BlessedBeyondMeasure2012

I always buy dark jeans ala what not to wear. They always put women in Bootcut or straight jeans never in skinny. I just think that skinny jeans are more up to date looking. I am not petite but I fit a 8 easily am flat tummy now so I think it is a good way to go.
As soon as I am freed from my compression garment I will get some Date night outfits and ask for feedback.
I wore some faux leather trimmed treggings from H&m with a beautiful blue tunic and my friends really liked that look.

Oh those are NOT acid wash jeans ...like from the 80's.
THESE:

Are NOT the same as THESE:

And if you have a Gordman's around, they sell a LOT of the sparkly butt jeans...cheaper than Miss Me. Trying to think of some of the brands, Angels...there are more and I just can't name them off the top of my head.
Anyway, always go with a bit of a darker wash (thank you What Not--to--Wear...Stacey and Clinton) lighter washes tend to make you look larger than you are.
And if you don't spend a lot on your jeans, it's fun to have different types for different things. I have a few with sparkles on the back pocket, something I NEVER would have done pre-sleeve.

You will find that sizing has really changed. I have older jeans in my closet (that I need to get rid of because that are out of fashion) that are 10 and I fit into those. So depending on the decade I'm a size 10 and now an 8... and let's not forget most every jean is made with stretch now! If I wanted to stuff my azz into a 6 I probably could..but I'm a comfort ***** not a sausage

Skinnys and pumps are my go to.. Sweater top or tank top and a cardi are cute too.

Oh no sorry guys I was just letting anyone out there know!! I am so far from goal it's not funny. 2wks post op!! Can't wait to be a size 8

Uh I am at goal.

Butterthebean, when he did his first shopping after the TT texted me pics as he tried on
(Not that I'm fashionable )
You can text someone pics (here or a trusted friend)

Silly! Hell no! I wear skinny jeans, they are stylish and versatile. I'm liking the vigoss jeans (Nordstrom) right now. Also go into Nordstrom's rack if you have one around. Great deals on jeans there. My last pair was only 30 dollars!!
And yep I'm old wearing juniors jeans
http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Details/3545917?categoryid=null

I can't wait to have a pair of Miss Me jeans!!!!! That is one of my goals!!! Lol

I took my nicer clothes to my in person support group meeting. I gave away most of my clothes at the beginning of the season for them, so it was more likely they would find a good home. I gave what people didn't take to my favorite charities.
I just realized that I still wear one item of clothing from preop. My long purple robe. It's so fuzzy and warm. Hubby hasn't said it looks dorky on me, so I'm keeping it. That robe, socks, and one pair of pants are all that remain of my former wardrobe. I keep the ants as a reminder of where I came from. Like the saggy skin wasn't enough:-)
Lynda

Lizzy K - THANK YOU!! I was seriously beginning to think that I was the only one! I have lost almost 90 lbs and have only gone down 3 sizes in pants - what the heck is up with that? Tops sizes have gone down a great deal more because my boobs have apparently moved to another zip code without me - but the pants thing has really bummed me out. And before anyone asks - no - I'm not a pear shaped woman - I'm very curvy and my top and bottom don't look out of proportion.....

Last weekend I took 7 big garbage bags of clothes to the thrift store run by our local battered women's shelter. I still have a lot of summer clothes to get rid of, but I wanted to get all of my too-big winter stuff to them since it is needed now. It felt good to free up some space, both in my closet & in my mind. It's time to look forward.

I went shopping in my own closet. I have been saving a wonderful knit suit for about 15 years that I only wore a few times. I haven't been small enough to wear it in all these years. So I tried it on last week (after a 60 lb loss), and the suit is TOO BIG! I was going to wear it anyway. Until I discovered MOTH HOLES in the collar! Guess I should have wrapped it better. Good luck with your shopping.

) In several colors.

