How exactly do you know when it is time to break down and buy a new pair o' pants a size larger?

When you have to lay down on the bed to zip them and then have to walk straight legged for the next hour while they stretch. Or when your love handles can be tucked into the pockets. Then it’s time for a larger size.

WHen they are too uncomfortable. WHen it’s always a struggle to snap the snap or button the button or whatever. Judge by comfort, and don’t be seduced by the false god of crash diets. They don’t work. They don’t last. They leave you worse off than before. Rather, make a long term commitment to lose a pound or two each year.

@chyna Love handles tucked into pockets? Oh man, so gross.

When it takes a safety pin to fasten the top because the button doesn’t work. When a shirt or blazer needs to cover the zipper that doesn’t close, or god forbid, is broken due to stress.

I haven’t gone the crash diet route, but I did smuggle a pair of my partner’s jeans back home from the last time we were together. My goal is to be able to lose enough weight to wear them comfortably.

When the muffin top appears. Buy a new pair for the time being while you work on healthily losing some weight to fit back into them

Camel toe and/or muffin top.

When I look in the mirror and see the crotch is stretched across. When the pants push the tummy up, instead of in. When the pants make walking uncomfortable.

…when someone can tell you the year of the coins in your pocket.

When I have to unbutton them after eating a regular meal. By regular, I mean not Thanksgiving or the like.

When I can’t both breathe and live.

When you start dreading putting on your pants in the morning.