Emergency! About how many pounds to a pant size?

I am going on an extended business trip to China in one month, and I don't know which clothes to pack! They will probably not have my size, or at least not in the right length since I'm a foot taller than the average woman there. I'm 5'9.

I have lost 8lbs now and my size 12 jeans are a little loose, but my size 10s (my goal) are still too tight. I may have stretched out my size 12s though... Approximately how many pounds did you have to lose per size? If I end up a size 10, I need to buy more pants before I go since I only have 2 that are still in good shape, but I don't quite fit into them yet! HELP!

Just out of curiosity, does the amount of pounds change depending on the size? I mean is it more/less weight to go from say 22 to 20 then it is to go from 12 to 10?
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Replies

  • Ruthe8
    Ruthe8 Posts: 423 Member
    It really depends on the person and how you carry your weight. I would get some size 10's to be safe.
  • Since your not leaving for a month. I bet you will be into the size 10's by then. I would pack a few 12's and the rest 10's.
  • Flawless_K
    Flawless_K Posts: 42 Member
    I have no idea how to answer your questions, but If I were you, I would take the bigger size and a nice belt! have a safe trip ;-)
  • LadyIvysMom
    LadyIvysMom Posts: 391 Member
    It doesn't really matter because pants brands vary so greatly. I have jeans in sizes 8 through12 that all fit me the same way. Plus you could lose 10 lbs but it all comes from your arms or something so it might not change your pants size. Or you could not lose any pounds but lose inches instead and go down two sizes. You just can't really guess.

    I'd just pack the 12s and maybe one of the 10s just in case you go down a size while there.
  • Hezzietiger1
    Hezzietiger1 Posts: 1,256 Member
    seriously.. they really have nothing to do with each other. Drop the carbs in your diet for the next 2 weeks and focus on weight training and you'll prolly get into the 10's no problem. I've lost only 2 lbs in the last month but gone from size 16 to 12. I lost 66 lbs and went from 22 to 16. See.. not really much to do with each other! LOL
  • msaestein1
    msaestein1 Posts: 264 Member
    I remember watching Oprah one day and she said there was about a 10lb difference. I am the same size and height as you and I am shooting for a 10 lb loss to get back in my size 10s by Thanksgiving.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    Everyone is different. At 190 I was a tight 14, at 180 I was a tight 12. At 165 I was comfortable 10. At 155 I was a comfortable 8. Now at 145-147 I'm between a 4 & 6. So, I pretty much dropped a size for every 10-12 pounds I lost.

    But I've also heard that some people lose 20 pounds between sizes. It's all in how you are made.

    I'd take both 10's and 12's (I understand the not being able to find pants in China, I'm 5'11, I can barely find them in the US!).

    Have a wonderful time on your business trip, be sure to take in some culture while you are away!
  • Pandorian
    Pandorian Posts: 2,055 Member
    It TOTALLY depends on you.. I'm still 2lbs heavier than when I really started here on MFP, but down 5 lbs from my high in the meantime, but I'm in 3 sizes smaller clothes than i was in Dec 2010. I weigh more...and am in smaller clothes. So there is no "pounds per pant size" to apply across the board.
  • gaiareeves
    gaiareeves Posts: 292 Member
    It's usually 10 - 20lbs, depending where you carry your weight/how much you have to lose.
  • kclarkss
    kclarkss Posts: 69 Member
    Don't get upset if your pants are tight after flying. When I fly my body swells. It goes away after a day or so. You are on a long flight. Drink lots of water.
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    I was afraid that would be the answer.... Probably even more so since I do heavy duty weight training (none of the 'toning' crap). My biceps are big enough now that some of my shirts with sleeves don't fit well.

    Yes I do low(ish) carbs. I've been averaging about 125g a day over the last two months. In the last week, I have really cracked down, and got my average down to about 80, and lost 1.1 lbs in 6 days!

    Belt is a great idea! That can help, until they are big enough that the material actually folds/scrunches. That is horrible!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I am going on an extended business trip to China in one month, and I don't know which clothes to pack! They will probably not have my size, or at least not in the right length since I'm a foot taller than the average woman there. I'm 5'9.

    I have lost 8lbs now and my size 12 jeans are a little loose, but my size 10s (my goal) are still too tight. I may have stretched out my size 12s though... Approximately how many pounds did you have to lose per size? If I end up a size 10, I need to buy more pants before I go since I only have 2 that are still in good shape, but I don't quite fit into them yet! HELP!

    Just out of curiosity, does the amount of pounds change depending on the size? I mean is it more/less weight to go from say 22 to 20 then it is to go from 12 to 10?

    Weight has little to do with clothing size. It's all about your measurements. Measure your size 10s and measure yourself. Look at your MFP reports and see how long, on average, it is taking you to get smaller.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I have no idea how to answer your questions, but If I were you, I would take the bigger size and a nice belt! have a safe trip ;-)

    ^^This is what I would do too.
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    Ooh! Just had a great thought! Probably can't buy new clothes, but I probably can get the clothes I have tailored pretty cheaply! Maybe I should go buy new clothes now (including a nice suit or two) with an eye to get them tailored!!!!!!!!!
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    You could just order some new ones from an internet store and have them shipped. You may even be able to get something shipped from within China, and save a little money on shipping costs. I buy clothes online several times a year, and most of it comes from China.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I think your definition of Emergency is skewed.
  • Really differs for everyone.. I've lost almost 75 lbs and I have only gone down 3 pant sizes.
  • Elainejk21
    Elainejk21 Posts: 121 Member
    If you're going to Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong.. they will have stores with women's sizing if you need clothes in a pinch. Otherwise, I'm sure your hotel will have a tailor and you can get your current clothing taken in.

