When will my sizes drop?
 

I've been doing some research on the internet and I've heard all kinds of different numbers. Like you lost 1 dress size for every 10lbs. I was just wondering what some of yalls numbers looked like when dropping lbs. I've dropped some weight and a my clothes are fitting looser.

I'm just trying to get a good guess about how much weight I will need to drop before I will be able to wear a size 18.

I wish I lost a size after 10 pounds! All my clothes seem to be fitting the same and im down 21 pounds...

In the smaller sizes, like 14 and under 10 pounds usually equals a size. In the larger sizes it can be as much as 40 pounds for sizes, and it seems to go down as the sizes go down. I'm in 24s from the store I get my jeans from, and in about 20 pounds I can go down to the 22s. I can technically fit in them now, but it's not pretty.

It's way more than 1 dress size for 10 pounds if you're over 200 pounds. I was a tight size 20 at 290 and am a tight size 18 at 255. About 35 pounds to drop a size.

I start riding the large 18 - small 20 wave at 295.

I start riding the large 20 - small 22 wave at 325.

Right now I am in a 22 for some things... Not for others (I have jeans that match a 22 in waist but fit fuller in the hips and thighs - curvy is the cut and they are labelled 24's).

I'd say any where from 20-50 lbs per size depending on cut, style and where you hold your weight when you are in a size 18+. *pout*

I was asking myself this recently and I agree with the other posts that in small sizes its more like 10 pounds and closer to 20-40 for the bigger sizes.

Then I had a real honest conversation with myself (you know, like when you evaluate your needs for shapewear or your ability to wear jeggings in public. That kind of honest conversation.) And I came to a couple realizations.
#1. I admit I have been wearing my current wardrobe for several pounds past the point of optimal fit. The jeans are tight and the tops are starting to make me feel like winnie the pooh because I have to constantly tug them down to make sure my belly is covered. Don't get me started on my muffin top.
#2. Most of my clothes are stretchy. Even my jeans have about 3% lycra so they give a little. And as much as I hate to say it, I've spent the last year and a half almost exclusively in yoga pants or velour sweats, or other comfy clothes. You don't not realize you are getting bigger when you can continue to wear the same clothes. And as you lose weight you can still wear them, they just don't have to stretch quite as hard.

I've lost almost 30 lbs and I'm still the same size, wearing the same clothes. But I am looking better in them. I'll be able to wear most of them for another 20 lbs or more before they start to get so baggy I have to worry about wardrobe malfunctions like losing my britches or showing my bloomers.

Annoyingly, it takes a lot more around our sizes than smaller ladies. I'm just now, within the last few weeks, comfortable in all the size 22s (Torrid and Old Navy) and 20s (Levis and NYJD) in my closet, and I still have a pair of 24s I can wear with a belt without it looking totally ridiculous. But I also have really big hips and stomach, so gals with less to lose around the middle probably see better results.

I'm really looking forward to getting into the region where the drops happen more quickly. It's discouraging to lose half a model and only one size ;)

You and I are the same height and the same starting weight. I don't know where you carry your weight but my fat is very evenly distributed - not all concentrated in one or two places. I am an hourglass (who lately is turning into more of a pear). I also lift heavy weights.

That being said, I was a size 32 at 370 lbs and I made it down to a 24 at 300 lbs (which took 3 months). I stalled out at 99 lbs lost (~270) for three more months, but during the stall, the scale didn't move but I lost 3 sizes, down to an 18. By the time I made it to 225 I was a 16w. My weight and size didn't make a lot of sense most of the time because I would stay the same weight but get smaller.

Now I'm under 215 and 14ws are too big. I can wear regular 16s in some things, regular 14s in some things. I can squeeeeze into size 12s but I wouldn't leave the house in them.

Ugh, that's not what I wanted to hear. LOL. O well...I'm just gonna keep working my butt off (literally) and eventually I will get there I guess. It may sound crazy but right now I'd kill to be a size 18.

DCHOUND - I carry all my weight in my lower body. I mean I have bigger arms but most of my weight is in my hips and thighs. Seriously my waist to hip ration is insane. (around 15 inch difference). How long has it taken you to lose your 157lbs?

