Lost 75lbs and only dropped 1 dress size????

Scochrane86
Scochrane86 Posts: 374 Member
edited November 16 in Health and Weight Loss
I am very pleased with the fact that I have lost 75lbs, however.... how can I have only gone down 1 dress size?! I started at 275 and a size 18 - I am now 200 and a size 16-16W. what gives? as I get below 200 I am either going to 1) drop dress sizes very quickly, or 2) be 140lbs wearing a size 14?!
has anyone been in the same boat as this?
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Replies

  • CricketClover
    CricketClover Posts: 388 Member
    xsmilexforxmex wrote: »
    I think this is where brands/sizing from different companies come into play. One brands 14 might be another's 16 or 18. Also, it matters where you lost that 75 lbs from... for example I lose from my bust the most at first, then stomach, then hips finally. My hips are what keeps me in a higher size...

    I agree. My hips keep me "bigger". When I was at 175 I was mostly in a US 14 but some 16s. Now at around 150 I am in a comfortable 10 and some 8s. I even still wear some of my 12s and 14s even though they are a bit big.
  • kasey39
    kasey39 Posts: 39 Member
    I think they're making clothes smaller (and as she said it might be a manufacturer issue as well). I went looking for a new coat at the beginning of winter...the one I'm still wearing is a 1X. It actually fits fairly well, just can't button the bottom button because of where all my weight is. The coats I tried on this time were 3X to find one that fit. It was ridiculous! I didn't buy one - I'm still using the other! If it makes you feel any better, I'm 224 and had to buy size 22 jeans! My weight is almost all saddlebags and behind - makes clothes shopping very difficult and frustrating. Hoping that won't last much longer!
  • Scochrane86
    Scochrane86 Posts: 374 Member
    I was always told that a 10lbs loss would equal about 1 dress size... I knew being as heavy as I was that probably wouldn't be the case, but I never thought it would take 75lbs per dress size lol
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Yep. I am right there with ya. It sucks.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    Scochrane86 wrote: »
    I was always told that a 10lbs loss would equal about 1 dress size... I knew being as heavy as I was that probably wouldn't be the case, but I never thought it would take 75lbs per dress size lol

    its not going to be the same for everyone. took me almost 20 lbs to lose a size,for some it may be 30.I lost 44lbs so far and have went down from a sz 18 to a an 6/8. It does depend on where you lose it from too.clothing now in the us are more like vanity sizes. I can wear some 6s,in other things I wear an 8 or 10.

    The difference I think for me is I lifted weights when I started losing.Im actually a size smaller than I was at a lower weight in the past. But go to different stores and try on different sizes. you will see a BIG difference in sizes when it comes to different stores.
  • Nicci93
    Nicci93 Posts: 397 Member
    I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that when you look at the differences in sizing in larger sizes (18+) they have a larger variance between sizes than smaller sizing (i.e. there's more inches between 16 and 18 than you can expect between an 8 and a 10). The smaller you get, it shouldn't take as many pounds to drop sizes.

    It also depends on where you lost the weight. I am in size 10s, but it will probably take me 20-30 lbs to see an 8 again cause I carry my weight in the hips and thighs.

    Congratulations on the huge accomplishment of losing 75 lbs!
  • descene
    descene Posts: 97 Member
    I'm down 25lbs and I haven't needed new clothes yet but my jeans are a lot comfier! They used to feel tight at the waist, now I really should be wearing a belt lol because I keep having to pull them up back over my hips and it must be very awkward-looking.
  • alondrakayy
    alondrakayy Posts: 304 Member
    I have jeans that are sizes 6, 8, and 10. I can fit into all of them. I never worry about sizes anymore.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    wyatts_momma_1027 wrote: »
    This is why I think that the women's fashion industry needs to lose this VANITY SIZING bs and see our pants by measurements just like they do men. The fashion industry is designed to make women feel inferior until they are in a 0 or 00 or even some companies make a -0 size. With last seasons 0 being this season's 2 or 4 it makes it impossible for us as women to feel confident in our clothing. Focus on the numbers and not some stupid tag!

    Congrats on the Loss!

