I'm in an extra good mood these days! My body is in a state of constant change, and each day I seem to feel and see things differently than the day before. It's like I'm living life in full color now, so, bare with me a minute while I brag just a little bit. I think once I tell you the story, you'll be happy with me. (Wink)
OK, so, as we all can see, summer is approaching, and due to some planned trips to warmer climates, I was recently forced to make a trip to a local retailer. I say forced, because in the past shopping for clothes wasn't something fun. I dreaded it with a passion. I'm sure many of you can relate, however, this was a fashion dire emergency.
Having lost well over 330 pounds, 95% of my clothes didn't fit! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It's a good thing but just the idea of going clothes shopping had me breaking out into hives (figuratively speaking). So, I force myself to go and I'm checking out the latest fashions in the King-size section. You know what I'm talking about; that section where every designer seems to believe that all large people are working as part time clowns on the side. Who makes this stuff? Anyway, for those that have never lived an obese life, the way it works is, the regular sizes, say in the men's dept, only go up to size 42. If you're bigger than that, one heads to the hefty section, a.k.a Big Man's corner (emphasis on BIG).
I needed jeans badly, so I picked out a pair of 44's, which just recently fit me, and placed them into the try-on pile. Next, I went over to the swim wear. Now, let me tell you peeps, in the old days, I wouldn't have been caught dead in this section. And, in fact, I would have avoided it like a colony cursed with the plague I haven't owned a pair of swim trunks in years, but I desire a few dips this summer, so, I carefully walked into the lion's den.
Huh, this isn't so bad, I thought. Then looking at the 3 X's (my old size as of a few months ago), I pause for just a moment and then kept moving, right into the 2 X section. Where I grab a cool blue pair of flower patterned (Manly flowers, mind you) swim trunks, and a long with my 44 sized jeans, head to the dressing room.
On the way, I look over at the regular men's sections--where designers actually understand that some men aren't part time clowns. Man, those clothes are just way cool (Pardon my 80's moment)! I thought, but wasn't ready to enter the circus-free zone just yet--not for a few more pounds, anyway. However, the temptation was too much so I stopped and picked up a pair of 42 jeans. I thought, well, I might as well give it a try, see just how far I have yet to go.
I get to the dressing room, and of course the internal battle starts. Which one do I try on first? Do I start with the smaller one and get the disappointment over with or do I go with what I know will fit and be happy? It's a tough choice, but I go for the smaller jeans first.
When I put those babies on, I was in shock. They fit!!!!!!!! OMG. OGL. Oh H*LL yeah! I was ready to do back flips. I, Daniel Wayne Hawthorne, had picked out a pair of jeans in the regular sized men's department! And they fit me! I haven't shopped in that section since I was in my 20's.
Praise JESUS! I wanted to scream for joy but the employee lady--the one that gives you those little plastic number-thingy's when you entered--was old and I didn't want to give her a heart attack. I mean, I was about to have a real old fashion Sunday-go-to-meeting spiritual revival right then and there. Then I went to the 2X trunks, slid them on, and felt like I was wearing a large two-man tent! Can this be? Can Dan really be wearing a regular XL pair of swim trunks?
HECK YEA PEEPS!!!! That's what I'm telling you!
There have been many great moments a long my journey, but this one, I will never forget. I hadn't planned on reaching any special goals that day. All I know for certain is that every day that I'm alive is a wonderful surprise. Friends, keep working hard, do your best every day. Be consistent and you will experience events and moments like these for yourself!
As it was, I was so excited that my evening work out had a little extra humph to it. And now, as I get closer to my final goal (225 LBS-235 LBS), my new life is a clear reality. Its within reach. Just two years ago, when I was six hundred and twenty five pounds, I could only dream of shopping in the regular men's section. I'm there and let me tell you, it's an unbelievable feeling. And it proves, to me and I hope to you too, that what we talk about every week is true. We can all have a new life by just making better eating choices, exercising regularly, and above all, retain a positive attitude as much as possible. Bottom line: Believe in yourself. It's just that simple.
OK, that's it, no more bragging. At least until I reach that size 40, which is coming up next. Besides, I gotta go shopping. I just heard that's there's a blue light special on Levis at the Big Mart, so, I'm out of here! LEVIS! Can you imagine? Hey, don't count me out. They may just fit me next week, as one never knows what milestones can be conquered when we believe!
PEACE
Dan
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