What do you think of these jackets at Old Navy? Which one would you like on a man most? Me personally? I like the Flannel Lined Bomber Jacket (very bottom row-last on right). It is Out of Stock for my size. They didn't have it available in store last I checked either. Second favorite is the Wool-Blend Military Jacket (top row-last on right). And in third are the Men's Wool-Bloned Military Coats (sixth row-charcoal, maybe?).

You can recommend other winter jackets, too. Not just these. But tell me what you think about these, too. Also, if you have some fitting advice, I'd appreciate that, too. I tried on a medium for a jacket that is not listed there, and it fit surprisingly. I think Large is a tad bit loose. I'm much better at knowing what is the right fit with shirts, but not jackets.

Here is Old Navy's measuring chart. I'm 16 neck, 33 sleeve, and 42 chest. That would indicate a Medium... but you also have to have a feel for it. I'm 5'10 and weigh 198 pounds. I would think most guys would wear a large with that height and weight. I lost a lot of weight over the past two years, so I guess this is just hard to believe I could possibly fit into a medium.

I like the wool coats the best. The peacoat, military and top coat. I prefer men's jackets to be simpler without too much detailing. I find it a more masculine look. The puffer jackets are good for casual wear but the wool ones are more versatile.

You should have enough room to add a layer or two under the coat and still have full range of motion unhampered.

Having just lost weight, you might not be happy with what a bomber does to you. My husband is 5'9", and 135 pounds... and HE looks like he could stand to lose a little weight in a bomber. I recently talked him into a much more structured leather jacket, and it looks so much better on him. I know what you mean about sizing though - technically my husband is a medium too, but he wears a small just as often. You really need to try things on & go with the size that fits best, ESPECIALLY when you're near the cutoff from one size to another.

As far as the jackets you listed, I like the peacoat best. My son is running around in my father's old Navy peacoat right now, (yes, the real-deal from the Vietnam era) and even though he's a skinny little stick he looks GREAT in it! It hangs well, sheds water well, is warm enough for early-winter yet breathes enough for chilly summer nights, and has literally lasted through wartime onboard a ship, as well as teenage dodgeball battles on the church lawn while still looking brand new. It looks equally good with his Sunday-dress clothes AND with his jeans & flannel shirts. I only wish I could find a coat so versatile for myself!

If you're looking for something with a different look, the wool-blend military has a slightly more "youthful" look but a similar cut. That would be my second choice - though I'm not sure if all those pockets are a great idea... still learning the rules myself.

quote:

Originally posted by cheryleb99:
I like the wool coats the best. The peacoat, military and top coat. I prefer men's jackets to be simpler without too much detailing. I find it a more masculine look.

Thanks. So both you and homeschoolmama like the Peacoat the most. That's probably what I'll be leaning towards, then. It doesn't have to be these jackets, but Old Navy is where I like to shop. The coupons come in handy. And right now they have 30% Stuff And Save.

quote:

Originally posted by homeschoolmama22:
Having just lost weight, you might not be happy with what a bomber does to you. My husband is 5'9", and 135 pounds... and HE looks like he could stand to lose a little weight in a bomber.

As far as the jackets you listed, I like the peacoat best.

If you're looking for something with a different look, the wool-blend military has a slightly more "youthful" look but a similar cut. That would be my second choice - though I'm not sure if all those pockets are a great idea... still learning the rules myself.

How does your husband keep such a healthy weight? Genetics or does he eat really well, but foods that are very low in calories? Like those people on the calorie restrictive diet. Because my goal weight right now is around 170. We'll see what happens once I can get down that far. That will be quite a battle. Just getting down to 190 will be a battle.

So you also like the Peacoat. Hmm. It just seems like such a sophisticated look. The bomber and the coat on top right had a more edgier look. But you're right, that bomber might make you one look bigger. I would also be interested in hearing the rules on pockets. Thank you.

Nocturnal - it comes from skinny-genes. I cook everything from scratch, and it's calorie-dense food... but high in nutrition. He actually consumes between 2200-2400 calories in a day but it's all lean, nutrient-dense foods.

I'm on my way down to 115 from 215. The first 10 pounds are the hardest. Watch what you eat, start an exercise routine, and be diligent. Remember though... you can actually eat too LITTLE which will force your body to retain fat as a defense-mechanism. Especially if you're active, this is easier to do than you'd think!

I would suggest if you are trying to manage your weight that you use a food tracker and set a goal. I use fitday.com. It is free and allows you to enter custom foods. My partner uses it and says just the fact that he is tracking his food makes him think about whether he wants to eat certain foods.

quote:

Originally posted by homeschoolmama22:
Nocturnal - it comes from skinny-genes. I cook everything from scratch, and it's calorie-dense food... but high in nutrition. He actually consumes between 2200-2400 calories in a day but it's all lean, nutrient-dense foods.

