Monday, May 5, 2014

AIM: Is Vanity Fair?

Our topic for this month is vanity.  Does it play a role in weight maintenance?  For most of us, it certainly was a factor in weight loss...after all, I'm pretty sure none of us felt like we were looking our best when we were at our peak weight.  And I certainly liked seeing myself looking better and better as the weight came off - shopping for clothes was much more enjoyable, I wore complete outfits, including accessories, and I grew my hair longer.  It was fun, and I really liked what I saw in the mirror - yes, some might call it vain, but I would say it was more of an appreciation for the new me.

So, now that the newness has worn off, is vanity still an issue when it comes to weight maintenance?  Heck yes!  I have definitely slacked off somewhat in the area of clothing - partly because I no longer work and don't have as many opportunities to dress nicely (Jeff is gone a lot and Paco loves me no matter what I wear), but I still enjoy dressing - well, not exactly up, but at least nicely - when I leave the house.  Pretty much the only time you'll find me looking less-than put together is if I'm running errands (or eating breakfast) after a run...and even then, I can guarantee that my socks, shirt and headband will be coordinated. 

Reading this, some of you may be thinking "who cares, really?" - and I get that.  I know that no one is judging me because of what I'm wearing.  But I feel good about myself when I'm pulled together, and feeling good about myself makes me tend toward taking better care in all areas - food choices, exercise, sleep habits - which in turn helps me maintain this healthy way of living.  And that's what it's all about!


AIM: Adventures in Maintenance is Lynn, Lori, Debby, Shelley, and Cammy, former weight-loss bloggers who now write about life in maintenance. We formed AIM to work together to turn up the volume on the issues facing people in weight maintenance. We publish a post on the same topic on the first Monday of each month. Let us know if there is a topic you'd like us to address - here's the link to our Ask Us (almost) Anything form - click here and ask away!

24 comments:

  1. I agree vanity plays a small part in being committed to maintaining your weight loss. Nobody likes to have to buy bigger size clothes. I am always relieved when I put my jeans on and they fit fine after not having worn them for 6 months too hot here in Florida to wear year round... No matter the reason stopping the yo-yo weight gain and lose is important for our health.

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    1. I know that relief! I think it comes from many years of growing out of my clothes between seasons - so nice to not see that happening now.

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  2. Nothing wrong with vanity, not when you are losing, maintaining or nothing at all. I like to dress nicely like you. I even wear underwear that matches my outfit for the day. But you don't want to see me at night when I wear sweatpants, a shirt and a sweat jacket :) Also at the weekend I'm dressed very casual (jeans and shirt) if I don't have to go anywhere.

    I love it that your running outfits are always a match (hmm thinking about that: I have that too). Why not right?

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    1. You always look pulled together to me - I think your "casual" is my "top of the line" most days, LOL!

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  3. I honestly think if it were a tad more about vanity HERE Id...not have maintained better but maybe...have maintained my entire PACKAGE BETTER?
    I know :-)
    vague...
    but Im still pondering.

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  4. So I won't find you in Walmart in your PJs? LOL I am fashion challenged and actually get ideas by the photos you post of your outfits (running or regular), so if that's you being vain, keep it up!

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    1. I had to laugh at your comment Lynn because I've been known to go to the grocery store in my lounging pants - my husband just shakes his head when I leave the house! :D

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    2. Oh yeah, you will NEVER see me in public in my sweats or loungewear. Closest to that would be my running gear, and even then, it's usually a skirt over capris.

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  5. I was going to say you are the Queen of Accessorizing your running wardrobe! Even matching the socks to your head band! Love it! I dressed up for a work event last night and everyone said "I had no idea your hair was so long!" I always pull it back in a pony tail, but in all honesty, it literally took me 5 minutes to curl my hair - I have time to do it, I just need to do it more often. Happy Monday!

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    1. That's the thing - it takes me no more than a couple extra minutes to pull myself together (even putting hot rollers in my hair only takes me five minutes), so I try to make the effort. I saw your picture from last night - you looked fab!

