I tried on the goal pants, this morning, for the first time in two weeks. I also picked out a new goal shirt.

The pants?  A slight bit of progress, there: I was able to button and zip them without laying down on a bed and sucking in my gut to my backbone. 😀  Yeah, actually, that’s probably better than “slight”.  I also wore them long enough to take some progress pics in them, since the pics aren’t obscene, now.  When I first picked these pants, there was no way I could take pics in them; not unless I was willing to show everyone the fit of my underwear — front and back.  A simply terrifying thought, all the way around.  I probably have a good 10-15 pounds to go — all below the waist — to have a nice, comfy fit in them.

The new try-on shirt is a button-down long sleeve shirt I’ve had for a long time. Size 18-20.  Right now, it’ll button, but it’s pretty snug, and the upper arms are quite tight. I just about can’t get the sleeve all the way on.  This makes it tighter across the chest area than it would be if the sleeves fit, so I should see some decent progress on the shirt as my upper arms decrease in size.

As a bonus, I tried on a couple other pair of size 22 pants that I’d thrown in the doesn’t-fit-yet drawer.  One is a pair of stretchy corduroys.  I have a hard time, when I put on pants that are stretchy, knowing whether they really fit or not, because the stretch in them makes them look tight to me, but they feel comfy.  I decided to wear these pants for a while to see if they magically grow; they are perfectly comfortable right now, but I think the stretch in them shows off my bumpy legs.  The other pants I tried on are a pair of capris that I wore probably four years ago.  Easy fit.  This is nice reinforcement, and as I posted on Monday, I need that.

I mentioned earlier that I took some progress pics; this was part of several promises I made to myself at the beginning of the week.  I felt it would give me a brain-boost if I could take the progress pics in the goal jeans and shirt; both because I need progress indicators as these clothes begin to fit right, and because it’s been two months since my last pics, and I need to compare.  I’m betting I see a difference.  So I’m glad I kept that promise.

Another promise was to quit slacking about trying on my goal clothes. Not seeing progress put me in an apathetic mindset that was up to me to break.  I expected to see no progress at all in fit, and am pleased that there appears to be a little bit of change.

Another was to stay on track all week, which meant keeping up with exercise goals of 5 times a week, eating properly, and being productive.  I have done all three so far this week; all my exercise sessions are complete for the week, for the first time since before the Christmas holiday.  I usually don’t have problems with food during the week, and routinely come in under my carb/calorie goals; it’s the weekends that have been a problem. I have let my guard down and I need to be a bit more diligent.  Since today’s Friday, that promise starts today.

I mentioned being more productive, above; while that doesn’t directly tie into a success mindset for gaining health, I believe it helps mentally.  If I’m not getting done what I should, I feel bad, and that contributes to apathy.  If I can go to bed each night feeling as if I accomplished my goals for that day, I feel much better.

All in all, it’s been a good week.