Wondering if anyone else is like me. I have almost every size clothes in my closets. Seriously from size 8 jeans that I wore for about a minute when I lost weight ten years ago to the size 24 that I was wearing before my surgery, and every size in between.

Although I am over 6 months out, and really feel like I have done great, I'm still nervous about getting rid of all my plus size clothes. At first, it was so exciting donating all the 3X tops that I never really liked but had to buy to cover myself. I did ok getting ride of the 2X clothes too, even though I had some really nice things for work. But now that I am wearing a regular size Large or X-Large, I feel nervous about getting rid of my 1X sizes for good. Many of them are like new and were my goal for so long. Since I've struggled with weight my whole life, part of me, the partical side that has past history to prove it, wants to pack them away.....'just in case'. Everyone says I need to get rid of them permamently, to put that life behind me for good.

I don't want to wear them, since I'm smaller I want more fitting clothes but I keep parking them away. I'm sure it has something to do with fear and disbelief that I can actually keep the weight off for good. I know this but still seem more attached than I should be.

Anyone else had the same conflict?

I don't have any of my old cloths anymore but I caught myself driving home to thinking, what if I gain my weight back? Then I decided, well I can't let that happen so I just have to follow the rules of the sleeve. Eat protein, protein, protein, veggies and no candy. I find myself really wanting candy really bad. I'm so addicted to sugar. Been really good with not eating sugars thank god. We just have to focus on healthy eating and exercise.

just pack them away in a box labeled "1X clothes" or whatever and forget about them. When you run into them again during a move or spring cleaning a year from now I bet you'll be able to get rid of them

Burn the bridge! It's just one more way to give you the incentive to modify your (our!) behavior for the long term!

Yes, it is hard to get rid of those sizes that were your goal for so long. My tough sizes were the 16's and 14's. But I have gotten rid of everything that is bigger than the 12 I am wearing now - except for some coats, my wedding dress, and some other dressy outfits I am going to have tailored. It made it some easier to find a couple of charities I believe in to give the clothes to - a thrift shoft that support a women's shelter and a "dress for success" group that helps get women back into the job market. That group really needed plus size and larger size business outfits, and I was happy to help.

Think of this analogy - you are on a journey to a new world. The journey is difficult, but you know you never want to go back to your previous home to live. So, once you get to goal, burn the ships that brought you to the new world. Then, you are never able to go back. Cortez did this when he conquered the Aztecs (not that I in any way am saying that part of the story is a good thing). But it is a great image to keep in mind.

I didn't wait to get to goal - I got rid of clothes all throughout the process. It was part of a major de-cluttering effort on my part.

Good Luck.

Sharon

Do it!!!!!! I held on for a long time and then cleaned it aaaaalllll out to the resale shop!!! No looking back! Plus, you will NEVER be that size again. Believe it!! Goo, Girl!!

This is one thing I did differently this time. Like you I had clothes in many sizes from losing and gaining it back. Those clothes helped me as I've been losing, especially the first 6 months or so, and I didn't have to really buy much. But now! I get rid of things so fast it makes my own head spin! Of course, I stretch them as far as I can - I can't afford new clothes every month. But once I'm out of a size, and it's no loger usable because it's way too baggy or too big in the shoulders and it falls off etc, it's gone baby!!!! I feel like I've been peeling down to the new me. I am not wearing those again. If I gain ONE POUND, it's coming off. I'm not doing that to myself again. I decided and made that committment so the big clothes go! :-)

I've packed mine, but I've yet to donate them. The only reason is...I've had no time. Maybe in May I can make it happen.

I say don't second guess your weight loss dedication. Toss them suckers.

I too have stuff from size 8 up to 20W. Frankly I'm glad I saved all my smaller sizes because on my journey (down 96# so far) I've had to buy almost no clothes, (Plus a lot of my stuff is so old that it's now fashionable again because it's now considered vintage!) I've been a little scared to get rid of my fat clothes so my strategy has been to buy a bunch of the giant zip-lock type "vacuum bags" on eBay and seal up the clothes in them and store them in a closet at our second home. I've told l myself that once I maintain my new found goal weight for a year I'll start getting rid of the things that no longer fit.

I completely understand where you are coming from. I had the same issue. I had mostly everything from 14-24 in my closet, and I've always cared very much about how I look (I always do my hair, makeup, jewelry, etc.) so it was hard letting go of all my nice clothing. I found that my taste hasn't changed much, but I found myself buying similar clothing in smaller sizes.

Now that I'm a 10/12 and M/L I have a few things that are XL (and mostly too big) but I do have a handy mom who can sew. She has fixed a few things for me that were my favorites. So at some point I will go through the XL stuff and see what can be fixed and what needs to go.

It is hard, but I think it's a necessary part of letting go of our formerly larger life.

M2G, you are a girl after my own heart! I am like you. Thinner or fatter ( mostly fatter) always had nice clothes and shoes accessories so I was very excited when I took my clothes to this nice resale shop close to me. I made SEVERAL hundred $$$$! I couldn't believe it. Everytime I went to check my balance, I'd pick up a check!!!! So. All of you holding on find a good place. GOOD plus size clothes are in HIGH demand!!

I totally see where you are coming from but...get rid of them! You had this surgery to help you lose weight...and it is working , you wont need them anymore! How about taking them to a weight loss support group in your area? We can bring and take clothes at ours...it is great! You trade down sizes and bring them back when they no longer fit...for the next person.

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had my surgery 3 years ago April 13. It took me a year to finally get rid of all my plus sizes. It was the best thing I ever did. I will never need them again.....because I will never let myself get to a size 24 again.

It's very empowering when you finally get rid of the old!