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.

It's okay! I've lost 100 pounds and I only really just recently went from a 26 to an 18! (I'm very tall). But it was stressful when my jeans weren't like horrifyingly baggy after losing 50 pounds, so I know how you feel. You'll get there Haha don't burn! donate!!

I know how you feel. I haven't lost as much as you have but it's frustrating when you aren't "seeing" the tangible results of your efforts. Before you know it you'll be into those 20's and even lower!

HLS: I was thinking the same exact thing tonight. I am currently at 278 and I am a size 22 and I was thinking that when I have lost weight in the past, my sizes didn't go down as fast as the weight did. I guess it all has to do with inches and not weight. But in the end when I started exercising more my sizes dropped very quickly. You''ll get there. I know your frustration and can sympathize. Congrats on the 31# lost! I think that's fantastic!

Well, it all comes around...there's only about 10-15lbs between the lower sizes - but it gets MUCH harder to shed.

to you all!! Keep up the great work. <3

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.

I can't remember where I heard this (or if it is true) but the difference between size 12 and higher is 2 inches on the waist, lower than size 12 is 1 inch.

I wonder if that is true?! I hope so! I'm going to pretend it is anyway! I heard the same as Mortonpixie, but it was like 10-20 lbs between sizes or was it inches? Ok nevermind, I just got myself confused. But the point is, is that WE'RE ALL THERE!! I'm only a size down from when I was 30 pounds heavier... but then it also depends on what brand I buy too. Don't let it get you down! You'll get there!! We all will!

When I first started losing it took forever to to get in to smaller sizes. I think it actually took a few months for me to even get down 1 size. But once I started getting in to a rhythm the sizes came quicker and quicker.

Another thing to watch out for is different sizing in different stores. Right now I'm wearing a 4 in American Eagle Boyfriend Cut jeans and a size 8 in Banana Republic Martin Fit trousers.

The numbers on the tags inside of our pants are just that, numbers. It's about how you feel and how you perceive yourself. Once you stop paying attention to what size you are you'll be sliding down the size chart faster than you can imagine. Good luck and keep us posted.

it is true, the plus sizing has far more "lbs" between sizes, I know it is sad in lots of ways because it is so great to go down a size and working that hard for 1 size seems frustrating. All I can say is keep plugging because 1 size will turn into 2 will turn into 5!

As fot "regular" sizes, they are so all over the map it is crazy! I am 160lbs and I wear anything from a 6 to a 14, no kidding.

So try not to get hung up on size and numbers, become the person you want to see in the mirror and love yourself for what your body can do and what it can do everyday you work at it.

L144S: It seems like all the sizes in every store now are completely different. It is frustrating not being able to go into a store, pull your size off the rack and bringing it home and having it fit. But I like what you said, as long as we are healthy, we shouldn't let the numbers on the tag define us.

Angela

i have felt as you do as well! it seems when other people lose a bit of weight they are down 5 sizes! i can lose alot of weight before i notice a size change-20 or 30 pounds! But you can also pay attention to how much more *comfortable* those sizes are. Also, jeans are *so* different. A brand will make a dif in size (right now i own 2 pairs, a 20, and a 22 and they both fit great but dif brands!). Also the "cut" can make a difference. Why not go get yourself a different pair even if it is the 22's... just one you really like?? low cut? Bedazzled pockets? i can't WAIT til i can buy new ones!

jen
since i dont have a signature:
258/283.2/goal???

I definitely sympathize with you. When I was at my highest, which is almost 30lbs ago, I was a size 14 I'd squeeze in and sometimes I even squeezed in to 12's! With MAJOR flab hanging over. It wasn't until going shopping for dress pants and having to buy a 16 that I realized it was time to lose weight.

Anyway, after dropping 25lbs I went to buy a few things and when they were size 14's that I fit into, part of me almost cried because I didn't have to squeeze in and then part of me cried because I was like WHA?! I was wearing these before!!!!

It's all relative. As long as we are droppng the weight I KNOW we "shouldn't" care what the tag on the jeans say, but it's extremely hard not to.

I can't even bring myself to go shopping anymore. I'm just going to wait until I'm down to 50lbs. I prefer to see my old jeans getting baggier and baggier rather than new jeans not fitting.

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

I understand exactly how you feel. I have dropped more than 40 pounds and still fit into my size 14 jeans.... they are baggy, but they still fit. How does this happen?