You might be over the moon (or at least content) once you’ve managed to drop some weight and purchase an outfit you’ve had your eyes on for a long time. But what happens when you realise that despite all your hard work, you aren’t exactly where you want to be? Maybe you’ve tried on a few different outfits and none of them seem to work for you. Or, you’ve tried to change your eating habits but without much success. Well, here’s something you might not have considered: When you’ve tried hard to lose weight, there’s a good chance you’ve given a lot of attention to your clothing. Especially since the outfit you’re most passionate about isn’t working for you. But, rather than focusing on what doesn’t feel right, perhaps it’s time to accept that there’s an intrinsic connection between your body and your clothing.
Your Body And Your Clothing
Is there something wrong with the way you look in your clothes? Or, is it that the clothes don’t fit you? It’s easy to answer the first question; you might go down a size or two but, regardless of how much weight you lose, there’s always something off. When your clothing doesn’t feel right on you, it can be an indication that there’s something wrong with your body. The connection between your body and your clothing is so intricate that you can’t have one without the other. When you lose weight, you might find that certain clothes don’t look as good as you remembered them looking or that they don’t feel as good as you anticipated. Since your body changes as you lose weight, it can be hard to establish a precise connection between the two. However, once you’ve found your ‘ideal weight’, you can get back on track and ensure that your clothing fits you perfectly (and yes, feels as good as new).
Fitting In
Another problem that commonly crops up after you’ve lost a significant amount of weight is ‘fitting in’. When you’re at a wedding or any type of social function, you might find that the people you’re meeting feel intimidated by your presence or that you feel out of place even though you’re at a gathering of friends and family. In these types of situations, your clothing doesn’t necessarily have to be the cause of your discomfort. But it’s not an ideal situation when you feel like a ‘skinny person’ amongst ‘jumpy people’ or when you feel like you have to explain yourself to others because you don’t feel like you ‘fit’ with the ‘average’ person. Fitting in at work is also a significant issue; you might feel that you don’t quite match the environment you’re in or that your clothing doesn’t suit the ‘professional’ image you’re trying to project. In these situations, it’s not necessarily about losing weight, it’s about establishing your own identity and making the people around you feel comfortable enough so that they accept you for who you are.
Body Image Problems
Still another issue that often crops up after you’ve lost a significant amount of weight is body-image problems. Even though you’ve likely tackled this issue head on by establishing healthy eating habits and working out, there’s still a possibility that you might experience moments of insecurity when you look in the mirror. Is my body really acceptable or am I making things up? When you’re at your ‘ideal weight’, it can be hard to tell whether or not your body is acceptable. You don’t exactly match the ‘average’ person when you’ve achieved your goal weight and it can be scary to look at yourself in the mirror. Especially since you’re not sure whether or not you’ll like what you see. Insecurity is never a good thing and can cause you to avoid social situations or put yourself in compromising positions. If you experience insecurity when it comes to your body, it might be time to seek professional help. There are many ways in which your body-image can be improved and many psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists are trained to help people with this type of issue. They might suggest that you establish an exercise routine which focuses on building your strength and confidence instead of focusing on weight loss. And remember: you aren’t exactly the ‘average’ person when you’ve achieved your goal weight and you might experience insecurity about your looks even when you’re with your loved ones. In these types of situations, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and that there are people who care about you.
Mature Attitudes
Finally, it’s important to remember that your clothing isn’t only about looking good. There’s more to good attire than meets the eye. Some people might say that your clothing expresses who you are, reflects your personality, and/or helps others to understand you. When you have a ‘mature’ attitude, you’re aware that there are more important things in life than fitting in and making people feel comfortable around you. You’ve understood the connection between your body and your clothing and you’re not afraid to let people know that you’re not the average person. Furthermore, you’ve gained enough self-confidence to realize that you don’t have to impress people with your clothes; you can be comfortable in your own skin and let your clothing do the talking. It’s important to remember that your clothing doesn’t have to be perfect to achieve this goal. Once you’ve found your ‘ideal weight’, it’s time to spread your arms and embrace the marvelous feeling that comes with being comfortable in your own skin. Embrace your uniqueness and you’ll soon find that your clothing begins to look like a work of art instead of a fashion statement. You can also ask anyone who knows you to attest to your maturity; they’ll tell you that you’ve become a bit more serious but still retain a sense of humor. And last but not least: you might just find that your clothing begins to work for you.