Shorts Dilemma
Yesterday I decided to depress myself by digging my shorts out of my closet and trying them on.
They still don’t fit.
The ones I bought, oh, three summers ago?!
You know… never worn? Are these even still in style?
I haven’t worn (non-running) shorts for a few summers. I just wear these stupid capris (photo from 7/8/11). Because they fit. But they look stupid.
I am going to wear normal shorts this summer, dammit! But now the question is… do I try to lose 15 pounds to fit in to these (not a bad idea, I need to lose weight…) or go through the pain and suffering of shopping for shorts?
What would you do – buy new shorts or try to fit in to the ones you have? Does anyone else have a shorts dilemma?
Seriously, I need to lose weight, so this is not a bad idea for motivation. It probably won’t work as motivation, but it’s a good idea.
Also, other things that made me feel a bit sad this weekend – old photos from college. I was trying to clear some space on my external hard drive for new photos and I deleted some photos from Europe taken by my classmates (mostly random shots I am not in). I was in a few photos, looking awkward…
That’s me all the way on the left, in Barcelona, having the time of my life. Not. Seriously, I am not anti-social or shy, but I did not really connect with anyone in college. Not in that “best girlfriend” sort of way. You can tell by how I am sitting with these people that I felt like I didn’t belong. Awkward…
This whiny posts makes me sound like I had a sad weekend. I didn’t. It was quite nice! I just wanted to share these two thoughts.
Themocracy
I think you should at least buy two pair of shorts. You can always work towards losing the weight. I think you look amazing.
Maybe buy a few pair of shorts that fit currently, and keep working to fit into the smaller pairs. I have a range of sizes in shorts because I was bigger in college around the legs and now I am smaller. It has taken years to get back to the size I was pre-college but it was worth it. just take it a week at a time and maybe set small goals for each month and work from there.
I agree with others about buying a few new pairs that fit you now and then continuing to work to lose weight to fit the others. You look really close in that photo!
Ha ha. That was the most decent photo. There was a funny one with my gut sticking out with the zipper down… but I think it would have been inappropriate to post.
Honestly? Based on the pictures, you’re 5lbs away from fitting on those shorts. One trick I use? Wear them in the house — it stretches them out a lot (like jeans) and they might be decent after that.
Said that, I need to lose weight but I finally caved and got some jeans bermuda shorts at Old Navy (go a size down because they vanity size it like crazy! My usual size fit when it was new, within a day I could take it off without unbuttoning it, since it stretched too).
(ETA: These are the ones I got — good for us thick thigh folks…) http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=68348&vid=1&pid=897829&scid=897829002)
Thanks for the link! I would like to try those! I wonder if I need something that hits higher above my knee. I should check out Old Navy.
I don’t think it’s you but probably the cut of the shorts. So my suggestion is to take a friend and go short shopping one day. I know it will suck and you might have to indulge in cocktails at lunch to get through it, oh wait that’s me but in the end it’s the shorts not you.
I will go short shopping with you! Let’s make Erin help us! I seriously hate shorts, but I need some 🙁
Buy a few new pairs and keep those around – you are almost in them! Or maybe that style just doesn’t work for you? I don’t think I could wear them because my legs are muscular. Or fat. Whatever.
Who needs Barcelona when you have le me! Haha, just kidding!
Let’s go to Barcelona!
You are in great shape right now! You have been working hard and it shows. Buy a couple of pairs of new shorts and flaunt it! I think the best thing to do with pants and shorts is to find a place where the cut and sizing works for you and just buy everything there. Ever since I started doing that the shopping experience has been much less painful.
You know, regarding the “not connecting with anyone in college,” I have to say, you have always seemed really, really mature to me for someone in her twenties. Like I always feel like I am communicating with a girlfriend my own age when I talk to you. (And I’m not putting down people in their twenties; I have friends of all ages who are at different places in their lives). You are really focused in your work and your running and your blogging, in a stable relationship, and not a partier (although I know you can be super goofy). So maybe you were just in a different place from the other women in college, and now you have found some more like minded people.
