Dressing for Weightloss?

"What did you say to me?" -Mr. Brain

No. We're not talking about heavy sweaters!  When you're losing weight, many things change that you probably wouldn't have thought about previously. Stuff you take for granted. Even dressing becomes a much more complicated issue. You thought it was the opposite, didn't you? I can understand where you might get that. "You have more choices; your clothes aren't too tight anymore."

And that's true, sure. However, there's more to it that that. Actually, the clothing decisions that you make now are sending very specific messages to your brain. There is a very easy way to "Dress for Success" in this case.

And it may well not be what you think...but then again, when is a Goddess-rant ever lead to what you would think? That's part of the charm. At least, that's what she keeps telling herself.

The clothes you keep say quite clearly what your expectations for the future are about. Can't bear to get rid of your fat clothes, "just in case?" What message does that send if it's not, "Hey, this weight-loss thing is temporary? I'd better hold on to those fat clothes because I'm going back." I mean, good lord. What else could this mean?

There are so many implications; the messages you're giving yourself are not too helpful:

• I don't trust myself to maintain these positive changes.
• I’m going to make a nice show of trying before I go back to my old ways.
• It won't last. It never does.
• I can't make it.

Plain and simple, keeping those fat clothes betray your subconscious decision to stay fat. Sound harsh? I'm sorry, but that's where that leads. You're putting your money where your mouth is, figuratively. Which "you" are you the most invested in: the old, fatter you, or the new, skinnier you?

Now, I understand that when people are actively losing, they often put off buying new clothing. That's not what I'm discussing here, although it probably won't surprise you that the Goddess has an opinion on that, too. (Dang. That woman sure has a lot of opinions, huh?)

I know you budget would probably be happier if you don't buy a completely new wardrobe every time you lose ten pounds. That doesn't make sense. But, it's actually very important that you have at least 1-2 outfits on hand at all times that you feel very good in. They have to fit well and you have to believe them flattering. These can be second-hand, old clothes you haven't been able to wear before you lost the weight, or better yet, new. It's not so important where they came from as it is what they do for you, you know?

And while we're on the topic: Don't let other people decide what these clothes should be! If you want to dress like a hippie chick, if you want to describe your outfit as "pimpin," well, okay. That's  your choice. The ONLY requreiment is that you feel good in the clothes!

Losing weight is a relatively slow process. The gratification is gradual. Things happen a little bit at a time, and invariably, there will be moments when you'll feel discouraged for whatever reason. It gets tedious giving so much energy and focus to losing sometimes. So, what do you do? You need support staying focused.

Well, if you have a few outfits that you feel like a million bucks wearing, you can remind yourself of all the positive changes you've made. You can see your progress! And the perk: When you wear smaller size clothing that fits, people will begin to notice you're losses much more. When you're still swimming along in your 3X shirts and using a belt to keep those baggie pants from sliding off your butt...well, simply enough nobody can see all that clearly how much you’ve lost. (Including, most importantly, you.) But when you move on to the proper size for the new you, you look better, you feel better, and you're in the process of learning who the "new you" is.

Ad I'll go one further, Sparky. I'd like you to get one more item of clothing the meets two criteria:

1. You'd enjoy wearing it.
2. It's about a size too small.

Huh? Yeah, too small. This is the message you're giving yourself when you do this: I'm losing weight, and I'll soon be able to wear this comfortably. I'm looking forward to that.

Which message do you want to generate? Which reality do you want to create? You get what you focus on.

You want a fat arse? Keep your fat clothes and look at 'em every day. You want to be thinner? Keep that new outfit close by and try it on often because, before you know it, you'll be wearing it.! Really.

To Review

Pitch the fat pants, Sparky! It doesn't have to be literal. I highly recommend donating them, actually. That way, you can feel good about sharing the clothes with people who need them, and you get to move on to what's right for you, now. That's smaller clothes now, because you're committed to success, 'eh Sparky?

And while you're at it, get a couple of nice outfits for you to wear in your current size, and a thing or two that is too small. (Look for sales and other serindipitous opportunties, ok?) Keeping reinforcing what you want to be your reality, and soon, it WILL be  your reality. Really. Really-really.

Dress for your success. Capitilize on it, revel in it, focus on it, and enjoy it. That's the surest way there is to generate more! You can trust the Goddess. Right? Right?