Lost 35 pounds but haven't dropped a pants size?

lindyjo324
lindyjo324 Posts: 7 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've lost just over 35 pounds since January but I haven't changes my pants size at all. I was wearing an 18 when I started (probably should have been wearing a 20 but refused to buy one size larger, that's why I started losing weight) and I'm still an 18 today. I know I've lost inches in my hips and waist and thighs but can't seem to get into a 16. And my 18s are even loose on me. Frustrating and perplexing. What gives?!
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Replies

  • amann1976
    amann1976 Posts: 742 Member
    keep pushing... progress is slow... before you know it you will be down two pants sizes
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I just surpassed the 40 pound mark and can finally fit into a 22W. But they are still just a tad bit tight. I figure another inch from my hips will do the trick.
  • ammadove
    ammadove Posts: 97 Member
    Congratulations on your weight loss! You're doing great! Don't overfocus on the pants size. Take a good look at how they are fitting you now. Aren"t they looser in the waist, seat or thigh? Be patient with yourself. As everyone keeps telling me, "you didn't get there overnight, don't expect to have it go away overnight".
  • ChrissyMaez
    ChrissyMaez Posts: 117 Member
    Super job with your weight loss!!! I feel your pain on the pant sizes. I'm in between sizes right now which is EXTREMELY frustrating!!!! Just keep going and you will be in those 16s in no time!!!
  • dobrydney
    dobrydney Posts: 8
    I definitely just posted a similar thread around the same time you did! I'm a female, 5"6ish started at 280 and am now 260--been working on losing weight since May of this year. I was also wearing a size 18 and refused to buy a 20 but I think, like you, I was stuffing myself into the 18. Now my 18s are too big, but I can't really fit in a 16 and someone pointed out on my recent thread that I am just in between sizes. I thought after 20 pounds I would have been able to fit into a smaller size, but many people seem to say it happens faster the more you lose! Keep it up and congrats!
  • Slavic_Spice
    Slavic_Spice Posts: 78 Member
    Count me in with this problem! I suspect that I was pushing it with the 16s, because I refused to buy 18s. Also, I definitely came across some 16s that wouldn't fit, and of course I avoided buying those! I have a pair of 14s hanging in my closet, just waiting... I have lost a lot of inches but only about 8 pounds so I am sure I just need to be patienbt, but it's hard!
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    You said it yourself. You should've been in 20s, and now your 18s are getting lose. In a few more pounds/inches, you'll be in the 16s. You've lost almost two pant sizes.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    Pants seem to be remarkably flexible, especially as we buy ones in our size that 'fit' and buy brands that 'fit' too.

    I'm tall and have worn a 14 from weight of 150 (when I could have worth a 12) to 188. However, that took 25 years and pants sizes have gotten bigger and my pants have certainly gotten tighter.

    I've lost 25 pounds and I'm still in 14s but they are LOOSE. I refuse to buy new ones until I get back to 150. Could I fit a 12? Maybe. My shirt size went down. But they'd be tight.

    Big curvy brands include Gloria Vanderbelt, LL Beans, and Lands End.

    Low rise pants are smaller sizes than high waisted ones.
  • thektturner
    thektturner Posts: 228 Member
    Are you just cutting calories or are you exercising as well?
  • T1mH
    T1mH Posts: 568 Member
    You have dropped a pant size. By your own admission you should have been in 20's and now 18's are loose. Well done! Keep up the good work, it's just a matter of time and you'll be in 16's which would be dropping 2 sizes.
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    Sizing is so inconsistent. Are your 18s that are big newer than your 16s that don't fit? It seems like sizes get bigger every year. And it's definitely true that bigger sizes have more room between them - it takes more inches lost to go from 20->18 than it does to go from 10->8.

    I totally measure myself by pants, but it's not the best way for everyone. Start using an actual tape measure, I bet you will see differences faster than you think.
  • lindyjo324
    lindyjo324 Posts: 7 Member
    Are you just cutting calories or are you exercising as well?

    Yes. Exercising 5 days a week at least. Aiming to burn between 500-600 calories (I wear a HRM when working out) a day and eating about 1600 calories a day.
  • Healthydiner65
    Healthydiner65 Posts: 1,448 Member
    I carry weight in my hips. Walking 30 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the bike at the gym have helped me lose 4 1/2 inches from my hips.I went from a 20 to a 16.
  • HorizontallyImpaired
    HorizontallyImpaired Posts: 58
    your inbetween sizes - it happens to all of us :)
    Like you said - you should have been wearing 20's. give it a few more pounds and you'll be in those 16's!!!
  • drakechic08
    drakechic08 Posts: 156 Member
    I am the complete opposite. I have lost a ton of inches and several sizes but barely any weight. It really depends on where the fat is coming from. If you arent doing strength training, I would recommend it. That way you are making sure you are holding onto lean muscle mass and losing fat, then you will start seeing sizes drop. Do squats, lunges etc.
  • kathyms13
    kathyms13 Posts: 497 Member
    it will happen, ive dropped 5 sizes noe from a uk size 22 to a uk size 12. still a few pounds to go tho.
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    remember that your losing weight all over your body. So take your measurements to see where its coming off. Your not just losing it off your hips. Your doing great! Just keep going and you'll see more changes soon. You can do this.
  • karagetsfit
    karagetsfit Posts: 191
    If you should have been a 20 when you started but refused to wear it, then you did lose a pant size.
  • rebelate
    rebelate Posts: 218 Member
    Sizing is different depending on the brand. I have a size 16 jeans that fall off me, but I can't see to fit into that brands 14. I have another pair of size 12s that are too big, but I can't fit into a size 10.

