Life & Fashion After Weight Loss [iTsArticles]

Hello, gorgeous! Yes, you … the one reading this. What? You don't think you look good? Honey, you're smokin' hot. You've worked your ass off -- literally -- to make those pounds melt away, and you should treat yourself to some serious shopping to dress that new you.

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The average U.S. woman is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 140 lbs., while the average model is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 117 lbs.

- The Eating Disorder Foundation

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Think Thin:

You don't deserve it, you say? You still feel fat? Well, you're not alone. Four out of five American women aren't happy with how they look, according to the Eating Disorder Foundation. But did you know that two out of five women would give up years of their lives to achieve their weight loss goals? You've already accomplished that! And considering the diet industry is the only one in the world with a 98-percent failure rate, you've beaten the odds. That should make you feel awesome.

But if you're still lacking the self-confidence to seek out a fabulous post-weight-loss style, know that it's common among women who've shed pounds. Losing weight is even more of a mental challenge than a physical one. Along with push-ups and sit-ups, you must do emotional calisthenics to sustain it. How? Affirmation work, according to Signe Darpinian, licensed therapist and founder of My Weigh, a California treatment center dedicated to eating, weight and body image issues.

“You have to lay down a new belief system,” Darpinian said. “To do that you have to diligently work on affirmations. Look the negative thoughts in the eye and gently push them away, replacing them with new affirmations like, 'My body is a temple and I'll treat it as such.' But choose an affirmation that is tailored to your specific body image.”

Be Prepared:

Once you're ready to do a little retail therapy, do it right. Darpinian recommends hitting the mall on a day when you'll see your therapist, if you have one. If not, take your BFF or someone close to you whom you can count on for support.

And while you're out and about, don't fall into the confidence crater that is comparing yourself to others, especially those who grace the pages of fashion mags. Did you know that the average U.S. woman is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 140 lbs., while the average model is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 117 lbs.? That staggering statistic comes from the Eating Disorder Foundation, which also points out that some magazines digitally alter photos to achieve picturesque perfection.

Shop in the Now:

When it comes to what to buy, therapists and stylists agree.

“Buy clothes that fit your body right now, not a size bigger or smaller,” Darpinian said. “That prevents future worry thoughts and is a good indicator that you're living with present awareness.”

Try on a range of sizes, starting with one you know is too large and working your way down to one that fits. Resist the temptation to squeeze yourself into a tight, Spandex dress. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Sharon Haver, founder of the FocusOnStyle online fashion magazine and a former stylist and syndicated fashion advice columnist, says you should take stock of your physical assets – nice legs or shapely tush, for example – and choose clothes that show those off. And remember that your figure type isn't going to change, even without excess poundage.

“Once an apple, always an apple,” Haver said, “but less of one.” You have to rock what you've got.

Smart Buys:

With any luck, your weight loss effort began with the inner you, transforming the outer you. Experience a similar effect with your wardrobe by launching your new look with well-fitting undergarments.

“When you're wearing a bra that's too big for you, you're going to look a little saggy,” Haver said. “Invest in the right size bra. And consider toning undergarments: pantyhose with a little Lycra or panties with laser cut edges to smooth you. When you lose weight, you lose elasticity, so good shapewear makes you look that much thinner.”

Other must-haves are items that are forgiving when you move a couple of pounds up or down on the scale, because it's impossible to maintain exactly the same weight. Haver recommends jeans and pants with a little stretch, wide legs and high waists. She also favors pieces that can pull double-duty, such as a tunic top or shirt dress that you can wear loose to cover your rear or belt when you're feeling thinner. The key to tops?  

“Jackets, tops and coats should fit across the shoulder and bust,” Haver said. “As long as it fits there, it will hang right.”

And hanging right is what it's all about, with your new clothes and your new body.

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