I have three trash bags of clothes to give away.  For the first time they are not clothes that are too small.  These pants (with elastic waist bands that have stretched way beyond capacity), and these shirts (with fabric worn thin and buttons popped) have served me well, but, alas, they are TOO BIG FOR ME NOW!!!  HA!!!

  

While cleaning out my closet this week I found a pair of brand new jeans my mother had bought for my birthday last year (2008).  Last year, I could pull these size 24s up, but not button, or zip them.  This year, they fit!  I also discovered the size 28 capri pants I was so happy to fit into this summer are TOO BIG!!!  I'm wearing REAL JEANS this winter that are SIZE 24!!! 

Many of you may not understand what I mean by 'real jeans'.  I had some pants made of denim, but they had no pockets, no zipper, no button.  The 'jeans' I had were stretchy and elastic.  If I wore a long shirt you might think I was wearing regular jeans, but these were essentially maternity jeans.  I'm so done with the maternity jeans!  I may light a fire in my drive way and burn them all. 

Tonight I went shopping at CJ Banks and bought 2 more pair of these awesome size 24 'real jeans'.  They have pockets, a zipper and button, and NO ELASTIC.  I'm in jean heaven!  For the first time in my life, I was excited to try on jeans!  It is so wonderful to see my huge belly tamed by the almighty blue jean.  The non-elastic waist band seems to say, "back you gelatinous rolls of flab!  Back you go!"  If only there were jeans for my arm flab.

It feels so right to be able to slip into a comfortable pair of blue jeans and a cozy sweater as winter approaches.  They are like old friends I had forgotten.  I almost felt normal when I went shopping tonight.  I walked into the Yankee Candle store to browse and I wanted to shout, "look at me!  I have normal clothes on!  I feel human again!" 

I have flashed a few of my friends.  I greet them with a nice, "hello, have you seen my new pants?  They have no elastic and a zipper just like yours!"  I'm not even embarrassed to lift my shirt a bit to show off my newly forming waist.

I've overcome the H1N1 virus and my doctor has given me the O.K. to exercise.  Back to cardio rehab I go!  I would like to be in the 250s before 2010.  At this rate, I just might make it, and I'll probably have to buy a new pair of jeans.  Maybe some in hot pink?

  

Only 112 more pounds to go on my journey to the big 155.