    I know it's frustrating, especially with jeans. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on what the pants size is. I'd also suggest shopping around and trying on different brands, and styles. The 16's I have are from Old Navy in their "Rockstar" jeans, and the 12's that fall off are from Torrid.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    You could also have lost a lot from your extremities. Do you have any rings that fit looser? I find the last thing to go is my waist, so it's slower going with the pant sizes.
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Try on different brands.

    I have a pair of 14s that are very loose and a pair of 16s that are too tight to wear. A lot depends on the brand.
  • ptbodacious
    ptbodacious Posts: 65 Member
    Congratulations on the35 pounds! Are you trying on the same style/brand? I have lost 49 pounds and went pants shopping last week. Took 5 different styles of pants into the dressing room - all the same size - and ONE of them fit - two were too big and two were too small! So, of course, I bought the style that fit in every color they had - LOL. I also discovered that the 14W fit loosely, but the 16-not- W was tight. I understand your frustration. Hang in there!:tongue:
  • CorvusCorax77
    CorvusCorax77 Posts: 2,536 Member
    NEVER GIVE UP. EVER.
  • edge_dragoncaller
    edge_dragoncaller Posts: 826 Member
    Also has to do with how you have the pants position. Before I started...my 42 waist was just right when wedged under the belly, now though, I can wrap them over the belly :bigsmile:
  • BrieLP
    BrieLP Posts: 300 Member
    I've lost just over 35 pounds since January but I haven't changes my pants size at all. I was wearing an 18 when I started (probably should have been wearing a 20 but refused to buy one size larger, that's why I started losing weight) and I'm still an 18 today. I know I've lost inches in my hips and waist and thighs but can't seem to get into a 16. And my 18s are even loose on me. Frustrating and perplexing. What gives?!

    Yes! I mean I haven't lost 35lbs like you BUT my pants are WAY TO BIG and I still can't fit into a size smaller.... it's too tight and too uncomfortable.... :( i know the feeling... keep on keeping on that's all we can do it'll happen eventually.....
  • Pimpmonkey
    Pimpmonkey Posts: 566
    I've lost just over 35 pounds since January but I haven't changes my pants size at all. I was wearing an 18 when I started (probably should have been wearing a 20 but refused to buy one size larger, that's why I started losing weight) and I'm still an 18 today. I know I've lost inches in my hips and waist and thighs but can't seem to get into a 16. And my 18s are even loose on me. Frustrating and perplexing. What gives?!

    I was frustrated at first because I have the same problem. My uniform pants are falling off of me and are all bunched up around the waist when I belt them, but I still can't fit into the next size down and I have lost the same amount of weight as you. Crazy huh?

    I finally just said F it. I've lost lbs and inches so whenever the pants thing comes about, it comes about. Until then I'll just be happy about my inches and pounds!
  • OkieinMinny
    OkieinMinny Posts: 834 Member
    Lift heavy stuff - it will change your body comp
  • barb1241
    barb1241 Posts: 324 Member
    Oh, I have the same trouble. I think first of all it has to do with body shape. Even when I was much, much thinner, I was curvy, so wore bigger sizes than some of the straight up and down girls. I am amazed at the folks my height/weight who wear 2 sizes smaller than I do. UGH! and jealous of them too.

    Someone told me one time also to be paitent and that there is a big difference from size to size the larger you are. I don't remember exactly but something like 20 pounds per size for the plus ones and 10 per size for the smaller sizes. They also explained it is like a roll of paper towels. When it's a new big rool, you can remove several sheets and it doesn't get much smaller. But a nearly empty roll shrinks a lot when you remove the same number of sheets.

    HTH. Just keep on keepin' on.

    Barb
  • sullykat
    sullykat Posts: 461 Member
    Is it a possibility of the stretch in the pants. I remember when I was in plus size, all my pants had stretch, so I was able to wear a 16 even though I really was an 18. When I lost weight, my 16s still fit normal because they weren't being stretched... just a possibility.
  • thisisiamj
    thisisiamj Posts: 145 Member
    It's different for everybody. I lose top first, then bottom. My shirts are extremely loose and my waist has gotten a lot smaller, but my thighs have somehow refused to budge. Just be patient, and they'll eventually drop inches. I'm assuming that my thighs will start to lose more inches once I get closer to my goal. Its a pain in the butt, since my pants are way too loose on the waist, but fits right in the thighs. Perhaps you're losing more inches on other parts of your body first?

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