I have a problem. A pants problem. Two pants problems, actually.
The first one involves jeans.
Three or four weeks ago, I decided I needed to shop for some new pants because I could see in the mirror that the (I’m going to be brave here and reveal my former size) 16s I was wearing were looking baggy. Also, I needed to wear a belt to hold them up.
“I need new jeans,” I told Mr. T, a sort of heads-up on the charge he’d be seeing in our bank account. “The ones I have won’t stay up anymore. It’s driving me crazy.”
Mr. T didn’t get it. “That’s a good problem to have.”
I shook my head, “Um, no. It’s not attractive.” A saggy crotch and a droopy bottom do not make me feel good about myself, not to mention the lovely shape a cinched belt creates with a post-baby waist line.
So, I went to Old Navy because I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money if I’m (hopefully) going to keep losing weight, even though if it doesn’t feel like the pounds are coming off very fast. In the dressing room, I did a little dance when I easily slid into a pair of 14s. So maybe I’m not losing a lot of weight, but I guess I’m losing inches. They were snug enough that I wouldn’t have to wear a belt all the time. I happily swiped my debit card through the machine and took home a pair of dark straight-leg 14s.
But a girl cannot live on one pair of jeans alone, especially if she increases her workdays from 2 to 3 per week. I found a pair I liked at Macy’s — Charter Club cheapies but they looked nice and were a size 12! Woohoo! Even though I know companies cut their patterns using their own interpretation of womens sizes, it still felt good when I put those on. Again, snug-fitting but not tight. No belt needed.
Fast forward a couple of weeks: Both pairs are too big. I have to hike them up constantly. It’s annoying, and I don’t want to fork over more money for jeans again. But I also refuse to wear a belt.
Maybe while I’m looking for more new jeans, I will finally find some running pants/tights with freaking zipped pockets in them. Why cannot I not find these?
This morning I was about three miles in to a 4-miler when I decided I need to step up my search for cold-weather running pants. My Adidas capris are loose on me now. No, they don’t fall down, but the legs aren’t tight-fitting anymore, and so the fabric wrinkles between my thighs and chafes.
I’ve looked at REI and, at least at the stores I’ve been to, they haven’t had a lot of running gear to choose from. I’ve tried a couple of other places, too, and they’ve had pants, but none of them have ANY pockets. What the heck? What am I supposed to do with my phone?
Any advice or input you have on resolving my issues with pants — be it running-wear or where to find nice jeans for not a lot of money — would be greatly appreciated.
A little note to my Facebook friends and readers, who so nicely comment on my FB links: I recently discovered I had inadvertantly selected a setting here on Mom vs. Marathon that would only allow Blogger-users to comment. I fixed that setting, and now anyone may leave me a comment on Mom vs. Marathon…which I love to get here on the actual blog because I can go back and read them when I need a little inspiration. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
5 comments
Hi Kerrie–Congratulations on losing so many inches and being such an inspiration to many! I have found that the Ann Taylor Factory Store (I go to the Marysville outlet) jeans fit me the best. I tend to go a size smaller than normal (happy dance here…) and they are uniform and not too expensive. I also get the 'slim fit' and I am anywhere but slim! Good luck!Jamie
Yay for needing smaller jeans and pants! SEE?? All this running is paying off! Looking at the scale shouldn't be something to do, and looking at how your clothes are fitting is perfect. 🙂 So proud of you!Have you been to RoadRunner Sports? or even Target? I'm sure RoadRunner will have something that has zippers, but Target will have good cheap running gear. (I recently bought a Target sports bra for $17 and I'm impressed! Plus it's pink!). Another great place to go is Nordstrom Rack…you can find some swinging deals there (that's where I got most of my running tops).
Thanks for the kind words, you guys.@Jamie: Ooo, I love AT, and I love those outlets! I may have to make a trip up there soon…@Zoe: I haven't been to RoadRunner yet, and I hadn't thought to look at Target or the Rack, but now I will!
check out a SPI belt for the phone/keys whatever. I bought one ,doubtful of it's “non bouncing” claims, but that thing is amazing! Then you won't have to worry about pockets! It lloks tiny but even my blackberry, keys and a few GU's will fit into it
Heather, I am e-mailing you to find out what the SPI belt is!