Did you get back into your old pants?

performfully

I am feeling hopeless! I am having trouble coming to terms that I could never ever fit into my old clothes. Before weight gain, I was 150 lbs and wore a size 5. I wore a 14 or 16 at my highest weight, which was between 200-210 lbs. I can just now (uncomfortably) squeeze into 13's after losing just under 20 lbs. (I'm 5'6, female, for the record). If I've lost 20ish lbs (currently just over 180) and barely budged in clothes, how will I ever get into my clothes again if I only have 30 more to go?!

Does it happen? Did I permanently mess everything up? :sad: I hold a lot of weight in my stomach, but it's shrunk significantly and apparently my lower half grew significantly going from a 5 to a 14! I also was still unfit at my lower weight, so it's not like I fit in them because I was toned or anything.

Someone hit me with the hard truth. Can the damage really be undone?

BombshellPhoenix

Yes you can!

Where you lose fat from is genetics. So, you're at its mercy. The best thing you can do is take it slow. Aim to lose around 1 lb per week, get a good amount of protein, typically 1g per pound of lean body mass, and pick up some form of resistance training program if possible to retain lean body mass, ideally weightlifting but if you don't have access to that there are also body weight exercises that can help.

Honestly, it took my last 10-15 lbs to see a significant difference in my stomach. It's just where I hold the most of my fat at. Just have patience and don't stress.♡ Keep swimming!

BraveNewdGirl

Fat loss is genetics. So, you're at its mercy.

This is totally wrong. Fat loss is not genetics. It's burning more calories than you consume. It's possible that you may have some work to do in terms of body recomposition, but it is totally reasonable to believe that you can get back into your old jeans. When I lost my first 20 lbs., I only dropped 1-2 sizes. The next 20 lbs. took me down 4 sizes. Don't be discouraged!

AquaticQuests

I am feeling hopeless! I am having trouble coming to terms that I could never ever fit into my old clothes. Before weight gain, I was 150 lbs and wore a size 5. I wore a 14 or 16 at my highest weight, which was between 200-210 lbs. I can just now (uncomfortably) squeeze into 13's after losing just under 20 lbs. (I'm 5'6, female, for the record). If I've lost 20ish lbs (currently just over 180) and barely budged in clothes, how will I ever get into my clothes again if I only have 30 more to go?!

Does it happen? Did I permanently mess everything up? :sad: I hold a lot of weight in my stomach, but it's shrunk significantly and apparently my lower half grew significantly going from a 5 to a 14! I also was still unfit at my lower weight, so it's not like I fit in them because I was toned or anything.

Someone hit me with the hard truth. Can the damage really be undone?

Hit your target weight then reassess! 30 lbs lost meant I could wear pants from over 15 years ago! In other words, depending on who you are, 30 lbs can be huge!

So if you're asking if you'll be able to fit in pant size x after losing 30lbs more, the answer is lose the additional 30 and find out!
Also start hitting the gym to deal with stomach - weight loss alone may not completely deal with it!

BombshellPhoenix

Fat loss is genetics. So, you're at its mercy.

This is totally wrong. Fat loss is not genetics. It's burning more calories than you consume. It's possible that you may have some work to do in terms of body recomposition, but it is totally reasonable to believe that you can get back into your old jeans. When I lost my first 20 lbs., I only dropped 1-2 sizes. The next 20 lbs. took me down 4 sizes. Don't be discouraged!

Where you lose fat from comes down to genetics. Is what I was saying. Not that you cannot lose fat.....

It absolutely comes down to genetics to where the body is predisposed to lose said fat. Essentially, I was saying you cannot "spot reduce" areas. Losing weight overall will help but not to be too hung up on areas that aren't improving as much as others. Of course you lose fat by burning more than you consume. ...

For the record, I started out at a size 16 at 170 lbs and 5'3.5" to 120 lbs and a size 2. Which is two sizes smaller than high school at 5 lbs lighter and after 2 kids.

performfully

Phew! Thank you guys for the needed words! I have never gained a lot of weight, therefore never lost a lot of weight. I am just panicking that no matter how hard I work, what if it can not be achieved? That is scary.

As for the gym, I have seriously toned down my commitment to exercising and have only been calorie counting. I'm in 15 hours deep at college with a 1 year old who I am alone with most of the time as my fiance works 15 hour nights. I am still losing and exercise when I go over, but muscle is at the bottom of my priority list with kid and school.

