Today I went to Lane Bryant shopping for a dress for my engagement party next Saturday. I didn't find one thing I liked, but as I went past a jeans display I decided to try a size 14 just for the heck of it. They fit, but I am not paying big bucks for jeans that won't fit me in two months, so I put them back. I was just happy I could zip them up.

Then I got brave. There's a NY&Co. a few stores down from where Lane Bryant is, so I decided to stop in and see what they had. I could feel some anxiety as I opened the door, since I can't remember the last time I shopped in a "normal" store. I tried on a couple of dresses in XL that also fit, but I wasn't crazy about either of them. Just the fact that I got up the courage to even set foot in there was a huge accomplishment. Yay me!

congrats!! that is a victory! I bought a pair of jeans at Walmart..took two pairs to the fitting room and had to buy a smaller pair than either of the ones I took in. I decided, I needed a pair, since my only pair I could take off without unbuttoning or unzipping. $18 for two months...not bad.

That's awesome, congrats!!

That's great, Jenn. Congrats. I needed a dress for a special occasion last summer and after shopping and shopping for it with no luck, I wondered into a consignment shop and got exactly what I wanted for $12.

Great News!! I can't wait to say bye bye to Lane Bryant!

My #1 NSV goal... to buy a bra in Victoria's Secret and NOT Lane Bryant! I'll let you know when I get there!

Good luck, everyone!

Woohoo! You rock, ladies.

I'm hanging out to buy a new dress for my son's wedding next April and am really looking forward to being able to choose from "normal" stores.

Im in 16s and almost 14s right now (i tried a 14 on and I got it zipped) so I probably could go shopping at a normal store, but I want to wait at least 10 more lbs or so. I want to be IN a size 14 well before I go in.

Its amazing how differently things fit at different stores!

congrats to you! I hope you find a great dress!

awesome job, I look forward to buying regular sizes again it has been 20 years

Hi there -

What does NSV stand for?

You're all doing so well, btw!!!

NSV = non scale victory

That is awesome, I have been experiencing that as well, bought a pair of 14 shorts at Ann Taylor Loft, they fit so good, i wore them out in public, something I haven't done in at least 12 years. Congrats to U!!!

That is a HUGE NSV!!! I remember the first time I shopped at a "normal" store. It was Old Navy, and I tried on a pair of jeans "just to see" and they fit. I bawled my eyes out. The cashiers looked at me like I was crazy until I explained I had lost over 100 pounds and this was the first time I'd ever been able to shop there. You will have so much more freedom to shop now...and better sales!

As for normal vs. plus sized stores...I'm also in between a 14 and 16 right now, and I haven't stepped into a Lane Bryant in over a year. Most stores carry up to size 16 (except for those super high-end teeny bopper stores which, let's face it, we probably don't even WANT to go in). So don't sell yourself short at a size 16! Kiss Lane Bryant GOODBYE and move on! Sure, at a 14/16 you COULD shop in the plus sized stores and sections, but after shopping there for so long why would you want to if you don't have to? Shopping in real stores is AWESOME! I fit comfortably in an XL, even have some Large tops. Different stores are sized very differently, so go try on some clothes! You will LOVE IT!

P.S. I tried on a bra at Victoria's Secret a month ago (38D). It fit perfectly! I didn't buy it though, I couldn't justify paying $45 for a bra that won't fit in a few months.

LB's,

You made me cry today!!!! .............I haven't really had any feelings about the surgery since I started the process of being banded, but today they showed back up. Reading your victories made me rejoice with happiness for all of us. I finally saw my FIRST NSV. Today, I had a pair of previous pair of tight pants from last summer on and they fell down to my ankles. YIPPEE!! Catch me if you can.

Congrats. Everyone,

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