Shiningstar, I feel ya on how frustrating it can be to drop a size. It took me about 40 pounds before I got out of the 22/24 range and 60 pounds before anyone noticed the difference. However, once I got down to a size 16, I could drop a size in about 12-15 pounds and once I got to a size 12 it was about 10 pounds. Once I got lower than this, it sometimes only took 6-8 pounds to get to the next size (I lose weight in the waist quicker than other areas). Just be patient, it will come.

I think it is completely different for every person. And, unfortunately, I think the larger the size you wear, the more weight you have to lose in between sizes. I've lost 14 pounds and wear the same size, but when I was smaller, it was only a matter of like, maybe 5 or 7 pounds from going to a size 12 to a size 10. Body shape is very important as well in determining how your clothes will fit when you lose weight. When you carry your weight in your middle, it may take longer to see overall size results, however if you carry your weight from waist down, you may find you will fit a smaller top than bottom earlier on. I would venture to say, that no one really loses weight 100% proportionally, but enjoy the little perks, like a loser waist band, roomier sleeves, etc. along the way.

re:
 

It definately is different for every person. It's been posted on here quite a few times, but this is a GREAT site for getting a feel for shapes, sizes, and weight:

http://www.mybodygallery.com/index.html

Indeed, it does take a long time to drop between sizes for some of us. The switch from W sizes to regular is almost like it's own size drop. I was:

281 - 22w
240 - 18w
210 - 16w
190 - 16

Don't give up, I swear you will get there! I know it's discouraging. I keep hoping for faster size drops, but it's just not happening yet.

I lost a little over 50 lbs and lost 9 dress sizes. My body frame/bone structure is pretty small. When I was in size 12's I could weigh anywhere from 145 to almost 160.. but the smaller I became the quicker I changed sizes until I was down to a 2.

At my highest weight I was a very loose 28 or an extra tight 26. Almost 60lbs later I'm in 20-22. The 22s are getting very loose but the 20s are still a little tight depending on the style and brand.

Not making fun of anyone,,,,,,,,but, as a kid I remember the popularity of polyester fabric!

You could be a size 12, darn near forever! Polyester stretches and never wears out! However the whole plaid thing did go out of style! Thank God.

Then it got fashionable or at the very least acceptable to wear the silly skinny stretch leggings, the old high school sweats and fleece britches everywhere.

*rolls eyes*

Go to Wal Mart and see how many folks are wearing their stretchy fleece jammie bottoms in the middle of the day!:dizzy:

I in no way shape or form, mean this as an insult, but if you think about it, in the 50's when most women still wore cotton or wool and made their own clothes 8-10 pounds, most likely was a size. With the invention of stretchy fabrics, it changes the whole concept!

In the end, I would not worry so much about the size, but are you healthier? If you're healthier!:carrot: Good for you, the rest will follow!

Sounds like you are built a bit closer to me...

I have the thighs and hip thing going with the smaller waist... A huge variance between the bust/band measurements too though so if I dress wrong I look a lot bigger in the waist. I love curvy fit clothing because it will be fitted everywhere from waist - thighs, and then will loosen up but my hips will keep it up still when it is loose.

I started 8/13/2008. These milestones stand out.

I lost 20 lbs the first two weeks - 350

I lost 60 lbs the first 3 months (11/15/2008, I was in a wedding) - 308

I lost 99 lbs the first 6 months (Valentine's Day 2009) - 271

After that it gets a bit fuzzy, but I got to ~225 by Thanksgiving 2009.

In 2010, I crashed and burned, and gained back up to 275 (slowly though). Then in May 2011 I turned it all around and by September 2011 dropped back down to 225ish.

I hovered between 225-235 until July of this year. Size 16w pants, 14 top.

August 1st I went on the Stillman diet and today I weigh 213, and I can wear 14w pants (some straight 14s but they are tight in the butt and loose in the waist) and I don't have any 12 tops to try on, but the 14s are floating. I can wear a size medium t shirt.

I am still PLENTY fat - technically obese - and a lot of flab but it's getting better. I originally set my goal weight at 170 which is less than I weighed in college, and a lot less than high school, but when I get there I will probably push it down to 150. I'm not in a hurry, I'll get there. I do know I will NEVER weigh over 300 lbs again...and once I get to below 200 I hope to stay there forever.

