Long and Lean? Not Quite, But Working On It

I think I may have figured out one way to stay motivated through all of this: jeans. I was at work on Saturday and thinking to myself that I really needed to do my laundry because my jeans were fairly stretched out and definitely not doing my butt any favors. And then I thought that maybe I should try on a pair of size 14's (I'm currently a size 16) to see how they fit and gauge how far away I am from moving down a size. I remember I did that with the 16's a year ago and was ecstatic to see that I while the 16's weren't completely flattering I could button them up.

So after work I'm trying on clothes and I decide to try on the Long and Leans first because let's be honest, out of all the Gap jeans those are the ones you can move down in size first. I put the 14's on and not only did they fit but they looked really good too! I was so happy it was crazy. I stood in my fitting on the verge of tears I was so happy. I honestly don't remember the exact last time that I was a size 14. I know it was somewhere around 7th or 8th grade but that's it. To know that I'm at a size that I was at 10 years ago is crazy to me (and a wee bit sad when I think about how fat I was at that age).

While I was obviously very pumped about this experience I also knew that the Long and Leans aren't the best judge of true size and it could very well be that those are the only pants I'd actually fit into at that size. And for the most part I was right. The Sexy Boot definitely did not button and the Always Skinny were no where close to being able to fit (that's the true testament of being that size - if I can fit into the Always Skinny). But I was also trying on some dress pants because I do need some. In the Hip Slung dress pants I am in fact a size 14. I tried on the Curvy dress pants in a 16 and they were a wee bit loose, but kind of OK. I think in those I'm in between the 14 and 16 but I didn't try on the 14 because well by that point I didn't really care all that much. I was too freaking excited that I'm moving my way down to the 14 club!!

Trying on those jeans helped me realize that going to the gym and actively trying to live healthier does have its rewards. It's taken me 5 months to get there but I'm finally moving out of what I know. I know what size 16 feels like. Below that, I've got nothing. So this being somewhere new in my journey to a healthier me is exciting and it is very rewarding. But most of all, it is very inspirational. I got home from my jean fit session and immediately went to the gym (and no, it was not the first time I went that week either). After my almost 2 month work out hiatus I've been building my running stamina back up and I pushed myself to 1.24 miles. While not near my record of 2.5 miles it's still a step along the way. And really, that's all this is, a bunch of steps. I know I can only take one at a time and it may take me what feels like forever to get where I want to go but if I keep on taking those steps eventually I will reach my destination.

So honestly, if you're like me and grasping for anything motivational after the initial buzz has worn off go try on some jeans. It may be exactly what you need to get back into that gym and recommit you to your healthy lifestyle. I know for me putting on those jeans has been the most rewarding part of this journey so far.