Sunday, April 11, 2010

Burn Those Britches Behind You

You are losing weight! In fact you are getting smaller every day. And if you are anything like me your closet is an veritable shopping center with an array of sizes to choose from. I saved my "skinny" clothes and everything in between. Slowly, very slowly, I have gotten back into a descending number of sizes and have reached the smallest number, a number I never thought I would wear again. And now, wonder of wonders, that teeny, weeny size is getting loose!

So I have a ton of clothing that doesn't fit. I'm glad I saved my clothes when they were too small to squeeze into - a motivation to lose weight. But now, my friends, we are faced with a new challenge -what to do with our large sized clothing. Do we keep them, just in case? Or do we say "out with the old and in with the new"?

Let me tell you, there is NO just in case. We will never be fat again! Not us. We, in all probability, have gone up and down so many times we've lost track. But this time it's different. It feels great to try on that old pair of pants and see physical proof of your weight loss, doesn't it? I suggest you find the biggest pair of pants, dress or skirt and hold on to them as a reminder of your past, of all your hard work that got you where you are today, no matter if you are in your "skinny" size or just heading in that direction. Put that item aside and take the rest of your fat clothes and get rid of them!

There is a wonderful article on charityguide.org about options for our used clothing. In fact, it says that plus-size women's clothing (14 and larger) is the most requested type of clothing. There are a number of options listed in the article, including two websites, Freecycle and Freesharing. Oprah also has a wonderful article about where to get rid of old clothing on her site.



Although the people of Haiti need just about everything, most organizations clearly state that money is the recommended way to help. But you can check with your local Red Cross chapter to find out if they are taking donations of clothing.

If you're hesitant to get rid of a garment because it was expensive, you might think about having it re-tailored or consider a consignment shop to recoup some of your money.

Here's another idea for those too big items, a clothing swap. Get together with friends and acquaintances and pool your clothing, then have fun selecting items that actually fit while someone else is benefiting from your discarded past. It's a win-win situation and lots of fun to boot!

Show yourself that you have committed 100% to your goal and that you have said a final farewell to the fat person you used to be. Get rid of those clothes anyway you like, but do it!

20 comments:

WaistingTime said...

You are very right and I am working up to this! As a yo-yo dieter, I am pretty sure that having saved my bigger sized clothes in the past allowed me to regain. This time I know I need to give them away. It is hard! But I am going to do it. Keep telling myself that.

Megan said...

Thanks for this info! I usually give my clothes to someplace they will be resold, but this seems like a much better idea.
I'm excited for you to be at the place where you can start fresh with a new smaller size! That's got to be so thrilling. It is a place I've dreamed about for a long time, and it is so inspiring to see you achieve it!

mandatorybloghere said...

i have tons of two small clothes i cant weight hehe get it weight to get in them again

Kathleen said...

I am getting rid of all my fat clothes as they become too big. I just want to say "never again". But I do have a pile of clothes...new clothes that I bought years ago, that have been too small for me to wear. Ah, the thrill of being able to get in to them, and the fun of having oodles of new stuff to wear. Hugs, Kathleen

M said...

I donated all of the clothes that are too big for me as of right now. I haven't regretted it one minute.

karen@fitnessjourney said...

I've always thought it would be fun to host a clothes exchange. I like your ideas. The leftover clothing could then be donated to charity and everyone would win.

Bobbie's Babbles said...

I miss some of those long shirts that hid my backside. I felt safe and hidden in them. Even though I'm nowhere as large as I used to be, there are days that I'm feeling "fat" and want to hide in my big shirt again. Alas, they are all gone. I brought all my big stuff to a consignment store and made a little money.

Anonymous said...

Over the weekend my hubby found a size 20W pair of shorts from last year in our summer clothes--let me tell you I can't WAIT to get rid of them for NO I do NOT plan to be able to wear them again!

Barbara said...

Great post! All my old clothing will go to charity!

Nona said...

So funny that you have written this because I've been contemplating just the same question and I've come to the same conclusion as you have.

Like you, I have almost every size from UK4-22 = US2-20 and I have decided that as I lose, I too am burning my britches behind me. Not only that but I will never never never again buy anything that stretches except for exercise gear.

Great post!!!

Linda at Bar Mitzvahzilla said...

I lost my weight a long time ago but when I did, I did exactly what you said! I have one pair of pants that fit me at 211 pounds in my closet - at this point apparently only for my children's amusement - and that's it. I do remember that I gave it all away and there was something very cathartic about that, because normally when I start fussing with consignment stores and whether it's the right season and ironed and blah blah blah, the next thing you know, the clothes is still in my closet!

Mimi said...

I couldn't agree more! Great idea!

Mrs. S. said...

I couldn't agree with you more! Mine are heading to my favorite charity that helps kids & moms.

Friend of the Bear said...

Hi Ellen. I'm in two minds over this one. I can see the advantage of getting rid of bigger sizes, but I'm not sure I'll ever have the courage to do it. I can honestly say that getting rid of my fat clothes would not have stopped me regaining the weight because the urge to eat and keep on eating is overwhelming. Nothing could stop me -except maybe surgery.

I'll be able to give them away if I ever find a permanent solution to the problem. But right now, I'm wearing them.

Bearfriend xx

Anini said...

The debate I keep having is if I should hold onto some of my higher quality bigger items because we plan on having children in the next fivish years... Other than that I would have no problem ditching the bigger sizes... Hmmmm..

LeFebvre Momma said...

I actually like the idea of burning my old clothes - I may even save a few choice pieces for just that reason - but I am with you. Once it doesn't fit, its out of here!!

Ellen said...

Thanks for all the comments. I especially love Tina's idea and think we should have a special night where we all burn our discarded clothing in a big bonfire, chanting, whooping and hollering to let those lost pounds know they are not welcome back - ever!

SeaShore said...

I kept my favourite outfit from my highest weight. I put it on every-so-often when I'm feeling low. It's the best reminder of how far I've come.

Reen said...

Amen on never going back there! I'm with you on that! Not ever!
I already got rid of my BIG CLOTHES. I do have two sizes of jeans but that's just because the cuts are different so sometimes one size fits better than the other.

And I also saved one piece of clothing from my "BIG" wardrobe, and that's something that I definitely won't wear again...my wedding gown. Yes, I was fortunate to find a man who loved me and married me when I was a big girl. :)

Loving my Complicated Life! said...

These were great thoughts. I am going through many size changes right now, but I am keeping older clothing for a little longer. It is nice to go back and try on the large clothing! Thanks for posting.