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  6. I have found that if I dress down or uncoordinated I will gain a few extra pounds. It's something about seeing my image in the mirror each day that keeps me in check. I am still a WIP, but I don't have those "come to Jesus" moments when I realize I have gained an extra 10 lbs.

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    1. YES!!! If I look frumpy, I feel frumpy and that leads to the "might as well eat this" thought process, which I do not need!

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  7. Even though I retired about 4 years & am working hard to lose weight, I too, like to ensure I look somewhat "put together". At least up until 7:00 pm. When Jeopardy beckons me at 7:30, I'm usually in my PJs. I have a quirk that the colour of my undies should match my outfit. My hubby finds this amusing. I do think it's important to look your best & this is easily achievable by wearing comfortable, colourful clothing that YOU feel looks good on you. Accessories also may help if you're comfortable wearing them. Again to me what's key is dressing for yourself & not others. If you're feeling a bit down one day, perhaps sweats or PJs is just what you need to lounge around in.

    Thanks Shelley for your post!

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    1. Yep. My outfits aren't super fancy, and I tend to wear the same thing often, but they look nice enough that I feel good. I, too, change into comfy clothes for the evening, once I'm "done" with the day. LOL on your underwear matching - you and Fran have that in common!

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  8. Yep, I like to look put together too. I forgot to mention that on my blog--every Sunday (the only day I "dress up" there is a pile of clothes on my bed. I just have to find the right combo for how I am feeling that particular day!

    And now after reading Teresa's comment I have an urge to wear sweats all day. I'm not down, it just sounds tantalizing to me.

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    1. Are you staying home? A sweats day might be in order, then! :)

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  9. I'm your opposite in that I live in casual clothing. Really casual, most of the time. But I almost always put on makeup and do something with my hair before I leave the house. Go figure. :)

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    1. That's what I do! No make up here unless I'm leaving the house...and I pity the fool who knocks on my door unexpectedly. ;)

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  10. I totally get that, I like feeling pulled together (especially in my running gear, for some reason).

    And you're right that it's more an appreciation of self than vanity. When I lost a lot of weight for the first time, I was definitely doing it with my appearance in mind more than anything else. I 22 and it was the first time in my life that I ever really felt like I was attractive, and this also happened to be the time that I started really feeling confident about myself and comfortable in my own skin. And once I gained that confidence, it never really wavered, even as my weight has gone up and down over the years. So it did start as vanity, but anymore I'm just doing it to stay healthy and feel good.

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  11. I wear a lot of casual clothing and a lot of times I don't match. I think especially when I wear socks and sandals, you and Fran would probably cringe to be seen with me LOL! I don't think liking how you look and enjoying is really vanity.

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  12. I agree that if you look better, you feel better. I love that you say it is "an appreciation" of you! That is so true. We need to appreciate our selves for what we are and not have it considered to be "vain".

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  13. I wish vanity didn't play a part in my motivation for exercise and watching my weight, but I'd be a liar if I pretended it didn't. Which is weird, because as a kinda butch gal who doesn't usually care at all about conventional standards of attractiveness, somehow I've internalized the whole lean thing. Though I aspire to probably a more muscular version of lean than most straight gals would, not that I have any clue how to get there.

    Sitll, it's a superficial goal! But one that's kinda motivating, I gotta admit. :)

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  14. I love how refreshingly honest this post is. YES vanity keeps me happy when I feel put together, I feel confident and happy :)

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  15. Exactly!! :D. I commented on Cammy's post that in recent months I was wondering if it was wrong to want to look good in my clothing, because I almost felt vain. However, I know the approximately 10 pounds I've gained in the last six months have come about by moments where I felt out of control, so wanting to be smaller to me is equated with having better self control much more than a desire to look good in smaller clothes.

    I was taught that getting dressed, with even a little mascara (for this pale faced girl) and some lip gloss will do wonders for making me feel better about myself throughout the day and I think it's true. I've just learned that I don't need to worry about that until after I run or workout...and that's okay too. lol

    Thanks for your post!

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