BUTIgirl212516

You can do it!! I gained 15 pounds last year during my first year of college....didn't realize it until I had to order new jeans because my favorite pair didn't fit anymore. I started working out and eating right four months ago and now I fit into the jeans again AND have muscle, which is a lot better than before! Just keep at it!

BombshellPhoenix

You'll want to at least retain muscle. Lean body mass is what gives that leaner appearance. If you don't have time to exercise, I'd just make sure you're not being too aggressive with weight loss and see from there.

BraveNewdGirl

Fat loss is genetics. So, you're at its mercy.

This is totally wrong. Fat loss is not genetics. It's burning more calories than you consume. It's possible that you may have some work to do in terms of body recomposition, but it is totally reasonable to believe that you can get back into your old jeans. When I lost my first 20 lbs., I only dropped 1-2 sizes. The next 20 lbs. took me down 4 sizes. Don't be discouraged!

Where you lose fat from comes down to genetics. Is what I was saying. Not that you cannot lose fat.....

It absolutely comes down to genetics to where the body is predisposed to lose said fat. Essentially, I was saying you cannot "spot reduce" areas. Losing weight overall will help but not to be too hung up on areas that aren't improving as much as others. Of course you lose fat by burning more than you consume. ...

That's definitely true. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify what you meant. I just cringed at "Fat loss is genetics." because I've seen people be discouraged by similar statements. At one point, I was told I probably just have a slow metabolism. Blargh!

performfully

You'll want to at least retain muscle. Lean body mass is what gives that leaner appearance. If you don't have time to exercise, I'd just make sure you're not being too aggressive with weight loss and see from there.

Whenever I was exercising and very diligent about my calories, I lost 2-3 lbs a week, which slowed to 1.5-2. Nothing unhealthy here. I have a long history with EDs so it is very top priority during my weight loss to do it in a safe way (mentally and physically).

BombshellPhoenix

Fat loss is genetics. So, you're at its mercy.

This is totally wrong. Fat loss is not genetics. It's burning more calories than you consume. It's possible that you may have some work to do in terms of body recomposition, but it is totally reasonable to believe that you can get back into your old jeans. When I lost my first 20 lbs., I only dropped 1-2 sizes. The next 20 lbs. took me down 4 sizes. Don't be discouraged!

Where you lose fat from comes down to genetics. Is what I was saying. Not that you cannot lose fat.....

It absolutely comes down to genetics to where the body is predisposed to lose said fat. Essentially, I was saying you cannot "spot reduce" areas. Losing weight overall will help but not to be too hung up on areas that aren't improving as much as others. Of course you lose fat by burning more than you consume. ...

That's definitely true. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify what you meant. I just cringed at "Fat loss is genetics." because I've seen people be discouraged by similar statements. At one point, I was told I probably just have a slow metabolism. Blargh!

Oh goodness no! Haha. It's late, I should have elaborated what I meant. When I reread it i was cringing too:flowerforyou:

BombshellPhoenix

You'll want to at least retain muscle. Lean body mass is what gives that leaner appearance. If you don't have time to exercise, I'd just make sure you're not being too aggressive with weight loss and see from there.

Whenever I was exercising and very diligent about my calories, I lost 2-3 lbs a week, which slowed to 1.5-2. Nothing unhealthy here. I have a long history with EDs so it is very top priority during my weight loss to do it in a safe way (mentally and physically).

Imo, with 30 lbs left to lose I'd slow it down to 1 lb a week. The faster the weight comes off, the more likely lean body mass is jeopardized.

performfully

You'll want to at least retain muscle. Lean body mass is what gives that leaner appearance. If you don't have time to exercise, I'd just make sure you're not being too aggressive with weight loss and see from there.

Whenever I was exercising and very diligent about my calories, I lost 2-3 lbs a week, which slowed to 1.5-2. Nothing unhealthy here. I have a long history with EDs so it is very top priority during my weight loss to do it in a safe way (mentally and physically).

Imo, with 30 lbs left to lose I'd slow it down to 1 lb a week. The faster the weight comes off, the more likely lean body mass is jeopardized.

Trust me it hasn't been going fast these days :laugh: School, just took a week long vacation, stress eating! I appreciate all your helpful advice!