Connie Carpenter

Question:  My new weight loss program is working great; the problem is that none of my clothes fit anymore. Since I'm continuing to lose inches I can't justify buying a new wardrobe, so my question is, "What am I supposed to wear to work during this transition time?"
ANSWER: It just doesn't seem fair does it? You finally lose some inches, feel better about yourself, deserve a new wardrobe, but can't justify the cost for temporary clothing. We've all been there. There are a few things that you can do for your wardrobe needs during this transition period.
First, go to your other wardrobe (we all have one). We all tend to hang on to favorite clothes that we've long outgrown. With today's styles being so diverse, chances are that you'll have items from the past that can be paired with new pieces, or accessorized for a brand new look.
Look for clothes that are "One size fits all." I'm not suggesting baggy, sloppy, tents! Stretchy knit dresses that hang loosely can be paired with a stylish jacket of the same material. Jackets that fall below the hips are ideal. Keeping the materials in the same family elongates the body, adding height and slenderness. Don't break the elongation with any eye distracting features such as a belt. If you do want to add a belt, add a loose fitting belt that hangs at or below the hips. Add fun accessories around the neck and chest area that draw the eye upward. Pretty scarves, costume pendants, earrings, and necklaces are all eye catchers. When adding a colorful scarf, make sure that the theme of the scarf (either the knot or bow) falls at a part of the body that is complimentary. If you're heavy in the chest area, bring the attention above that. If you're still sporting a few extra chins, bring the attention below that area. If your neck area is heavy, stay away from choker type necklaces and round necklines that hit at the neck. Again, use the neckline of the garment to draw attention away from problem areas and to accentuate positive ones.
Loose fitting pants with a drawstring waist may seem like a simple solution, but studies have shown that we actually fool ourselves by having the option to "let that drawstring out just a little" making it easy to ignore the few pounds that we gained over the weekend. Instead, continue wearing your current wardrobe, even if it's a little uncomfortable at first. Remember those little tricks to expand the waistline that we all used when we first became pregnant? For jeans, zip them as far as you can, run a rubber band through the buttonhole and loop it over the button. This can expand your waist by 1-2 inches instantly, depending on the size of the rubber band. Now pair with a loose fitting sweater or shirt that falls to the hips. The same adjustment can be made for dress pants and skirts.
If you find that you are beginning to lose some inches and that your pants all sagging, another trick is to thread a thin piece of elastic (not more than ½-1 inch) through the existing waistband. If you don't sew, just secure the ends of the elastic with safety pins. As you continue to reduce, you can cut the elastic to fit your progress. If you have the ability to sew, you can make alterations to your waistband and hips, by taking in a little material from each side and tacking it. The safety pins will serve this purpose as well. These techniques may register a little tacky to you, but it will help you remain motivated to reach your desired weight, so that you don't have to alter to wear. Shop thrift shops, garage sales, and clearance racks. Network with others who are in the same boat as you are for a friendly clothes exchange. As frustrating as this transition period may be, the rewards at the end will be well worth it.