I'm an apple-shape, which means I'm two sizes larger in the waist than in the seat and legs. I seem to drop a pants size about every 20 pounds, but nothing post-children seems to fit correctly anymore.
Height: Tall enough for my feet to reach the ground
I really think that depends on a LOT of factors....like shape, style of clothing, and actual weight (before and after the loss). Because at 250lbs you may have to lose 20-30lbs before switching sizes, where at 150lbs you may not be able to keep your pants up after 8-10lbs. You know?
I know at 160lbs I can wear (basically) a size 10, and at 180lbs I can still wear them but they are SNUG! But, if I get under 160, even by a few lbs I have to get into 8's or the 10s are REEEEALLLY big.
I was in a relatively snug 24 at 328lbs. At 267lbs I'm in a loose 20. But it really does depend on the maker of the pants, whether they run small or large. I certainly do feel better and people are noticing all the time now. They didn't really notice the weight loss until it reached over 50lbs.
Amy
I'm having the same issues......I started at 319 in a 26 fitted pants were snug. But I carry my belly area really weird...my muscles are messed up in that area so my stomach hangs out more than normal......I'm at 283 and my 26's are slipping off my waist as I walk really are too big but I don't have any choice....I have some 24's that have been tight on my tummy area still.........then thursday I tried on a 24 and it fit GREAT! I even got on a pair of 20's (I have the exact same pair in a 26) and they fit me great except for the poofy pocket thingy.....it wasn't bad but I didn't feel good wearing those yet.
I will be so excited when I hit the teen sizes!!! the smallest jeans I've worn in my entire adulthood is 14!
Since we're the same height, here's some numbers for a quick gauge:
At 155 lbs I was a size 12.
At 140 lbs I was a size 8-10
At 125 lbs I am currently a size 6
I've never been able to get to size 4 -- but I imagine if I magically managed to get to 115 lbs, I'd be a comfortable size 4 (never gonna happen! lol )
In the past year or so, my body shape has changed, and my hips are wider which makes it harder to fit into small sizes. Usually I end up buying a larger size and having it tailored.
A little off topic but I have also found that sizes fit differently now than they did before I had children. I am now the almost the same weight I was before my first child and there is no way I will be in the same size I was back then. I tried on a pair of pre-child jeans and I won't be in those for a long time.
My stats are a lot like JellyDisney's. I'm the same height too and pear-shaped -- when I started at 150 lbs or so, I was right about a size 10 (petite). I'd guess that I dropped a size for every 10-15 pounds, and was right at a 4 when I reached my goal to be under 115. But, I found I'm still firming up as I continue to exercise, and now can actually wear some 2's. So another variable is the effect from your exercise routine, not just weight loss. I also found that I lost weight LAST in my hips, since I tend to carry to carry my excess weight in the hips and thighs. (first on / last off!)
Women's sizes are REALLY not consistent though, which makes this process so much harder. Why can't they just sell us clothes based on inches, like men's clothes??
Let's see. I think I'm an hourglass with a beergut? (I like to think of it as a winegut).
I wore men's jeans at my heaviest (GoGo carpenter fit), I think 40. That was around 230 pounds. I didn't buy women's until 185ish when I found 16w fit perfectly. It was hilarious to wait so long and have everyone at work notice on the same day that I'd lost weight.
Now at 165 and wearing 14, although with today's jean sizing I can either
A - not button them up
B - get away with a 12
And I've also heard that once you are down into smaller sizes like 4 or 6, that it only takes about 5 pounds to go up or down a size.
This is absolutely true, at least for me. @ 114lbs, i wore size 3, @ 120 lbs, i wore size 5, and @ 125 lbs, i wore size 7 - and @ 135 lbs, i wore size 9. So the smaller you get, the fewer lbs you'll need to lose to drop a pant size. (although i definitely understand the feeling that nowadays, sizes are quite vary depends on places, countries and such >.<")