Aww, thanks for saying that. 🙂
I think those capris look good on you! Although as much as I love warm weather, I hate dressing myself this time of year. Shorts and capris are so awkward. It really is hard to find a flattering style. I’ve had shopping trips where I have tried on tons of pairs and not found any that worked for me. Which is why I love skirts and dresses, and that’s almost all I wear this time of year (although I’ll wear pants to work).
Yeah, I am ALL about skirts and dresses lately. I have not worn pants to work in a long time though!
I’m a capri fan and live in two pairs of them over the summer, so with that in mind, I think your capris are pretty great.
Like other people, I think you should get 1-2 pairs of shorts that you like and that feel comfortable on you. You’re looking good, and you are so active!
Just buy new shorts. I like the bermuda length. I don’t wear shorts all that often, and flat out refused until last summer, so it’s nice to have a few pairs.
Oh, everybody said what I was going to say. 🙂 I ran into this dilemma last fall with jeans. I ended up buying two extra pairs in my size at the time…6 months later I am still that size (but finally making progress!). I say that not to discourage you, but only because I found trying to force myself to get to a smaller size only brought frustration and disappointment. I was looking at dresses for P’s brother’s wedding this summer and decided that I would be best off waiting until it gets closer so that I can ensure the best possible fit in something I really like!
Yeah, buying something smaller has never worked for me! And honestly, I bet these only fit a little better when I first got them. I have never been skinny enough!
I just don’t want to shop for shorts, lol!
I personally hate the way I look in (non-running) shorts so I basically avoid them. I feel like they amplify my thighs and any style that “floats away” is way too short for my comfort level. So…I own one pair of “dressy” shorts and try to stock my summer closet with casual cotton skirts and sundresses. It takes a while to find those items too but at least my self-esteem stays relatively intact in the process!
I say find a couple other pairs of shorts and keep working on the ones you have (IF you want to). I’m a big proponent of donating things that don’t make me feel good about myself…especially if they have been hanging around for a while. Maybe it sounds a little stupid/crazy but it’s amazing the emotional burden seemingly benign items can put on us at times.
Oh yeah, I totally know about that emotional burden. I got rid of a bunch of my too big stuff in Winter 2011 and it felt so good!
Don’t worry about the shorts! I don’t wear them, period and gave up trying to find ones I like years ago. Maybe once I get to my goal weight wearing shorts will be a goal.
I think you should take that picture and use it to reflect on how far you’ve come! Look at the picture from Saturday!!! You’re confident, smiling and living in the moment with girlfriends!!! 🙂
If you really want shorts, buy them in the size that you are when it’s actually warm enough to wear them all the time. Pairing your wardrobe with a weight loss goal is kind of tough. Personally though, I love capris and skirts in the summer so much more than shorts, but it’s because my thighs will never go away, so I can hide them more easily.
And I didn’t really connect in college either, so it’s not just you! I lived at home, always took a full load of honors classes and worked 2 jobs through most of college, so I just didn’t have the time or many opportunities for it.
stupid shorts, they get me everytime. you put them on and just think DEAR GOD why do i look like this in these?
I like the capris! I tend to stick to capris too!
I would go buy new shorts that fit and flatter! You want to feel good in the clothes you wear not let the clothes wear you. Try old navy. I like their 5 inch shorts but sometimes I do have to go a size up because of my thighs.
Thanks for the recommendation! Esp. about the thighs! Ha ha.
From a male perspective, there are shorts issues each summer. Normally it’s due to both a bit expanding waist line and the shorts have been washed a few times the summer before. This year, with my gym activity, I tried on 3 pairs from last summer and they all still fit. So there is hope at least on this shorts front.
I like the capris. My wife wears them a lot and they work on several levels for her.
Maybe buy one pair of shorts once it warms up even more (so you know they’ll fit, esp if you lose some weight.) Maybe get a cheaper pair at Old Navy, I just got some there. then you’ll have a pair that you know fit and if you lose weight you can buy some more in the appropriate size.
I personally have always hated shorts and . I don’t think I owned any (non-running/workout) until our trips to Florida these past couple years. I had a horrible time finding ones I liked but once I found a pair, I stuck with them. I would maybe buy a new pair or 2. Its nice to have a pair that fits comfortably for the chance that you may want to wear them.
don’t get me started on shorts. Just join me in wearing pants year round! YAY!