Don't you love being able to walk away from something not because it didn't fit but because meh... It's ok but not great..
When I was morbidly obese it was about IF I found something that fit, I bought it

Shopping is my new sport. I do it every weekend! I needed everything new - clothes, underwear, bras, shoes. I also told my husband my purses were too big for me, lol!! But I love White house Black market, J Crew, Ann Taylor, Talbots, Macy's, Dillards, Old Navy, Target, Kohls, JJill.....pretty much everywhere. I'm a huge fan of outlet malls - there are several in my area.
When I first had to shop for new clothes (I'm on my 4th wardrobe) I found myself always wandering back to the Womens section because I was overwhelmed with all the choices. I still am not sure where to go in department stores. This past weekend I took my older teen/early 20s kids with me to show me where I really should be looking!
One thing for sure - it's got to be on sale, and I have to love it. It's such a LUXURY to be able to be picky because I can fit in normal size clothes, I no longer have to settle for what fits. I think that's why I shop so much (I don't really buy that much, just look) because I'm still trying to find my style and it's pure, unadulterated joy putting on size mediums and 12s.

My first time shopping after surgery and losing a little weight was the gap... I was so flipping happy to fit into their largest size jeans!! Funny.. I remember it like it was yesterday..

got up earlier than usual this am, couldn't sleep so got in 5 miles, I've got hip issues too, I thought it was all the increased walking and strength training, trainer said that the strength training should help not hurt, but... was walking with a limp for a while, gonna try some of those stretches, and some trainer gave me looks kind of similar to the ones here. MTD=73.5 miles 9 sessions

30 min MMA

MTD: 35

Butter and Fiddle: Thank you SO MUCH for the assistance. I'll be adding both the new stretches and the lacrosse ball to my routine (my youngest plays NCAA women's lacrosse -- I have a million of those balls).
Butter, with your permission, I WILL adapt my Nov goal to 10K+ steps on cardio days and weekends -- not on strength days. I'll recalculate my average with my next spreadsheet post.
Yesterday I did 60 pushups at a 45 degree bar, 36 weight assisted pull-ups and planked for 45 seconds!! And that was in addition to TWO days worth of C22K back to back for an hour of walk/run intervals.
I'm so psyched!!!

I kind of crapped out on my fitness challenge prior to surgery (11/14).
But I'm going to finish November strong...I will walk a minimum of 2 miles each day for the rest of the month for a total of 20 miles.

Rolling on the hip abductors will help in addition to mashing the area with a lacrosse ball or tennis ball. I got these hip pains all the time too, but not so much in the last month.
I think it is caused by piriformis syndrome. Very uncomfortable if you do not target it directly with a lacrosse ball or indirectly by rolling the hip abductors and it bands. The pain may not start immediately, but will become very tangible and real over time, as you run more.
Here is some more information :
http://destroychronicpain.wordpress.com/problems-we-help-people-with/piriformis-syndrome-pain-in-the-butt/
I got the pain quite frequently on the left side after running as part of a workout until recently, when I mashed the heck out of it for 30 m a day, spread throughout the day. That pain, thankfully, is gone. You might also try leg swings, focusing on the rotation of the hip and not the thigh. Kick you leg forward and backwards, aiming to loosen up the hip abductors. You might also try side ways kicking also. It certainly does help.
I have found much of the pain brought on by running is due to either not enough stretching or not enough strengthening of the muscles needing to support the movement requirements of running.
As a matter of perspective, I spend at least 30 m daily on mobility and stretching before getting into hardcore exercises. You may not need to dedicate this much time, but do ponder on the importance of it to prevent injury.

Licensed massage therapist.

For those of y'all having hip pain....as an LMT I've dealt with this frequently. Bad sitting posture leads to tightness in the gluteus medius which of course leads to pain. But it's very easy to stretch out, increasing flexibility and relieving pain. Also, focus on not letting your knees splay out while sitting or lying. If tightness is causing the pain this will help. It can't hurt.
Here's 2 good stretches. Start with the first and advance to the second when comfortable doing so.