What Size Am I, Really?

by Angel Lynn Diamond | More from this Blogger

12 May 2009 05:58 PM

My mind went through horrendous confusion today while thinking about this. I was trying to figure out what size I really was and what size I used to be. I came to the conclusion that I used to be a size 2 back in the early 90s if I were to buy my clothes today. I first discovered this when I lost a great deal of weight a couple of years ago. I had my "skinny" jeans from the early 90s in my closet. Yes, I saved them. It was the skinniest time in my life and I wanted to remember it. Well, the size of these jeans was the same size that I was in at that time. Of course, I had to try them on. To my surprise, they were much smaller. I was in shock. This is when I first heard of vanity sizing.

Vanity sizing is when the manufacturers try to trick us into believing that we are smaller than we actually are. They are making clothes bigger these days, but putting a smaller size on them so that women feel good about themselves. I do not think that men have had to experience this brainwashing tactic. Probably because most men do not have to diet for half of their lives to feel good about themselves.

I decided to do away with these jeans. They had to put to death because they were a constant reminder of what I used to be and cannot fathom myself ever being again. Too much sadness for me. I brought them to my skinnier niece. She was a size 6 at that time. Excitedly, she tried on the jeans. She cried out of the bedroom, "I can't even get my leg in these things. You were so skinny!" She was upset and shook her head in disbelief. Then she started talking about how fat she was and that she should lose weight. Women are so critical of themselves. We are our own worst enemy, I think. She said, "I will bring these jeans to my anorexic friend."

Vanity sizing is a good thing in a way. It stops those from dieting to the extreme so that they do not starve themselves. It makes us feel good anyway. On the other end of the spectrum some might argue that vanity sizing is a problem because more people are overweight. You never really know what size you are. In one store you may be a size 2 and in another you may be a size 6. You are really have to try everything on to be sure before you buy it. Do you feel good about your body? That is the important thing. Size is irrelevant. If you have a clean bill of health from your doctor, eat right, and exercise then do not worry about it. These are the truly important things that count, not a number on a tag.

Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health

Learn more about Angel Lynn Diamond

I am a mom to my precious one and only, a nurse in a heartwarming adult living facility, and a freelance writer.

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