Maybe this was a bit impulsive, but an ad for Zulily came across my screen today, and I decided to take a look. BEAUTIFUL stuff. Okay, but NONE in my size (such has been the story of my life...you understand, I know). I thought, well, you are going to have this surgery sometime in October, why not pick out a couple of things that you absolutely salivate over and use them as an incentive? Now, in the past when I have done this, it was a waste of time. I got down by 20 pounds or something and the whole thing would be done, I'd get the weight back plus some, and the outfit would be given as a gift to someone thinner. NOT ANYMORE. I know that this is a tool, and I am learning the keys to making it work while I save my money for the surgery...but with this tool I am going to make being healthy and thin my reality for the first time!

So if I start to wonder why I am doing this, or if I should cancel, or get scared and think it's not so bad just staying the way I have been my whole life, I'm going to pull out my outfits and imagine myself fitting into them, for real.

One thing, though. I couldn't make myself order anything less than a medium. I can't imagine being smaller than that, and besides, I wanted to be conservative. If I get to a small (unimaginable, and not really all that necessary for my happiness), I can always take the clothes in a bit on my sewing machine.

I think it is a great idea. I had a suit (missy 16) that I never lost enough to get into so I was thrilled when it finally fit. I bought a Betsy Johnson dress last summer (size 8). It was motivating to keep trying it on. Eventually, I wore it on my birthday and now it is a bit too big!

I think it's a good idea too, I have like 4 totes of super cute size 14 clothes in my garage, for 4 years now. I'm hope I'll be wearing them by summertime and my husband can have the space in the garage back lol

I hung a really cute tank top on my bedroom door when I was banded 4 1/2 yrs ago, looking at it everyday. By the time I tried it on, it was too big! What a problem to have!

Last summer, I looked terrible in tanks. I had gained 30 lbs when my band slipped but I've since lost almost all of that since my revision 9 mths ago. I've bought a few tanks recently and they look almost decent. Still have some rolls (boob fattage) that pop out occasionally, but they look better than they ever have.

I think it's a great idea! Have something u can look at everyday and aspire to fit into. Good luck!

One of my past more successful weight loss attempts had me in to a size 16, not 16W, but 16. I bought several pairs of Levis jeans, but I never got to wear them, I was at that weight for a heart beat it seems. Anyway, those jeans, still with the tags on them are my thinspiration, my surgery date in June 11th. I am traveling for business this week and have been really happy with my eating behaviors, considering I am eating out three times a day. Guess my pre op brain is kicking in already :-D

Edited April 26, 201412 yr by SnohoGal98296

I did this and it can be a real morale booster when the scale is being a poopie pants. The scale isn't always as charming as we would like. Incentive clothes were my greatest joy!

I have an amazing pair of size 10 jeans from the Limited that I used to wear all the time when I was at my thinnest (before my band slipped). They're tucked away in a storage bin at the moment, but I plan on getting them out soon in preparation for my upcoming journey with the sleeve :-)

I have a nice, soft leather jacket I bought many years ago after I had lost 40 pounds; I haven't been able to wear it in many years, but this weekend I plan on taking a photo with it on, then I'm going to hang it in the open and make it be a goal to be able to wear it by next spring. Who knows, I may even be able to wear it BEFORE then!!

I also have some nice size 12 jeans that I'm hoping I might wear by Christmas.

We all need to have goals, and motivation!

Counting down to my surgery in 6 weeks

aww, I just remembered I have a Boston Redsox hoodie that's super cute, my son bought it for me and it didn't begin to fit. I can't wait to wear it one day!

Bought a pair of jeans with a little bit of butt bling :-) Believe me when I get into those jeans I will be strut tin' my stuff :-)

I thought about my incentive clothes and knew what I would get, but didn't buy them till they fit because I can be very picky and wasn't sure what season I would be that size. Do watch out for blowing by a size. I had a too small dress in the closet and by the time I tried it on, it was too big. I agree, it's a good problem, but still one to watch for when shopping or queuing up the boxes of too small stuff.

Lynda