I'm on my way down to 115 from 215. The first 10 pounds are the hardest. Watch what you eat, start an exercise routine, and be diligent. Remember though... you can actually eat too LITTLE which will force your body to retain fat as a defense-mechanism. Especially if you're active, this is easier to do than you'd think!

homeschoolmama, your husband is blessed to be able to eat up to 2400 calories! I figured he was eating no more than 1800 calories. Calorie restrictive diet is around 1600-1800 calories.

Ya, I've lost over 100 pounds so I feel quite confident I know what I'm doing now. Something that is hard to get myself to do regulary is strength train. I've got the nutrition and aerobic exercises (walking low intensity, long duration) down... but strength is tough. It's probably because I enjoy going out for walks, but not doing exercise indoors.

About eating too little, good reminder. I know. It is funny how easy that is to do, you are right. Once you are in the zone and eating right that can happen. Not that I ever overate. I just used to eat foods high in calories, as I'm sure you did. Congratulations on getting down to 115! That is pretty amazing. You lost nearly half your body weight! Dr. Oz puts people on his show who do that!

quote:

Originally posted by cheryleb99:
I would suggest if you are trying to manage your weight that you use a food tracker and set a goal. I use fitday.com. It is free and allows you to enter custom foods. My partner uses it and says just the fact that he is tracking his food makes him think about whether he wants to eat certain foods.

Thanks for the website recommendation. I'll check it out. I've been pretty satisfied with realage.com. That seems to give me all the info I need.

Oh gosh, I haven't lost it all yet! I'm still losing, and have quite a ways to go... my goal is to be at my target-weight by Christmas NEXT year.

My husband & kids all "suffer" from an incredibly high metabolism. It seems like a blessing, but when you lose 10 pounds from a 3-day fever, it's not quite so great. I hear the terms "anorexic" and "starving your kids" an awful lot because they're all SO skinny - yet they eat constantly.

Losing 100 pounds is absolutely amazing! I've got the opposite problem - strength training is second nature for me after 22 years of physical therapy, but it's the aerobics I've got to fight to "remember!" I've had good luck lately though with the Wii Fit, chasing our dog, the kids, and a dozen preschoolers around for exercise.

Definitely go with the peacoat. That is the best looking one and will go with type/style of clothing.

Reading about you losing weight. I know you said you were happy with realage.com but I just wanted to recommend sparkpeople.com. That is the one I'm using. Check it out if you haven't and see all the stuff they offer.

HSM, have you had your kid's thyroids checked? It sounds to me like they might be off if they lose that much in a week, and are that thin...even if it checks out ok, you might want them to check for 'Hashimoto's Thyroiditis' a uncommon condition that does not show up in standard thyroid tests. A too fast metabolism can lead to a wide range of health problems and can be really dangerous. I know sometimes kids go thru growth spurts and get skinny, but I honestly would have them checked ASAP.

Laurie - the kids are fine. DH & I both have an extremely rare genetic disorder, that among other things causes extremely high metabolisms & ridiculously skinny people. Think Cirque du Soleil's contortionists; that's what we've got. I'm only as large as I am because pregnancy apparently "messes" with the entire system - some things got better, while other parts of me have completely fallen apart. I weighed 102# soaking-wet, the day we were married!

HSM, Im really glad to hear that they're ok...I was just worried they may have unchecked problems...mine has been going thru the roof- the wrong way Almost every day Ive been gaining weight and dr doesnt want to recheck again for another 3 weeks! Since its been goofed up this summer, Ive gained about 30 lbs, and I was heavy before it screwed up! They've readjusted my dosage twice, and my weight just keeps climbing..aagghhh...

I'm in full agreement with everyone, so I'll add mine to the near-unanimous vote. The peacoat looks the best, and puffy jackets don't do justice to a newly-revealed figure.

Oh, and by the way, don't give me too much credit for being a tailor's granddaughter. I might be able to pick out details of poor craftsmanship--but I do the same thing with badly laid tile! As far as style, I'm learning with the best of 'em.

HSM and Laurie--THANK YOU for bringing up an issue that might be the answer to a question I was debating on asking!! It literally hurts if I don't eat every 2-3 hours. As soon as I get health insurance, I will ask my doctor about a possibility other than thyroid problems, ulcers or a tapeworm "pet". I'll be glad if that's just the way my body naturally works...

