The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[mellowmom]

okay... so today I've been hitting the stores, wandering aimlessly from aisle to aisle trying to find something that fits me. I feet like Goldilocks, sans the blond hair.

Even my shoe size has changed, so I actually bought a pair with little 2" heels... I never thought I'd buy heels ever again...combination of too much weight and too little balance at 334 pounds.

But back to the clothing shopping... I shop mainly at Walmart just because they're cheap and I don't want to invest in a good wardrobe at this point. Went to my usual "Women's Department" and could not find anything that fit. Everything they had in stock was too large! I thought my next stop was going to have to be at Goodwill or someplace like that to find something. Then it dawned on me...duh...get out of the "Women's Department" and move over to the "Ladies". Wow, what a concept...actually shopping in the "normal sized" section of the store.
Funny thing about that was that I felt kind of self-conscious in there, thinking "is everyone staring at me, because I certainly don't belong here". Maybe they'll think I'm a "spy" checking out the more stylish threads and then returning back to "my people" with tales of shapely blouses and nicely tailored suits...

Make a long story short (relatively speaking) I found a couple of tops and a pair of pants there. Granted they were 16-18's but still...six months ago I was a 32! Which brings me to the original topic... Foundation Garments?

I remember my mom wearing them when I was a child. Only I think she called them a Merry Widow. (Well, I'm a widow and I'm fairly merry) Maybe I should give it a try. I seem to be carrying a large amount of excess flabbage around my middle.. everything above the bustline is coming along nicely. (This morning I even saw...dare I say it....Clavicles!!)
But the middle section is all soft and gooshy. I swear I could probably fold it in two and tuck it somewhere if I had someplace to tuck it in to. So...what about those one piece foundations? Anyone tried them before... do they work, or just make it difficult/impossible to breathe? Inquiring minds and mellowmoms with deflating muffintops want to know?

Thanks.

--Carmel

[VictoriousNat]

You are cracking me up!! Take me to your people!! Bah ha ha
I am not sure about all the foundation garments. But there a lot of really comfy bodysuits out there that are not at all restricting. I wore a lovely, strapless one under my wedding dress and I could breathe and bend and kick etc. I am really into form fitting camisoles - that might work for you as well. Check out www dot brasmyth dot com.

[mellowmom]

...If captured I was required to give only my name, width and waist size!

[Sojourner]

OMG, you're both cracking me up!
And I love the "Bah ha ha," Nat.
Too funny...

[DogMa]

I've used the bodysuits before, too. I'm not sure if they're what you mean, but they're relatively comfy, I think. But not in summer - all the spandex and whatever make for a pretty sweaty time.

[PJinCali]

Hi Mellow,

I ordered 2 garments to test how they would fit and feel under my clothing. They are both by Avenue Body (I had a 40% off coupon) and they are FABULOUS!! The top goes over your bra and is like a tight tank top and the bottom goes from mid thigh to a little past the waist. They are both very light but hold everything in really well. They smooth out all the ripples and bulges so I can wear any kind of fabric and it looks great. I also have 3 pair of SPANX that go from mid thigh to above the waist and they are also great for holding everything in. The fabric on all of these fabrics is light and breathable so no sweat and they don't add a lot of bulk or hooks in the crotch like the kind our moms used to wear.

I ordered a size smaller than I needed because I have a goal dress I want to wear to a Halloween Party but that size fits me right now so I think you may need go a size lower than your clothes size for it to fit properly.

Hope this helps,

PJ

[DogMa]

I had heard raves about Spanx, but man, I found them uncomfortable. Plus they squeezed all the bulge out to my legs, so I looked deformed!!!

[PJinCali]

I think the SPANX run small. I bought some about 3 months ago and could not wear them. I can wear them now but they are not the same size as any of my clothing. They are 1-2 sizes larger (on the tag only not in reality) So mine are very comfortable. The Avenue Body garments are more comfortable because they do not have a waistband. They are using the same design that the Haynes tagless men's underwear use (my son wears those) they "waistband" is about 1 inch wide and made of the same fabric as the rest of the garment just doubled over. So you don't get any panty or bra line with them

PJ

[mellowmom]

Wow...thanks for all the great info. I know there is an Avenue store up in south San Jose, so I'll check it out tomorrow. I did find a 20% off coupon online...wish I knew where I could find that 40% coupon...but something is better than nothing...

I"ve heard of Spanx...but my worry with them is that they'll just squeeze everything up and I'll have this giant spare tire that runs above my waist and below my bustline..(high muffin tops).

I'll let you know how the great bodyshaper search goes.

Thanks again for all your comments and suggestions.

[TheShadow]

I have a couple of one piece numbers that are like a bra and girdle type deal combined. They have hooks or snaps in the crotch like a bodysuit and they are SNUG and made completely out of tough spandex with special "knitted in" panels that shape and mold you. Man I like the way they smooth out all the rolls when wearing a dress or clingy top. I wore them mainly before MF. Now that I'm getting way smaller, I will probably have to get a smaller one. They are not uncomfortable to me, and I like the way I have no lines from bra, panty, nylon waistband, etc and no rolls. I think I got mine at Mervyns.

[supermom]

I really like Spanx, but I agree----they do run a little small. I wear the one that goes down to my calves. It really helps with my back. The one I have fastens up under the bra and goes all the way down. I really like it!

[Arklahoma]

(This morning I even saw...dare I say it....Clavicles!!)

Hey, clavicles are totally HOT!!!