the bigger ones (I was alway a misses, never a junior).

I bet a teenager of today with a body like mine was then would be right in the middle and not one of the bigger ones.

I also hope this woe becomes mainstream soon to help these kids. But they are so addicted to their junk carbs! And teens are so likely to feel immortal, that nothing can hurt them.

Sigh.

Yes, Yes, Absolutely.
I live in a very overweight area, demographically speaking. I work in a clothes store that carries a limited size range - only up to 15 in the juniors. If you could see the general population here, you'd understand why I say "only" 15. I am 5'6" and 158, 4 pounds from the BMI holy grail of 24.9, and I can't fit into 3/4 of the clothes in this store! If I want something, I better get it right out of the shipment box, because in 2 days all that will be left is XS-S-M or 1-3-5. It's kind of depressing that these girls have their minds around being fat as the norm, there's serious weight and diabetes problems here. And really, the guys situation is no better, a guy will pull a small shirt off the rack and ask me if we have it in XL. Which we probably don't because those go as fast as the 15s and XLs in the girls. You gotta get up pretty early in the morning to get a large sixe at my store. And what's really comical is I take a M or L in most things at WalMart. I think they have gotten terribly clever.

I know what you mean. I also heard that they changed the sizes; what used to be a size 6 (in the 70's) is now a size 10. I was a 5 in high school. Now I am a size 6 but have gained 15 pounds.

A friend of mine recently told me that KMart is carrying "Junior Plus" sizes.

It's good that whomever needs these sizes has more options, but the fact that they ARE needed is very sad.

Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy.
And cooking done with care is an act of love.
- Craig Claiborne

One thing that I noticed while living in Hawaii and various other places, is that the grocery stores and the food that they carry, and the Kmarts and other stores with the clothes sizes are dependant on the economic makeup of the community.

In the more lower income neighborhoods, I have noticed that in the grocery stores (the small corner ones and the mid-independent markets or cultural markets) you will find the higher fat, more unhealthy food choices, fast foods, junk foods, and for a very inexpensive price. The stores that tend to accompany these lower income neighborhoods, Kmart, walmart, etc, tend to carry the larger sized clothes as well. Its all relative.

Its a vicious circle, cheap food that makes you fat and the clothes to accomodate the marketing of it all.

In Hawaii, specifically in the Kmarts, the sizes of clothes, usually start at 14. (that is where I bought all of my bathing suits) where else can you get away with wearing a 2 piece size 16 bathing suit??? Its the norm there.

Part of that may be cultural, I am of polynesian descent, we are bigger than your average girl.

But the "lower income"/"junky foods" connection is definitely related. Cruise thru the different neighborhoods that you live in and check out the different scopes of food choices, then look at the stores in that neighborhood and see how it is all relative. I didn't notice it until a few years ago. Its quite scary actually.

216?/201/170?
started 1/1/04
mini goal: under 200 lbs

The input associated with this topic is so "deja vu" to me because I just mentioned to my hubby a few months ago that I thought some clothing manufacturers are starting to make their sizes bigger. Probably to make people feel better about being heavy. I too, hope LC becomes more widely supported to combat the obesity epidemic. I see more positives all the time, though.

Yep, Mada, how happy for you!!!!

But how sad for our young people.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development


Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Yeah, I was a little ticked when I convinced my step-son to try LCing because he was about 55 lbs over weight (16 years old). He started and was having great success (12 lbs in the first two weeks). But he went to the doctor (ended up being an asthma attack) and the doctored ordered him off of LCing (said it would kill him with eating so much "fat" and that people need carbs to be healthy). He did not argue with the doctor (and I was not there) cause he assumed the doctor was 100% correct. I just let it go but now he has regained that weight (and some...). His dad is obese so my DW and I get no support from that area.

He's now convinced that all us LCers are incorrect..."cause the doctor said so..."

Wolfman
Restarted Atkins 1-02-04
202/188/175

I feel your frustration, wolfman.

My mom has the same mentality. She would rather pop a pill (or a few) to mask her pain than get to the root of the problem. She trusts her doctor, and we all know how reliable and knowledgeable and up-to-date our doctors are...sigh.

How do you break through thick skulls?

Started Atkins 08/23/03
160/142
Restarted 01/16/04
151/141/???
I'm gettin' there!

I do understand that what is happening to our young people in this country is terrible. I hope one day we can all be in a healthy weight range.

However, I am employed at Lane Bryant (granted, I'm in the smallest size in the store and could easily shop anywhere else) But the reason I love this store is because we do get young girls in there being able to find stylish clothes that they just cant find anywhere else. It makes me happy to see the looks on their faces when they can get a pair of strech flare jeans that look like the same ones Jennifer Lopez wore in a magazine only bigger. Maybe they havent found their way into a change in lifestyle, but rather than having them more depressed about what size they are at least they have an option of fashionable clothing which I think everyone deserves. Just until recently thanks to stores like Lane Bryant,Fashion Bug, etc. people of bigger sizes didnt have a choice. I'm certainly not condoing being big just so you can wear nice clothes, but I think everyone should be able to look nice and feel good about themselves no matter what size you are. I think all the women at least should agree with me that clothes can make you feel better or they can depress the he## out of you. But when they make you feel good, its the best feeling in the world. And I for one, am happy that I can give that feeling to hundreds of women a day.

Sorry this is so long and about the most opinionated post I've ever written but I do feel strongly about it. I know when I was a size 22 and age 17 Lane Bryant was my salvation to actually get stylish clothes where I probably wouldnt have been able elsewhere. It made me feel like I actually "fit in" so to speak. Am i happy to have lost weight? OF COURSE!! But for those who are still struggling, this could be their way to make themselves feel special.

wheew...ok, I'll shut up.

"We've Only Just Begun"
- The Carpenters

260lbs 5/00
231lbs 8/15/03 (began Atkins)
189lbs now
150lbs goal
Fiesty Red-Head
www.sdsymphony.org

Emily

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development


Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Emily, what a wonderful, kind-hearted post!
I'm glad you work at Lane Bryant as you have
exactly the right attitude and must be a great
help to your customers!

Elizabeth

Emily,

I agree with you. Overweight teens (especially girls) definitely need to be able to feel like they fit in. It's hard enough being a teenager as it is. And if the stores you mentioned can help, great. I just was shocked to see the sizes in juniors, because, as I mentioned, they were never there when I was in HS. It kind of put the obesity epidemic front and center for me.

Mada
210/204/160-140 (size 8-10)
Re-re-started LC 1/5/04

"Self delusion is pulling in your stomach when you step on the scales." - Paul Sweeney

Mada, its true. Sizes are getting bigger and I totally agree with you that yes, it is sad. I didnt mean to make my post sound like I didnt agree. I guess its just from my point of view.



"We've Only Just Begun"
- The Carpenters

260lbs 5/00
231lbs 8/15/03 (began Atkins)
189lbs now
150lbs goal
Fiesty Red-Head
www.sdsymphony.org