Friday, March 2, 2012

A Small Victory, Tinted Purple

Yesterday, I folded the purple shirt you see in my photo (lefthand column) and donated it to charity. It no longer fit.

The good news, at least for someone who's long struggled with her weight, is that the shirt's too big. A swath of it poked from an unbuttoned cardigan sweater, and the collar levitated up and out.

Wearing it, I looked as if I'd borrowed clothes from my big sister-- a look I've always been drawn to. What weight-challenged woman doesn't harbor the fantasy that an item of clothing will swallow her up?

In the past, I'd have kept that blouse for my fat days. Now I know keeping it is akin to sabotage. By giving it away, I declare an end to fat days.

Really, Pat? This, despite the fact history shows . . . Shut up!

I'm not going to make it easy to undermine myself with props like too-big favorite shirts. The purple one's gone. So is the gray-striped one. And the magenta.

Although I hate to shop, I ventured out--and bought two new shirts in a smaller size. Sadly, I couldn't find the perfect purple shirt in a store. Happily, I located it online, and it will arrive in a few days. Score!

It's not the equivalent of having my cake and eating it, too, because there's no cake. Sigh.

Nevertheless, a purple shirt that fits is hugely satisfying.

16 comments:

August McLaughlin said...

Say no to "fat clothes" and fat speak, Pat. I'm so glad you're on a healthy path and enjoying clothes that fit! Regardless of our size, we look and feel better in such threads. ;)

Big time congrats. Think I'll wear a purple shirt in your honor today.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Thanks, August! Thanks, too, from the inspiration you share at Savor the Storm.

Enjoy your purple shirt.

Karen McFarland said...

Congratulations Pat!

Let's declare today's color "Purple"!

Oh, you are the modern day version of the Purple People Eater! LOL!

And it's because of that I too am going to wear purple in your honor also.

Say NO to FAT! Say NO to FAT! Say NO to FAT! Hooray!I thought if I said it three times like Dorothy, it would help!:)

And you are welcome to drop back by my blog for a cyber drink. Patricia/Jansen Schmidt is serving Lemon Drops!!! It is Friday after all. No calories! Just sayin'.

Kecia Adams said...

Oooh! Yay! Well done, Pat. I recently had to "let go" of some of my previous sizes too. But those wool flannel pants cost gobs and you know you might need them someday..." As you said, "SHUT UP!" :) I too am much happier in my fitted clothes. Wearing a purple shirt right now, by coincidence! All the best!

Debra Eve | Later Bloomer said...

Congrats, Pat! I just started really tackling my "change of life" weight. You're such an inspiration.

Jennette Marie Powell said...

Congrats on having such a great reason to give you your purple shirt - and get another! Sometimes we have purple shirt day at work because our project manager likes purple. Next time, I'll be thinking of you AND him!

Patricia Rickrode w/a Jansen Schmidt said...

How nice that you got to get rid of an item for a really good reason. Too big! yay!!

And hooray or the new purple shirt. May you wear it long and prosper!

Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt

Sheila Seabrook said...

Yay, Pat, congratulations on sending the purple shirt down the road. Will you be giving us an updated photo of you in your new -- smaller sized -- purple shirt?

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

No-calorie Lemon Drops? I'm in, Karen. It's 9:30 Saturday a.m. here but five o'clock somewhere, right?

Thanks for wearing purple in solidarity. I'm going to miss that shirt.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Good job ditching the too-big pants, Kecia. (A wool-flannel blend sounds luscious and probably drapes beautifully, but too big is too big.) Flaunt your fitted clothes!

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

I got stuck in a state of denial for way too long about "change of life" weight gain, Debra. Imagine me lifting my fist skyward and saying, "Really? Another insult?" Good for you for tackling the problem sooner rather than later.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Purple shirt day at work, Jennette? There's another reason to love Dayton.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

I hear you've been mixing Lemon Drops, Patricia. What a great way to celebrate the weekend. Thanks for the kind words re my new purple shirt. It hasn't arrived yet, but I look forward to showing it off.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

About a new photo, Sheila: In it, I'll be thinner but two years older. Tough decision. I'll have a Lemon Drop and think about it.

Emma Burcart said...

I love the idea of getting rid of the clothes you don't need anymore! That shows how much you believe in yourself. Great job! I recently started going through my closet and getting rid of all the clothes I hate. It's time to stop trying to be someone I'm not.

Lark Howard said...

Good for you, Pat!! Giving away those big clothes is a commitment to staying thin we all need to make. You're right that keeping them undermines our confidence that we can stay thin.

If you need a shopping buddy, call me. It's one of my strong skill sets. :-)