Originally Posted by odonnela:
Our bodies are so wierd - I was a size 26/28 at 326 lbs and am now 20/22 at 264 lbs depending on what brand it is. I weigh now basically what you did when you started, and I am the same height. And MsRatFink is a 22 at 278 lbs and is our same height - I was a 24 at that weight. When I get to your weight of 228 I hope I can fit in a 20.
So what it all boils down to is - look at how much you have lost not what size you are because as you can see from above, thats no indication of what you weigh and how much you have lost. I wouldn't care if I weighed 400 lbs if I could fit in a size 12.

Sizes are weird. I was 264 and is a 28. Now I am 202 and in 18. and I am VERY far from 16. Ii think it'll be 30 pounds until a size 16. I can't even pull them all the way up!

Originally Posted by HLS:
OK, I am willing to admit that I *should* have been wearing a size 26 at my starting weight of 259 pounds. But, I was squeezing into size 24 and absolutely refused to buy anything size 26.

Now, the dilemma. I have lost 31 pounds (currently at 228) and am wearing size 22. It just stinks that I have lost 31 pounds and have only gone down 1 size. My mind keeps whispering - yeah but you shoulda been wearing a 26 so it's really 2 sizes. But when I am looking at a mountain of size 24's that I used to be able to wear (tight as they were), all that goes out the window and I'm stuck with the fact that I am just now able to wear 22's and that means only 1 size down.

Ugghhhhh - I simply cannot WAIT until I get to a size 20. I'm making that a mini-goal. As a matter of fact, I am going to go buy a pair of size 20 pants tomorrow and try them on every week until they DO fit. Then I am going to burn the 22's. This may become a ritual. :devil:

I started out at a 26 myself. It took me only 10-15 pounds to get to a 24, but then I was in a 24 for a good 50 pounds. After that, it was 10-15 pounds to go down another size.

Stick with it, and congrats on the 31 pounds, that is awesome!

I am currently a 24.. but to make myself feel better I will usualy squeeze in to my 22 size jeans. Most are kind of stretchy so that they dont leave me with a muffin top. I have given up going to target or walmart for jeans and instead shop at Ross most of the time. I never thought I would be excited to someday fit into my size 20's again.

hello, i am new and ive been reading many posts of all kind but this one is interesting for me, because yes its true that the sizes change from brand to brand and yes i agree that the best is not to see the size just try the cloth and if it fits good , good , but what i do is listen to my husband (normaly he is there when i try ) so when its fits good and i love (and he goes crazy because he can imagine too how nice it will look with a few pounds less) whatever it is im trying (pants, dress, skirt, etc...) i buy one or two sizes smaller, this way its like a goal and prize at the same time.

Unless you are a size freakin' four or less clothes are just annoying!!!!!! HA!

I hear ya. Donate them. Oh to be in a size 14 I would be so excited to shop for a size 14.

:Welcome:

Originally Posted by gordis in paris:
whatever it is im trying (pants, dress, skirt, etc...) i buy one or two sizes smaller, this way its like a goal and prize at the same time.

I totally disagree about buying too small. I want to shop and get something I feel good in NOW, that I can go into my closet and pull things that I know fit and I feel good now, that is what motivates me daily.

Originally Posted by Purpleegg:
You all ought to check out this website My Body Gallery: (I haven't posted enough to put up a traditional link yet. Go to: my body gallery (dot) com!

It is ASTOUNDING how different people look at different clothing sizes! Might make you a little less concerned with the concept as well, tho I know it's difficult to ignore :hug:

Why have I never seen this before? Great site! Thanks!

Originally Posted by gordis in paris:
hello, i am new and ive been reading many posts of all kind but this one is interesting for me, because yes its true that the sizes change from brand to brand and yes i agree that the best is not to see the size just try the cloth and if it fits good , good , but what i do is listen to my husband (normaly he is there when i try ) so when its fits good and i love (and he goes crazy because he can imagine too how nice it will look with a few pounds less) whatever it is im trying (pants, dress, skirt, etc...) i buy one or two sizes smaller, this way its like a goal and prize at the same time.

Originally Posted by L144S:
:Welcome:



I totally disagree about buying too small. I want to shop and get something I feel good in NOW, that I can go into my closet and pull things that I know fit and I feel good now, that is what motivates me daily.

And I agree with you both! :D

I certainly like to buy clothes that fit me NOW. That always makes me feel great. But I also love to go to the thrift store and buy clothes that are too small. Then I try them on every Saturday until they fit and then I do a little happy dance! :dance:

sizes
 

I've generally heard, from several sources, that you lose 1 size for every 7 pounds... but since women's clothing is in two size increments it would make sense that if you were a 26 that 30 pounds later you'd be at a 22. Think of it this way, you were a really tight 24, and now you're a comfortable 22. When you lose the next 30 pounds you'll be at an 18 and slowly entering the "Misses sizes and able to shop the XLs instead of the 2XL 3XL sizes).
My suggestion, if you don't want to shop until you've gone down more, is to adjust your larger clothing. My mom lost some weight and found that skirts were easy to pinch in with a few stitches at the waist, and with pants she cut a small triangle out of the waist band and sewed it together to make a smaller waist. Shirts can be left a little baggy.
The bagginess might even make you feel pretty good about your loss. To think that clothes that were tight are now falling off might be very cathartic!!!

I'm very new to this site but wanted to add some input. I have been in a size 18 since high school. I have gone from weighing 220 to 270 and just about everywhere in between. I was even able to fit into my 18's (shortly) after I had my kids, even though with my second daughter, I was upwards of 260. I just don't get it... :?:

Originally Posted by rachwms:
Unless you are a size freakin' four or less clothes are just annoying!!!!!! HA!

I hate to break the news but clothes sizes are just as annoying when you're at the small end of the size range. One store's size four is another store's size 0, another store's size two, and still another store's size six. There is no consistency anywhere. It's just crazy.

I currently weigh 245 and am wearing the exact same size as I was at 285. :p Although I'm admittedly shrinking, my stomach hasn't budged enough to make a difference in what jeans I can wear, just in how they fit me.

Clothing sizes are so annoying!!! Not to mention whoever the designers are, they have no taste. Ok, so some stores have nice plus sizes.......others it looks like you're wearing a shower curtain (and no, not the pretty ones.).

That sounds frustrating but hang in there. We are here to support you!

;)

I just wanted to say..everyones different! AT my heaviest...about 315 i was in a size 24. Now, at 269 I'm in a size 18.