Keep the pants that fit, toss or donate the rest.

You’ll feel better.

Have fun shopping for new favourite pants.

Good job on quitting smoking.

Fluctuating weight is frustrating and expensive. I know the accepted wisdom is to get rid of the items that don't fit, but I don't do that. I pull them from my closet and store them in a separate space, assuming they are a style that is relatively timeless.

I commend you on remaining smoke-free. The effect of the weight gain on your health isn't the best thing, but it's less harmful than smoking, so stay strong and don't smoke!!!

This is something we all struggle with.

My first thought too was to get rid of what no longer fits.

But…you say they are your favorites. Keeping them can be an incentive.

Put them in the back of far corner to make room.

Go shopping for clothing that you can feel good in now.

Congrats, Karen on quitting smoking. That’s fantastic.

I heartily second what Eld urged: Gomshopping for clothing that you can feel good in now.

Gomshopping and get the best. {{{{{{Karen}}}}}}

Like Fun2B, I would keep the favorites and agree with Eld61 that they can be an incentive but only if you feel you would like to get back in them at some point and would be willing to work toward that - if not then definitely let them go. If you want to lose and recently stopped smoking it would be helpful to wait and work on healthy dietary changes first such as nutrition improvements etc. rather than focusing on weight loss. Then when ready maybe hang a favorite item in the kitchen as the incentive! Good luck!

Gomshopping? What is that? Google can't tell me.

It’s a typo where the ”m” was hit instead of the space bar when typing ”go shopping”.

Haha, I just corrected. But maybe Gomshopping can beour new thing!

I'll throw in a curveball: Shopping sucks. Can't find anything I like in a shape that fits me, regardless of the size.

I recommend keeping your favourites, but not in the closet where you see them every day. Maybe put them in a container under your bed, or in storage container in your linen closet. Then, when you succeed in losing some weight, you'll be able to pull them out. When that time comes and you pull them out - if you no longer like them, you can donate or recycle them.

Congrats on quitting smoking!!

I have a "barrel" up in the attic where I keep some favorite "aspirational" clothing I hope to get into again in the future.