Cleaning out the Closets

With the cooler fall temps there are TONS of fun things to do, but there are also a few mundane tasks that must be done. One of these is switching out of the seasonal clothing, from the closet, to storage. Taking stock of what you really need, and what you don't, getting rid of clothing I may no longer like, use, or fit into, and it usually involves trying some stuff on. 

I have forced myself to create rules {and follow them} for closet cleaning. I have a 3 second rule. If you are considering getting rid of something, you have 3 seconds to make the decision, keep it, toss it, or donate it. And you may NOT remove it from the said pile, once it's put there. I consider certain items of clothing exempt from the "If you haven't worn it in 1year, get rid of it." rule.  I almost never get really dressed up, unless someone gets married, dies, or the rare fancy event. We all know you can't wear the same outfit to all of those events, in the same year, so you need at least 3-5 dressy items in your closet. Right?  Well, we may not attend, 3-5 of those events every year, so things could go unworn for a few years.

This past couple of years I've gotten rid of a lot of clothing, because they are now too big. It's been a mixed bag of emotions, cleaning stuff out. I mean it is cool getting rid of stuff cuz it's too big, but sometimes it is sad cuz I have had to get rid of stuff I still really liked. I miss my leather jacket {a LOT} and haven't been able to find one that I like enough or could afford, to replace it with.  I had also amassed a pretty substantial hoodie collection. I LOVE hoodies!!! When you are fat for a long time, you can build a pretty sizable amount of clothing. It's gonna take some time to build that back up.

Back to the point. This past weekend, I took on the task of switching out summer clothes for winter clothes. By the time I had finished the task, I had come to the realization that I had a couple of issues. My jeans are tight!! One pair I had to force myself into, I mean hop up and down, tug, push, squish, and cram, myself into!!!  I also found myself wishing that I could wear my leggings out of the house, and that baggy clothing would become fashionable {not that I would consider myself all that fashionable} so my muffin top would not be noticeable!!!

After sitting there for a few depressing minutes, I decided that I could sit here staring into my closet, wishing for things that will never happen without some sort of action from me, OR I could get my chubby ass back to the gym!!! {If you've been following this blog for a while you know that I worked really hard to get ready for that 5k and in the process lost 40lbs.}  I'm not sure exactly what happened, I could tell you that life got busy, I got bored with running, I had no goal to work toward so I lost my motivation, or that my joints were killing me, and those things would all be true, but they would ALSO all be excuses for NOT getting to the gym.

I mean I have been getting some exercise, there's a lot of walking involved with going to motocross races. I've been on a 6mile hike with a friend,{scouting photo shoot locations}  I've been on a couple bike rides, I've been going to a Fit Camp on Monday's.  I've really only gained back about 5lbs. But I'm far from where I had hoped I would be by now!! And I certainly could NOT run a 5k right now.

   

It is time to get myself back to work. I still haven't found a new goal to work towards, except to keep working on my fitness, so when I do find a new goal, I'll be half way there. Does that make sense? Not to mention, the holiday season is about to be upon us, and I do LOVE to eat!! That will never change. So, if I intend to indulge in the awesome holiday food, I need to be hitting the gym, hard core!!  It really sucks that it is going to be a lot like starting ALL over from the beginning, but I have no one to blame but myself.  

I've taken stock of the things I really need, and what I don't, I've gotten rid of what I longer like, or can use, and what no longer fits.  The closets are officially cleaned out, physically and metaphorically speaking.

I am ready to face the new season, and I am determined.