    the thing with that is for people like me with a smaller waist and bigger hips and thighs,doing it by waist only I would still have to try them on.
  • powwlita
    powwlita Posts: 16 Member
    I've also lost 75 pounds, and have only gone down about 1 dress size. I was between a 28 and 30, and now I fit into some 26s. Keep going! At least you don't have to buy new clothes so often
  • KWlosingit
    KWlosingit Posts: 122 Member
    I have so far lost 55 and I can still wear my same pants. They are looser but not falling off. I think I have lost most of my weight in my upper half. You can see my wrist bones and the bones of my clavicle and my sternum a lot. I am hoping when I lose the last 55 I will lose by stomach!
  • julesboots
    julesboots Posts: 311 Member
    Congratulations! I'd also feel surprised if I lost that much and didn't go down at least more than one size (that sounds super frustrating) but we're all different...
    I know that generally (depending on the brand) it takes me about 15 lbs to go down a size on the top and probably closer to 20 or a little more to go down on the bottom.
  • AllisonMart
    AllisonMart Posts: 155 Member
    I hear ya...I'm 92 lbs down but only 2 sizes. Really frustrating. Agree with all the posters about vanity sizing, too. Hang in there, it will change eventually.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    There is more room to drop lbs between larger dress sizes. Once I hit a healthy weight range, a few lbs could have me dropping jeans/dress sizes.
  • NEOHgirl
    NEOHgirl Posts: 237 Member
    edited March 2017
    Agree with all of the posts above as to why it is not only possible, but probable. I will add that no one can see the size tag while you are wearing the item, so a) always bring at least 2 sizes to try on into the fitting room with you, at least within the same brand, and b) make sure you buy what looks good and feels good no matter what the tag says. It will happen. I dropped from a 14/16(L) to a pretty solid 12(M) after 25 lbs. I am now down about 35# and I am still in a 12. My jeans aren't quite loose enough to buy more yet. I am more shocked that I am wearing mediums at 173. Last time I was in the 130s/140s (20 years ago) I was wearing mediums. I have no idea what my final size will be when I hit my goal in the 140s this time.
  • lilchino4af
    lilchino4af Posts: 1,292 Member
    I will also add that many clothes materials can stretch over time making them bigger than they were brand new. For example, I have a pair of workout shorts from college that are Small; I wore size 6 jeans then. Fast forward to when I wore size 10 jeans but could still fit in the shorts. But to buy similar shorts now, I'd actually need a large! So while the tag on a piece of clothing could say one size, it might fit bigger, throwing off your expectations of what size you think you are. And vanity sizing doesn't help the matter at all. That's why my work clothes I buy men's because the sizing (and the fit, surprisingly) is better.
  • BlueScoobie02
    BlueScoobie02 Posts: 11 Member
    First off, Congrats on losing 75 lbs, that's amazing!
    Also, some men's pants have started the same size slippage. It's not as obvious as it is with women's clothing but a lot of men's jeans size 32 are actually 34 or 35 inches around.
  • HappyBlues
    HappyBlues Posts: 94 Member
    I started out at 296 and I am currently 201. I went from a size 24 to a size 16 currently (I cant get 14's on but they are still too tight for comfort) My ultimate goal weight is 170 for my height and frame. I have tried to stick with the same brand of clothing the whole way through this process just so things would stay consistent. Like others have said, sizes can really vary between brands. I have had periods when I felt like I was in the same size for like FOREVER to flying through other sizes. If the weight is coming off, don't worry so much about the sizes (I know easier said then done). You've done amazing so far keep!!
  • MelodyMomof2
    MelodyMomof2 Posts: 45 Member
    I am down 93 pounds now, and went from size 18 to size 8 jeans. It seemed like forever before I started dropping jeans sizes though.
  • SiegfriedXXL
    SiegfriedXXL Posts: 219 Member
    I have lost 102 pounds and only dropped one pant size, I went from a very tight 58 to a 56. The bigger you are, the bigger the size you wear, the greater the distance between sizes. I expect I won't be a 54 until I lose 30-40 more pounds and then it'll speed up. I hope so anyway.
  • chubbs415706
    chubbs415706 Posts: 13 Member
    You've lost 75 lbs! That's freaking amazing. Look at you before and afters when your feeling bummed about the lack of dresss change size. I'm sure you look smokin!
  • ZazieMFP
    ZazieMFP Posts: 25 Member
    edited March 2017
    Scochrane86 wrote: »
    I was always told that a 10lbs loss would equal about 1 dress size... I knew being as heavy as I was that probably wouldn't be the case, but I never thought it would take 75lbs per dress size lol

    Well it depends on what size range you are. In the smaller range, a gain of 5-10lbs can make you change size, especially for pants and form-fitting skirts. But in larger size range, it is different.

    If you ever have the opportunity to look at a multi-size sewing pattern, you'll notice than between size 6 (the smallest) and size 10, the distance between cutting lines for each size is approx. 1/4". Between sizes 12 and 16, the distance is approx. 2/3"; and between sizes 18 ans 22 (plus size), the distance is more or less 1 1/4". And so on.

    So when the garnement is finished - a straight skirt for example - the hip circumference of a size 8 is only 1" larger than a size 6, while a size 22 would be more than 4" larger than size 20.

    This is why you had to lose a lot of weight before dropping a dress size. As you will get into smaller ranges, you'll drop a size for each 20, or 10 lbs lost, depending on how and where you carry your weight and what type of clothes you wear.

    It's the case for me. I am short, and a 5 lbs gain make it impossible, for example, to get into J. Crew size 4 skirts that use to fit perfectly. I typically wear tailored suits and dresses to work, and my 10 lbs gain cost me a f*&#load of money. :-( Had to replace almost everything. Not fun.

    So I suppose that you long to wear smaller sizes because you'll have more shopping options, but in the meantime, you should appreciate the fact that you don't have to take second mortgage every bloody season to buy everything new.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    I'm surprised you were an 18 at 275. I was 2x at that weight. Sounds like you're doing great!
  • LiveLoveFitFab
    LiveLoveFitFab Posts: 302 Member
    Nicci93 wrote: »
    I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that when you look at the differences in sizing in larger sizes (18+) they have a larger variance between sizes than smaller sizing (i.e. there's more inches between 16 and 18 than you can expect between an 8 and a 10). The smaller you get, it shouldn't take as many pounds to drop sizes.

    It also depends on where you lost the weight. I am in size 10s, but it will probably take me 20-30 lbs to see an 8 again cause I carry my weight in the hips and thighs.

    Congratulations on the huge accomplishment of losing 75 lbs!

    This! When you are looking at the bigger sizes, they make it so that there is more of a difference between the sizing. The sizes in my closet range from a 10 to a 6. The six is from when I was 135lbs and the eight is about 145lbs. Right now I wear the size ten at 160lbs, but it's rapidly becoming too big.

    Don't worry. The closer you get to your goal, the more frequently you'll have to replace your wardrobe. For now, just be proud of your loss!
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    If you have a particular item of clothing that you liked, but it's too big now, see if that same item is for sale still. That's a better way of telling how many sizes you lost, but every manufacturer will be different. I've lost 33 pounds and one size, but I have some size 16s that are larger than some of my 18s.
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