Hope that answers your question. :)

DC hound what progress you made and are making again!
I started a UK size 28 ...OK I squeezed myself into a 26 and hoped for the best! I was also in a men's 3xl from Asda.
I can now wear a 22 with room and am an xl in t shirts.
At what point is it sensible to buy new clothes? I desperately need a new bra and a new pair of jeans but is it money wasted as I plan to continue until I weigh under 200lbs. I have a very limited income and am not the best seamstress on the block!
At 196 (14 stone) I would still be classed as overweight but I figure that as long as I can hold under 200 that would be a good barrier.

Buy a new bra as soon as you need one! A well-fitting bra will literally take 2 sizes off you. No joke.

This is excellent advice!!!

Cuter w Curves - Where do you normally shop at? I've realized that I love shirts that stop just below my hips because they make them look a lot smaller!! I've been trying to discover what clothes make me look smaller with my build.

DCHound - Ah that is so amazing and I know this gets used a lot on here but it really inspires me. I'm trying to lose as much weight as I can before New Years. I know how it is to have to start over and this time I feel really good about myself and what I'm doing. Plus, I've finally discovered that a lot of my problems come from my PCOS so now that I'm taking medicine for that it's been much easier. I do want to ask you what you were doing when you lost the 60lbs? Were you following a certain diet? Or were just eating better? And what about exercise? I've been exercising 3 to 4 days a week doing cardio on the elliptical. I have a certain amount of carbs I eat every meal (directed by my doctor) and this week I've been trying to eat fewer calories like 1500.

mountain walker - I know how you feel I don't want to buy any new clothes because I feel like it is a waste. You should get a new bra though. I just got two new ones myself :)

No exercise whatsoever, I literally did not lift a finger other than my normal day.

I went on what I called a very restricted version of Atkins induction but since then I've learned it's commonly called a meat-and-eggs fast. From 8/14/08 until 11/15/08, my entire diet consisted of:

water
club soda
decaf coffee, black
steak broiled in butter
chicken, skin on, baked in butter
bacon
boiled or scrambled eggs, scrambled in bacon grease
about every 2 weeks I would go to Popeye's and have fried chicken, dark meat, mild

That's it. No carbs other than the ones present in eggs and fried chicken. My daily carb intake was less than 2, or less than 10 if you count 1 gram of carb per cup of decaf (Atkins said the decaf might make your pancreas think it was a carb, so to be careful I did track my decaf intake and limited it to less than 8 cups a day. Hey, I love black coffee. :) )

Different things work for different people. I have a lot of respect, and some envy, for people who can count calories, eat anything as long as they're accountable for the calories, and lose. I also have respect and envy for people who can do Atkins OWL which adds back carbs slowly, and still lose. I can do neither. I can maintain on Atkins induction (<20 grams of carb a day) but I can't lose pounds or inches. I recently went over to Stillman, no carbs very low fat almost all protein, and I'm losing again. It's a pretty harsh diet but it's worth it because I've been stuck at 225 for over a year.

Stillman says you can lose 5 lbs a week on his diet. I can't lose that fast but I can lose. And I definitely know how to maintain.

I do miss vegetables though. And I literally haven't had a piece, or even a bite, of fruit since 2010. Do not do a diet like this unless NOTHING ELSE works. It's hard. It's not fun. But neither was being 370 lbs.

Edited to add: I do exercise now though. I rebound twice a day every day, I hike with my dog 3-5 miles every few days, I lift HEAVY weights in the gym every few days (35 lb bicep curls, for example), I bike sometimes, I swim sometimes. I only do things I like, and I don't really try to hit any set level. I just do what feels good. Exercise has never helped me lose weight but the lifting has definitely improved my shape.

WOW!! I have so much respect for you right now. I'm pretty sure I'd die trying to follow the diet you followed. I struggle enough as it is and I'm allotted 150 Carbs a day.

No fruit!! Ahhh I really would fall off the wagon. I love me a good strawberry.

I think that is amazing that you've been able to stick it out so long. Seriously, that is a huge feat!! You are one strong lady.

