Exercise contributes to the changes one can see when comparing now to then.

When I started lifting heavy weights in 1990, for example, I was the only woman at my gym doing so. I was the only woman lifting weights at my gym period.

Today, our society is both the least healthy and the most healthy that it has ever been. It really is about being fit and feeling good in your skin and your clothes. The label doesn't matter.

We are of similar size and weight - although for me - I haven't ever been heavier than this. You summed up your post with the real reasons why 10 might not be good enough:

What you have to find is the range that works for you. The reason I have slowly crept up to the 150 weight was because there are times in the right clothes, I look fine. In the wrong clothes I look huge. But in the right clothes, I'm comfortable in my body and I'm ok with how I am, so I've learned to accept it.

But the reality is - I'm not at my ultimate health. At 150, my cholesterol is higher than I'd like (still not too high, but I'd like to have it low). My joints ache, my back aches, and my endurance for workouts is lower. I can't run as fast as I did when I weight 130. I can feel it in how I feel. I'm more tired, more run down.

So, what I'm getting at here is - for me - 10 isn't good enough because I'm not as fit or as healthy as I would like. And reading your post - it sounds like you are not comfortable with the way your body is at a 10. That could be the way you feel about yourself - but also how your feel.

Just thought I'd point out something about women's clothing sizes...

there are "junior sizes".... "misses" .... "petites".... and "women's".... a women's size 10 is quite different from a misses size 10 which is quite different from a junior's size 10.

There now! I am currently a size 14 in "misses" and a size 8 in "women's". Regardless of the size marked inside the pants, I'm still 175 pounds of chubbalicious. No matter what ya call it, I AM STILL OVERWEIGHT.

But I'm deal'n!

What I'm thinking, OP correct me if I'm wrong, the size 10 you were in high school was the whole package, the mindset, the self-esteem, the body image.

Now you're in a size 10 again, but the whole package isn't the same as it was back in high school.

That's where vanity sizing messes me up. I'd love to be a size 10 (today) but only because I've never been a size 10 (yesterday) so I don't have memories to compare it to.

I think it's odd that someone as large as me can fit into a 16 (today) but not my size 16's from 8 years ago. Each manufacturer has their own specs, sure, but 10 pair of pants from 10 manufacturers all in the same size, all in my closet worn by me a few years ago. . .that's the 16 I'm working towards.

What a great word! Makes me smile. I am now going to salute my chubbaliciousness in the mirror instead of griping at the fat left to lose.

One thing I have not seen mentioned about sizing is whether we are talking about junior or misses sizing. When I was in college at 128 pounds, I wore a juniors size 11/12. Now older, I weight 152 pounds (5'6") and wear misses size 10. So I really don't know how to compare the two different size categories. I know that juniors are cut much smaller overall for young girls than misses for women. So, I have no idea really how my size compares to the size I used to wear, and really, why should I even care?

Juniors sizing is really flaky from brand to brand. I wear an 8 in misses sizes (with the exception of a couple of brands where I'm fitting into a 6). In juniors, I have a few size 9s, and a few size 11s.

I used to say my goal was to be a 12 again.....but that would be the 12 of yesteryear that is hanging in my closet since today's 12 is likely yesterday's 16. Now with the new sizing I'd say my goal is an 8 since if I get down to 135 (my final goal) it sounds like a 12 would be too big.

As to why it isn't enough??? We naturally want something to strive for and as women who don't have good body images to begin with it's likely that to some degree we will never be satisfied. I am hoping to improve mentally as well as physically so I don't repeat my patterns. This time when I am no longer fat I want to KNOW that I am no longer fat. I look at pictures of me where I look awesome, but when the picture was taken I thought I was fat!!!! No more!

On the whole sizing issue of "Juniors" vs. "Misses" vs. "Petites"

In general terms (but varies per manufacturer)

Juniors = Odd numbered sizes. Usually have straight hips/legs to fit the younger generations who have not developed womanly curves. Marketed towards teens and young adults whose bodies have not fully developed, therefor the cuts are slimmer.

Misses = even numbered sizes with more of a slender frame, of average to taller heights 5'5" and taller. Marketed towards woman who have not fully matured or filled out their curves. (lets say - adult, pre-child bearing)

Petites = a variation on Misses sizes, with a shorter inseem, torso and overall length. These are clothes meant for woman 5'4" or shorter. Generally they run even more slender than misses as well. Personally, I fall between petite and misses - but find that for me to fit into a petite I have to go up a size. So, same manufacturer, same clothes, a size 8 will fit in Misses (but be too long) and a size 10P will fit all over correctly. But if I lose the weight to fit into a size 8P, the length is usually too short.

Womans = clothing sized for larger framed woman. They tend to have more room in the arms, thighs, waist, and overall length. Marketed towards mature woman whose bodies have fully matured.

You will also find that the style of clothing in each of the lines is usually marketed towards the generation they are geared towards. Juniors = Teen/young adult. Misses = Professional/child bearing years. Woman's = Mature adults.

HTH

Try looking beyond the size and how you feel at a smaller weight. Do you like the way you look in your clothes now? Is there acutaly more weight to lose? There is nothing wrong with wanting to be smaller. Size 10 was a goal you set for yourself, so set another one, so long as its not overkill or anything. Try for an 8 next and see how you feel there.
It could also be letdown too..you know..You worked for a while to get here and now that your here, what next? Or you could be like me. I've been big all my life and no matter how small I get, I still see a fat girl when I look in the mirror.