What size is that?

Shopping has never been a favorite activity of mine. Doesn't matter the type of shopping: clothing, grocery, shoes...you name it and I despised it. So when I realized that I really needed to go clothing shopping I put it off for a month or so. Last Saturday we helped my parents clean out their basement after it flooded and I overheard my mom and sister talking about going shopping. One of things I was dreading about shopping was going alone. So I asked if I could tag along. I LOVE spending time with my mom and sister and it had been quite a while since we were able to spend more than 10 minutes together. So I figured it might be fun in spite of the fact that we were doing one of my least favorite activities.

We met at the mall and I got there first so I stopped at Old Navy. My co-worker loves their workout gear and all my workout pants are too big so I figured it was a good place to start. I grabbed mediums off the rack, a size 8 pair of shorts (!) and a really pretty blue dress. Everything fit like it was made for me! Except the medium shirt was too big and I meant to grab a small but I forgot so I ended up not getting one. But the blue dress was AMAZING:

We then ventured over to Kohl's where I tried on more fun dresses. We discovered that this particular cut looked really good on me. So we kept finding more and more for me to try on. I was grabbing mediums once again because I really thought that is what I would need. My mom found this amazing black dress but the hanger said it was a small. I said I would at least try it on just in case it might fit. I had a BLAST trying on all those dresses! The mediums were all too big, and the smalls were fitting perfectly. The black dress was a tiny bit snug, but knowing I still have more to lose, I got it anyway:

Two of the dresses I found that fit perfectly were a size six! I haven't been a size six since high school! The pair of khaki capris I got were also a size 6. I was just in shock at the sizes I was trying on. I never thought I would ever fit something smaller than an 8. It was unreal to me. I had so much fun finding clothes that I felt great in. I also got some great deals on it all, so it ended up being a great experience! And I had soooo much fun hanging out with my mom and sister.

I got home and was laying out all my new stuff and saw that the belt on the black dress said "2" on it. I thought it must just be a labeling thing and didn't think much of it. When I went to actually hang it up in my closet I saw the tag on the dress that I thought was just a Small was, in fact, a size 2! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! REALLY?!? Of course I justify it by saying it has to be a bigger size 2, but STILL! I was over the moon when I realized that! Never in my wildest imagination did I EVER think that I would fit that size! And the sad thing is, if we had noticed it was a 2 before I tried it on, I NEVER would have tried it on and I would have missed out!

I have enjoyed wearing my new dresses to work. I have been getting so many compliments and questions about my weight loss. I love having the confidence to wear clothes that make me feel amazing. I had a co-worker ask "what's with all the dresses" and my response is simply "because I can!". I feel great and I think that the way I dress really reflects how I feel about myself. I definitely enjoy my jeans and t-shirts still, and I still prefer to lounge around the house in yoga or compression pants, but I don't do it to hide my body anymore. Everything I wear is somehow flattering to my new shape. I am proud of how I look now. Proud of all the hard work I have put into myself finally coming to fruition. It won't be long before I have to go shopping again, and this time I will not be dreading it in the slightest. In fact, I can't wait to do it again!