I'm trying to guess how much I need to weigh in order to get to a 35 inch waist. I've been heavy so long I have no idea what a reasonable goal weight is, but I would like to get to a 35 inch waist as an initial goal. I recognize that weights and sizes vary widely, but I'm just taking a poll to try to guage a range. I am 5'6". Right now I am size 20-22. Is a 35 inch waist a 16?

Everyone is different so it'd be hard to gauge. I don't know what my waist size is but I know my pant size can be from 14-18 depending on the brand. I'm 5'6" but with short legs so I wear petite pants which are usually a size down (size 16 petite is usually equivalent to size 18 regular in terms of waist)

New York & Co says size 18 is 35 inch waist. Eddie Bauer also says size 18 is 35 inch waist. So I'd go with size 18.

I'm 5'7" and got to a 35" waist at about 189 pounds, and was about a size 16. I started at about 197 pounds with about a 36.5" waist and about size 18, so you can see I lost quite a bit in the waist right up front. That's because in the last 10 pounds or so that I had gained, I had really lost my usually small waist. But every body truly is so different. I have a pear-ish / hourglass shape.

I started my body reclaiming journey with a 36" waist. I am 5'3" about, and weighed 181 when I finally acknowledged my weight (was actually somewhere between 183 and 185 when I started but I wouldn't admit it). On average, I used to wear a Canadian size 12 - 14, and they were getting snug when I returned to the gym and clean eating.

Just to show how difficult it is to get a definitive answer to your question, I was about 220lb and the equivalent of a US16 when I reached a 35" waist. I have a relatively small waist and a big bottom so have to get pants to fit the bottom not the waist. At a 180lbs I have a 32" waist and mainly in a size 12 in pants, wearing some 10s in skirts/shirts.

Kitty

my waist is about 33-34 inches right now and i'm probably about a size 14, so i think your size 16 estimate is probably pretty good.

I have a 35 inch waist as of last week. I'm 5'7" (32" inseam) 188 pounds and fit into most 14 slacks, but in most jeans I'm in between sizes. 16's are pretty loose, but 14's are a little tight. I measure right at my belly button. I find the higher quality clothes run larger. A size 14 Calvin Klein Jean is a perfect fit, whereas Levi's size 16 is too tight.

It matters more how your weight is distributed over your body and what body type you are than what the measurement of your waist it, IMHO.
We joked last week in Weight Lifting forum that in addition to the traditional apple and pear body types, there is a third one - Jessica Rabbit (wide shoulders, big boobs, no waist, no butt, no hips). I fit that profile perfectly.
Currently, I weigh 160 lbs and my measurements are 39-33-38.5 and I wear size 4 jeans. But I would not be able to wear a size 4 top.

I'm 5'6, weigh 170 lb, wear size 11-12, have a 30" waist measuring the smallest indentation of my torso, 33" around my belly button, hourglass type figure.

HTH.

~CGH~

I actually found out the opposite. I had the exact same fit around the waist/hips on a 16P than with a regular 14

To the OP: right now I am at 34" and the 16P are getting quite loose around the waist. I have a pair of size 13 jeans in my closet which I tried on yesterday and they fit, but they are a bit snug still.

I have a size 33 waist if that helps? lol

Thank you all so much. I am going to set an interim goal of 190 and hope that will give me a waist of 35 inches or less. It's only a guess, but at least I can use the input you all provided to make it an educated guess. Thanks again!

Are we talking natural waist, or where your jeans sit? My natural waist is 33", but where my jeans sit is about 45". I'm a size 18, getting close to a 16, and I'm about 225 pounds, 5'4". I'm also very pear shaped, so it might be different for other people.

I have a 34" waist and wear 9's to 11's in pants...

I'm jealous of all your waists... mine is 32" at the thinnest part of my torso, and I'm a solid 39" around my belly button. Sigh (Also keep in mind I'm 5'2" and 140 pounds... the ONLY weight I have to lose is in my belly. Everything else is pretty thin.)