English: Winged Nike of Samothrace. Parian marble, ca. 190 BC? Found in Samothrace in 1863.
Français : La Victoire de Samothrace. Marbre de Paros, vers 190 av. J.-C. ? Provenance : Samothrace, 1863.
Dimensions H. 3.28 m (10 ft. 9 in.)
Current location Louvre Museum, Department of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Denon, first floor, Daru stairs


I booked a vacation on a Sunday night for departure on a Tuesday. My city has snow on the ground, and I was going to the Caribbean. When I pulled my khakis out of the closet that fit me in October, they were too big. Since I am only 5 feet tall, buying pants is an adventure and almost always involves alterations because even women’s petites are cut for women 5’2”.

I went to a department store where the sales people still work on commission because that is where I get the most help. I am challenged by fashion and this changing body makes it an even bigger challenge. In fact I went to the same sales woman who sold me the pants in my older blog, The Scary Jeans.

In some of the clothes I chose – including a pair of pants – I needed a size extra-large (no number with the X). This salesperson went above and beyond the call of duty and continually went to another floor to get the smaller size from the “normal women” instead of the plus women section.

Some of the clothes were 1x, but none are 2x. When I started my journey I could not fit into a 3x at this store. I had to stop shopping there.

This woman is particularly good, as she located all pants that are “ankle pants” so I did not need to get them altered before my trip. Also, they look fantastic. I got 2 pairs of pants and 2 tops.

One issue I had was I forgot to try on my bathing suit (what was I thinking) and the first day I wore it, the bottom felt really loose. I thought maybe I would be okay because once I went swimming it would become clingy. I went back to my room and put a pair of shorts on to hold up the bottoms. They fell off while I was in the lobby and the only reason I wasn’t naked was because the shorts stayed up. I ended up tossing the swim bottoms and just wearing the shorts. The top still fits and I was able to get new bottoms (2 sizes smaller) this week. I’m travelling in March and April and will need the swimming suit on both trips.

Last year at this time, the bathing suit bottoms could barely stay up because they were too small.

I had a great time and enjoyed a day on an island in the sun and 2 days sitting pool side and reading. I traveled with my adult daughter and my grandson.

In the past I could not have travelled with my daughter. My own unhappiness with my appearance (and the stress my food addiction caused) made me difficult to be around. I am like someone who has had a reprieve from prison. I now look on each day as a new opportunity. I have goals I am working toward, and I am no longer at war with myself. I have good habits that I do my best to practice every day and each day of practice makes it easier to meet my nutrition and fitness goals.

I truly believe that one of the reasons I am having so much success has been the support and friendships I find on Spark People. When my “scale was stuck” last month, the encouragement and voices of experience were what kept me on track.

Thanks to everyone for all the support and encouragement. I am thanking you each time I zip up those new pants!