Thanks. :) I did fall off the wagon in 2010 but got back on in 2011. By fell off the wagon, I mean I went up to maybe 30 grams of carb a day. Super low for your average person, super high for me. It's really not that hard once you get used to it. I have people I know in real life tell me everyday - "I can't understand how you eat this way - don't you miss _____ (carby food)?". But if they knew how much better it feels for me to eat this way, they might understand it a little better. Eating carbs hurts my joints for one thing - one slip up and my knees immediately start hurting, etc.

I do NOT recommend this for anyone who doesn't need it, but, it works for me. :)

It takes me about 20-25 lbs to drop a size. I've been told it takes less as you get smaller. I've been as small as 225 and it was still about 20 lbs between sizes

ETA- at 225 I still mostly wore size 18 pants but started seeing a lot more variety in my sizes. I was starting to fit into more stores with different levels of vanity sizing. I had multiple size 14 dresses, mostly size 16 tops, 1 pair of 16 pants and the rest 18s. But I started wearing 18s in the 240s.

I had this hit home this week. I started at a tight ( thank you stretchy fabric) size 26 and 65lbs later I thought a size 22 would be a sure thing. Well I was wrong. Jeans fitted OK but non-stretchy trousers VERY snug. Rather disappointed but I think in reality I was a size 28 easily especially around my stomach which seems to shrink a WHOLE lot slower than the rest of me!!!
SIGH!!

ShiningStar05 I learned something a long time ago... Embrace my waist. I have one. *grin*

So for my "nicer" clothing I shop at https://sexyplusclothing.com/ (she's local to me but has an online store as well), or http://www.igigi.com/ - I make sure I go with their shape guide. It is REALLY important to do this.

If I wear something that will show my waist through the clothing I can go with longer shirts, but if not then I have to have it fitted. Because I am so busty it literally makes me look like I have no waist if I don't do that.

Additionelle and Penningtons in Canada carry a jeans/pants type called Curvy which has a waist that is narrower, and fuller hips and thighs... Basically this means the 24 jean has a 22 waist. Very handy I tell you!

The other thing I do is I will buy clothing, and take it to a local tailor. An example is my winter coat. I bought one that fit my bust... a 3xl. I took it to him. The waist needed to lose 9 inches... He stopped at 7 because any more would have changed the coat shape too much. The hips he took off 4 inches. See if you can find a tailor who will do things like this for a reasonable price. I got the coat on sale... and spent 20$ adjusting it. I still got it for less then half of what it would have been. :carrot:

When I was 225, I lost a size every ten pounds until 175. Then I lost a size every five pounds.

Now that I'm over 300, it really depends. I've noticed 30-40 pounds between sizes. When I was 275 a few years ago, it was 20 pounds between sizes.

So, yes, for thinner girls, it'll be about 10 pounds per size. For heavier women, though, it increases exponentially. If you think about it, we're still losing a lot of weight from all over our body: back fat, arm jiggle, calves, face, neck, breasts, and so on. Once you're under 200, you're really only losing it from your face, waist, hips, and thighs because those other, smaller areas have already tightened up.

Example: I only need to lose an inch or two off my forearms, but I have to lose about 17 inches off my waist. That's a huge difference. Once I'm under 200, though, my arms will be in shape, but my waist will still be reducing.

I started at a comfortable size 22 at 294. I am a lot shorter than you and at around 240 I was able to fit in size 18's. At 230, they were already getting looser. And by 220, I could not wear 18's anymore. 210-220 16's fit comfortably. Now after 210, things are getting a lot easier when moving down sizes. I am 198 right now and 16's are getting big and size 14's are starting to fit. So it does get easier. It just takes some time! Believe me, I could not wait until the day I was a 16. It will come! Just stay patient, as hard as it may seem!

Im in the same boat. I lost just over 14lbs, and I want to magically fit into smaller clothing :/
My goal is also a size 18!
Good Luck everyone!

One other things I just remembered - it seems like, when gaining weight, I was able to stay in the smaller size for longer before moving up. Meaning, when gaining briefly in 2010, I gained all the way back up to around 270 before I had to move from 18 jeans to 20 jeans. But on the way down, I couldn't wear 18s until I got below 250. Weird.

I guess it all depends on how you're shaped. At my heaviest at 308 I was a loose 24 and now I'm 280 and a normal 22. But I've noticed instead of wearing XXL from old navy I can wear just the XL.