Most people in the world here the term "off the rack" and think of rich people that order custom apparel and us "normal" folk have to buy clothes that aren't custom made to our bodies off the sales rack. Well . . . that's one meaning -- but another meaning is for those of that have struggled with our weight.
See - once you reach a certain size, you are no longer able to go into any store and buy anything there. See, they don't really make your size. So - you are shuffled off to the specialty stores to buy clothing that fits -- at exhorbitent prices.
Well today, after about 8 years of shopping in specialty stores -- I can PROUDLY say that I bought some clothing OFF THE F'KN RACK!!!! Yes, ladies and gents -- today is a day of freedom for me - of overpriced underwear (instead of 2 for $20 I can get 4 for $9), going bankrupt for a shirt, and basically getting killed at the register for a tshirt.
Today, at Target (of course!), I bought a pack of 2XL underwear (boxer briefs -- what else would I wear?) and some workout shirts that were 2XL. To give you a comparison -- I was wearing 7XL clothes before the surgery. Um . . . That's like holding a 2XL shirt next to a men's XS shirt . . . It's still kinda hard to fully grasp.
Pant size is getting close to off the rack territory as well. Was wearing a (so embarrassed to write this) 64" pant size, and now can fit into a 48" pant. Four more inches will put me in off the rack territory as well. I feel like running around screaming like a school girl -- but I won't. How about I just smile really big? :D
The ab routine is really working out well - as I've lost 7 lbs this week. I had to call the doc b/c he wanted me to tell him if I lose over 5 in one week - but all is fine. It's just the workout. I'm now down 142 lbs . . . 24 more lbs and I'll be under 300 -- and that's been a LONG time coming.
You know I fuss because I have gained a few (*cough) pounds but you know I had never thought too much about how hard it is to find clothes. Living with my dad growing up (I say that bc later I lived with my mom) I remember having a hard time finding birthday and Christmas presents for him. I do know that when I go into mens stores that I see clothes for big/tall men and they are freaking expensive. I am so glad you have reached a new point where you are able to appreciate something that most of us take for granted. I know we do not as corraspond as much as I would like for us to but Wayne and I are constantly bringing up the subject of JoeJoe. A stranger over hearing us might think that we know you better than we do. None the less I am saying this to let you know that we do think about you and both Wayne and I recognize all of your hard work and we are so happy that you are happier!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you! I, too, am now able to buy clothes in a *regular* store - which means I can buy cheap t-shirts and jeans at Walmart and not mind when I shrink out of them. $9 for a pair of jeans versus $60 to order my old size online.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog via facebook and I'm looking forward to reading more of your journey.