LC, PLEASE dont wait on seeing a Dr. Many (but not all) major hospitals take federal money from 'The Hill-Burton Act' and if they do, they cannot turn anyone away, even if they lack insurance. Im no dr, but I would guess ulcers very well may be the problem, but if left untreated it could get a lot worse and take much longer to correct. Are your st**ls normal? Are you naturally this thin and pale, or is it getting more noticeable? Not that you arent gorgeous!! (I think you are beautiful btw)...Does any part of your stomach hurt when you put pressure on it? Do you feel rundown at all? If yes to any of these questions, please call around and get seen, most hospitals have some type of walk in clinic, but be sure and check if they take HB money, so you arent turned away (found that out when I busted up my ankle bad and needed surgery but had no insurance at all.) Good luck and please keep us posted on your health as well as your great outfits!

Laurie, thank you! Both for the compliments and for the health suggestions. I'm going to find out more about the HBA, as well as call around. In the past, my physician has been really good with giving me a discount for paying cash. My fiance files as head of household, and he makes too much money (on paper!) for me to qualify for most programs. But I'll check anyway.

I'm mostly normal. I just quit my (physically demanding) job as a package sorter. The job might have a lot to do with the weight loss and feeling run-down. People have commented that I look thinner than usual. I eat more and have more muscle, but that doesn't necessarily explain the pain. I normally consume very little alcohol (except for yesterday, lol). I'll be glad if that's just a natural hunger response. It sure doesn't feel like it, though. This is new to me.

Thank you again! I will try to find something very, very soon. If anything, I'll bring in my last pay stub and try what I can get, since the customers are taking their time with paying. Our income is currently in A/R and promises, lol!

quote:

Originally posted by homeschoolmama22:
Oh gosh, I haven't lost it all yet! I'm still losing, and have quite a ways to go... my goal is to be at my target-weight by Christmas NEXT year.

Losing 100 pounds is absolutely amazing! I've got the opposite problem - strength training is second nature for me after 22 years of physical therapy, but it's the aerobics I've got to fight to "remember!"

Sorry about that, homeschool! I misread your post, and thought you had lost it all. That is something else how we have opposite problems. I find it easy to just walk out the door and start walking. Although lately I drive to the park and go. I get bored with walking around here. I have to vary it up. It's still much easier to do than in home strength training. I do not like the gym. I do push-ups, though. I'm good with those and sometimes an ab workout. But not much else. I might get a pull-up bar.

quote:

Originally posted by Laurie:
LC, PLEASE dont wait on seeing a Dr. Many (but not all) major hospitals take federal money from 'The Hill-Burton Act' and if they do, they cannot turn anyone away, even if they lack insurance.

Oh yes they can! If it is an emergency, they have to treat you. But if you have cancer, forget it. They will treat minor ailments like colds, but not expensive ones like cancer treatment. You have to see a doctor for that. With LastCaress's problems, she will need to see a doctor. The only way she could use the hospital is if she were to wake up one morning in extreme pain and has to go to the emergency room (god forbid that should happen). For many sick people, this would often be too late. This is one of the reasons why our healthcare system is in shambles. People are dying needlessly, and the sick have been forgotten.

Nocturnal, while it is true that any hospital must take you in case of an life-threatening emergency, most will turn you away if you need surgery *like mine* (badly broken ankle) and lack insurance. However, if a hospital has a walk in clinic AND takes HBA money, they do need to examine you and give you treatment/tests. NOT ongoing, true, but to find out what is wrong. They encourage you to apply for social services and make you sign up for a payment plan (mine is $25 a month, since Im on SSD)and you MUST or they wont do ongoing treatment, but the majority of hospitals dont take HBA...which is why you need to call around first...a dear friend of ours passed away last month after heart surgery and another is dying from inoperable cancer- both diagnosed at the same hospital (HCMC) in Mpls- neither had insurance and both were treated there...

PS- I totally agree its horrible about the state of health care..I dont know about other states, but thats how HBA is run in Mn...I think theres only a few hospitals in the state that accept it...

LC, another thing to look into is see if there are any medical clinics in your area that base their charges on a sliding fees scale, according to your income. Some of the lower income areas have that in Mpls (not sure where you live) or look for any free clinics (although most just send you elsewhere, in my experience)....

Just for the record - Hashimoto's thyroiditis doesn't speed up your metabolism. Quite the contrary. It slows it down. If you have it, you are likely to gain weight. ( I should know - I have it.) You have to take thyroid medication to supplement what your body isn't making.

LC - you might want to call urgent care centers as well. I know my older son has found that they have different rates and some offer discounts if you're paying cash.

Anners, you are quite right about HT- I had heard my cousin was very sick (in the hospital)with it and last time I had seen her she was bone-thin (last year) and not feeling well. I should'nt have used that term, Im sorry. But I do know that overactive thyroids can cause some severe health problems while underactive ones, while their problems can be serious, are less life-threatening than untreated hyperthyroidism..ps- I have hypothyroidism myself and been on meds for 30 yrs...it still is 'off' and I keep gaining, nearly daily Next recheck 2 weeks away (sigh)