I hate shopping for shorts. I’m 13 lbs less than when I got pregnant but still wear my maternity shorts because they’re so comfy.
Donate those shorts and go buy ones that fit you now. You can still lose weight if you want but don’t have a negative be your motivator. It can only hurt you!
I agree with other people have said about dressing the body you have now, not the one you hope to have in a few months. Which means buying a few pairs of shorts that fit great now. And, yes, it will be painful (just like when I shop for jeans) but I will help! And then we will celebrate our success with a glass of wine!
Maybe wine before too? LOL
What is it with shorts that makes them so freaking hard to find? I never wear them because it’s just too much work finding a decent pair.
But I agree with the people who suggest buying shorts that fit you now. Trying to lose weight to fit into specific clothes is just too stressful.
I’m right there with you with my pants! I currently fit in my smallest pants, but I’m a few dinner rolls away from them not fitting. I really need to get back into the swing of eating right! I’m running more than ever & eating terrible!
I eat awful too, and run a lot. It’s a shame. I run so much stronger when I eat well!
I totally share this dilemma with you and I was just thinking to myself the other day – okay, do I put my nose to the grindstone and try to lose 10 pounds so my summer pants fit, or do I just go out and find some new ones that fit me as I am now? AAAARRRRGGGGG!
I have such a hard time with shorts too. Most of the shorts out there are in 1 of 2 length options. Way too short (are we all hoochies now?) or way too long. Running shorts are a good length, why can’t companies make normal shorts that same length? I have about 4 pairs of shorts, none of which I actually wear. I think that means its time to get rid of them…
Those capris look nice on you! I’d say stick with what works. I honestly don’t even know where I’d go to buy a decent pair of shorts.
LOL. I know some girls who wear the hoochie shorts. Those are so so so… hoochie. You said it! Hee hee. I will let you know if I find decent shorts anywhere 🙂
Why are shorts such an awkward thing? They’re like…short pants, but somehow worse. I think I’m going to be wearing lots of dresses and skirts this summer because I’m old enough that I don’t feel weird (???), and I have to make a good impression on Korea. Shorts crisis: averted!
I’m not sure if this is the same thing you’re describing, but I feel like I didn’t have as much fun as I was supposed to in college. Like, people look back on it with such fond memories–as the happiest time of their lives–but I don’t really think that way. And that makes me sad.
YES! That is exactly how I feel about college. I was so serious and in to my school work. But I have awesome friends now. So maybe the fun started for me afterward?
I know I’m late to the party here, but I agree with everyone else – I say get 1-2 pairs of shorts that are super comfortable size-wise. It’s fine if they aren’t an expensive purchase (Old Navy’s shorts seem surprisingly well made compared to some of their other items).
Speaking from my own experience, I struggled with shorts for a long time, because I used to look cute in tiny little ones, but that doesn’t work any more. I felt terrible about myself and how I was a giant fatty for quite a while and then I broke, went to WalMart (which is a feat in itself for me) and bought a pair of ‘wide’ shorts. Overall, they looked much better because I wasn’t a sausage and it came across that I felt better. I felt WAY better. I was able to forget about how physically terrible I felt about myself and just sort of get on with living life. Now, I can take those shorts off without unbuttoning them (and are falling apart because they were $4 at WalMart and I wore the heck out of them!) but I still wear them because they make me feel so much more comfortable.
On capris, I’m a fan, mainly because they serve the dual purpose of keeping things (thighs) under control and keeping my legs off of things (public transit seats, sticky chairs, etc). There are a bunch of situations where shorts are better and a bunch where shorts are.
I hope any of that made sense. I know it’s really rambley and long, but it’s a really good topic. I think you should be able to feel happy and comfortable, especially with all of the work that you put in (not only working out, but being vegan, etc)! You’ve definitely earned happiness.
I love your long comment 🙂 Also, I miss you! 🙂
You are right. I will feel better about me if I have shorts that fit. I am not very thin right now, but I have been having some fun dressing myself and that makes me feel good about me. So why not get shorts that fit.
I like your capris logic! I never thought about that!!!