Welcome back! Here we are at DAY TWO! If you recall from yesterday’s post, you’ll know that if I make it past this point, I’ll have surpassed almost all my attempts at diary-keeping and journaling. For me, this is a rather major milestone, and I feel a little proud of myself for sticking with it.
Embracing My Personal Style
Since we’re getting to know each other better, let me share something more personal: for most of my life, my wardrobe has been one of ill-fitting, bootcut blue jeans and plain t-shirts, always bought from Walmart with the intention of hiding my body. Shopping was never fun for me. I envied other plus-size women who seemed to enjoy the process, who loved their clothes and felt good wearing them. I’ll admit, I was relieved when I worked a job that allowed me to wear scrubs 90% of the time. Sure, they were oversized and not stylish, but at least I didn’t have to shop much. On the rare occasion when I did need new scrubs, I’d brace myself for disappointment—damn those inconsistent sizes between brands!
Everything changed when I started my new job and realized scrubs weren’t required. Suddenly, I had the freedom to wear whatever I wanted—and I decided to take advantage of that. Enter Torrid. (Yes, you read that right! Me, the plain dresser, exploring a clothing website known for bold, stylish options.) They were having an incredible online sale, and I found myself loving so many of the items they offered. Loving clothes? That was new for me! But I hesitated. I’ve always seen clothes I admired but convinced myself they wouldn’t suit my body.
You see, I was blessed with my grandma Maremy’s body type: round on top, big boobs, belly, and back, with no butt and legs that are shapely but completely disproportionate to the rest of me. Thank you, Maremy! Still, I decided to step out of my comfort zone. I had a bit of extra money from cashing in vacation time after quitting a job I loved at an employer I didn’t, and I figured—why not?
The Torrid Transformation
I picked out a complete outfit: skinny jeans (me, in skinny jeans? I swore I’d never wear them), a cute top that was nothing like my usual t-shirts, and even a pair of booties to complete the look. I “shopped the look” and guessed at my sizes: 3X for the top and 18 regular for the jeans (further proof of my oddly proportioned body). When the package arrived, I ripped into it, fully expecting to hang everything in the back of my closet and avoid the hassle of returning it. But then something surprising happened: I loved it all.
I put on the outfit, and for the first time in…ever, I felt good in my clothes. The skinny jeans didn’t make me look weird, and the somewhat fitted top didn’t make me feel like a sausage. Even Alexis—my brutally honest, no-filter child—gave me a compliment, and let me tell you, that’s not easy to get from her! From that moment on, I kept an eye on Torrid’s sales and built a partial wardrobe that made me feel like a new person. For the first time, I felt okay about my body. Sure, I still want to lose weight and get healthier, but for now, I’m giving myself grace. Feeling good about myself is important, too.
Finding Inspiration in Jessica
Another key to my body positivity journey has been Jessica, the queen of aggressive tutorials on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram reels. Her try-on videos and unapologetic honesty are inspiring. She’s funny, too, which is what drew me in, but it’s her openness that keeps me watching. If you haven’t seen her videos, you’re missing out!
Steps Toward Better Health
Speaking of self-improvement, let’s talk about my efforts toward better physical health. Today was a carb day! I treated myself to one slice of soft white bread with butter alongside my ham and pinto bean soup for dinner. I skipped carbs at breakfast and lunch, so maybe I overdid it a bit at dinner, but no regrets! My blood sugar stayed in range, even though I forgot my insulin this morning—take that, pancreas!
Making Exercise a Habit
And the dreaded exercise? It’s not feeling so dreaded anymore. Today, I actually looked forward to my walk with Odin, my true crime podcast, and my WalkFit app. We almost hit two miles! Odin, my mischievous mutt who thinks socks are snacks (Nike or Walmart, he’s not picky), has been better behaved these past few days. I think he’s enjoying the walks as much as I am. Every day brings me closer to making this routine a habit, and I’m feeling better—mentally and physically.
Wrapping Up Day Two
So here we are: one day closer to healthier habits, one day closer to confident self-love, and one day closer to making this blog a consistent part of my life. Thank you for reading, and I’ll see you all tomorrow!
Cheers,
Tara Ann
Disclaimer:
I want to take a moment to share how much I absolutely love Torrid, the WalkFit app, and Jessica from Applesauce and ADHD. Their products, services, and content have truly inspired and helped me along my journey. However, I want to clarify that I am not affiliated with or sponsored by any of them. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own, and I’m simply sharing these recommendations because they’ve genuinely been a positive part of my life.