How's That Working For You?

Well, we're now settled into the new year of 2010. It is a year of new hope and the beginning of a new decade that many of us are settling into nicely so far. Most of us have two different types of New Year's resolutions this year, as with any new year: the ones we stick to and the one's we already broke three weeks ago. A common New Year's resolution for a lot of people is to lose weight which is a great one to have. But how many of you out there have said you were going to do something for yourself only AFTER you've lost the weight? Well, to quote Dr. Phil, "How's that working for you?" Did you lose the weight but still put off pursuing your dream or goal for other reasons (eh hem...excuses)? Do you see your dreams and goals slipping away because you're still trying to lose the weight and don't see the progress you had hoped for by now? Honestly ask yourself if not losing the weight will really prevent you from achieving your goal or goals. If not, ask yourself why you're hiding behind your weight as an excuse for not going after your dreams. Below is a blog entry I wrote last May entitled "Putting Something Off for the Wrong Reason?" I think it's one worth repeating for this time of year, a time when we often reevaluate our New Year's resolutions and focus on our failures when we should instead be focusing on our successes and the hope of achieving our future goals. Enjoy!

May 29, 2009
One of the most common excuses I hear from people who are hesitant about improving their image is they want to lose weight first before going out and buying new clothes. First let me say, congratulations to those of you who have set that goal and are working hard toward it! Now, let me ask you a question: why should you have to wait to start looking and feeling good when you can start doing so right now? You are never too heavy to be fashionable.

I understand that you may have a fear that if you find clothes you like right now, you won’t be motivated to lose the weight. It’s actually quite the opposite however. When you start dressing your body better now, people will think you’ve already started to lose weight because wearing clothing that’s flattering to your current body type gives the illusion of looking thinner. Compliments and encouragement from others actually motivate you even more to lose the weight and you are therefore more successful at achieving your goal than if you were to put off dressing better. You might as well indulge yourself in the pleasure of shopping since you can’t indulge yourself with your favorite foods while on a diet and exercise program. And you can indulge in clothing without having to spend a lot of money.

Imagine it this way: if you had a painful injury that you had to wait three months for a surgery to heal it, and the doctor told you that there was an affordable medication that is safe and has no side effects you can take for the next three months to minimize your pain while you are waiting for the surgery, would you opt to take the medicine, or would you choose to walk around in pain everyday for three months? You would probably choose to take the medication.

You’re worth looking good right now! You don’t want to be passed up when the right opportunity comes along because you are putting your image and appearance on hold. Besides, looking your best has a tremendous positive effect on your human trinity (your mind, body, and soul) which will in turn attract others to you. You are already beautiful on the inside, so let it show on the outside!

There are two main things that you can start doing now to improve your appearance. First, wear clothes that fit you properly. You will look slimmer if you wear clothes that fit than if you wear clothes that are too big or too small for you. If you already have some great clothes that just need to be slightly altered for a perfect fit, then invest the money to have that done. Tailoring what you already have is often less expensive than buying an entire new wardrobe. Not only will you look slimmer, your clothes will also look more expensive! Wearing ill-fitting clothes is one of the biggest fashion offenses that occur today. Men tend to wear clothes that are too big, and women tend to wear clothes that are too tight or too small. Either mistake will make you look heavier than you are. Philip Dormer Stanhope was noted for saying, “His clothes fit him so ill, and constrain him so much, that he seems rather their prisoner than their proprietor.” Wear what flatters and works with your body, not what you wish you look good in.

Second, wear clothing that is age appropriate. Wearing clothing that is too young for you will make you look just as old as wearing clothing that is too mature for you. On that same note, wearing clothing that is out-of-date will also age you. You need to wear up-to-date styles and fashions without giving in to the latest fads. There is a difference between fads, trends, and fashions. It is smart to mix a few modern trends with some timeless classics. Getting stuck in a time warp is another common mistake I see among the fashionably challenged. Wearing the same clothes and styles that you wore ten years ago in college will not make you look like you are twenty years old again. Instead, it will make you look ten years older than you actually are (or if you’re a musician you’ll look like you’re still in a garage band)! It’s time to throw out those clothes and hire an image consultant who will help you find the look you need that compliments your current life roles and career goals while still reflecting your personality and interests.

By following these tips you will start to see yourself in a new light and in turn, so will others. The results will make you feel like a million bucks and will give you the motivation and the power to go after your dreams!