    An aside, I did not feel all that tall in China like I originally thought and I'm 5'7".

    The street food is fantastic! Enjoy.
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    If this is an emergency, hang up and dial 911
  • elisabeisme
    elisabeisme Posts: 308 Member
    Ooh! Just had a great thought! Probably can't buy new clothes, but I probably can get the clothes I have tailored pretty cheaply! Maybe I should go buy new clothes now (including a nice suit or two) with an eye to get them tailored!!!!!!!!!
    Tailors in the east are fantastic and inexpensive. Not sure where in China you will be but I've been to great tailors in HK and in Shanghai. I haven't tried Beijing, but I'm sure there are some great ones there too.

    I would take all your favorite 12s that are already in your closet but getting loose and get them all taken in while you are there. Will be a lot less expensive than buying 10s in the US. I would take the 12s because it's easier for a tailor to size down than to size up. Also, if you are tall, the extra length will be good and you'll get a really great fit.

    If you have two 10s pants, you can just wear those for a couple days while the tailor is working. They are usually pretty quick because they are used to business tourists. Some will even come to your hotel for fittings.

    Also, they can make an entire bespoke suit from scratch for less than you'll buy in a store here.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    May have been asked already - but why are you packing a month in advance?
  • girllovedcupcakes
    girllovedcupcakes Posts: 109 Member
    Do you have any dresses you could pack instead? I only ask because I wear 99% dresses 1% pants and my dresses have gotten bigger on me but I know I would have gone down 2 pants sizes by now because I fit into the last pants I bought that were 3 sizes smaller than what I used to try on at the store lol.
  • maremare312
    maremare312 Posts: 1,143 Member
    A range of sizes plus a couple belts.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    a bajillion
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    It's usually 10 - 20lbs, depending where you carry your weight/how much you have to lose.

    I am usually one of those 20 pound loss to a drop in clothing size people. :(
  • dawLs
    dawLs Posts: 84
    I used to live in China and I had a hard time finding pants. Thankfully I am more of a skirt kind of girl. I shopped at a lot of markets too and the sizes run reallllly small. And I am pretty little. However, you can still go to bigger chain stores and find clothing there that might work. Also, it depends where exactly you are going to in China. I lived in Jinan, which is the capital of Shandong province, but if you go to a city like Beijing or Shanghai you should be fine.
    I also had coworkers who relied on tailors. Some amazing work!
    If you have any questions let me know:) Feel free to add me as a friend. And enjoy China! I might be moving back in a month!
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    True, it is not an Actual emergency, but also not just idle curiosity. Not sure anyone would have clicked on this without that.

    I am not packing a month early. I am trying to determine if I can lose enough weight in time to buy new 10s that fit me. Hence the question of about how many pounds I had left to lose...

    I will be living in an apartment on mainland china in Zhuhai about 3km from the Macau border and an hourish ferrey from Hong Kong. I will be on a per diem not on expenses, so spending the night in HK to have tailoring done is pretty much out of the question. Too expensive!

    Dresses and skirts are also out of the question. I am an engineer and will be on a manufacturing line surrounded by men. It would not be very practical or appropriate for my work day. Otherwise, it would be a good option.
  • Rogstar
    Rogstar Posts: 216 Member
    I totally hear you on the needing pants thing. I work in engineering too, and feel out of place just putting makeup on around the guys, let alone dresses and skirts. And I won't walk into the shop with high heels on!

    Unfortunately as you've seen in other posts, everyone is different...and it depends on where you're shedding the pounds. I started here around Memorial Day at around 240 (size 18...encroaching 20). I just hit 208, and I don't know my pant size. I've been putting off shopping because I don't want to find something cute I (hopefully) won't be wearing in 3 months. But...my pants are huge! I have to do something this weekend! Goodwill and Kohl's, here I come!

    What I've decided to do for this major shopping trip is find things that fit (maybe a little tight) and wear them through until I drop at least 2 more pant sizes and then I can go on another huge shopping trip. I've been swimming in these 18s for the last couple months...I bet if you get things that fit you perfectly (or are a little tight) you will be able to get through your trip with what you get. Not sure how long your extended trip is, but that could probably last you a couple of weeks to a month. And you could always use belts!

    If you're not a belt person (I am not!), you could wear stretchy tanks to compress the waist of the pants against you...it usually keeps the pants in their place for me. What is bugging me now is how huge the pant legs are around my thighs!

    Anyway, have a great time and don't worry too much about it. I'm sure you'll be in 10s by then...but whatever you fit into the day you leave will probably suffice when you get back (even if they don't quite look the same!). Have a great time!
  • AmyFett
    AmyFett Posts: 1,607 Member
    I remember watching Oprah one day and she said there was about a 10lb difference. I am the same size and height as you and I am shooting for a 10 lb loss to get back in my size 10s by Thanksgiving.

    I must be weird. 20 lbs now and still wearing my 16's I was 20 lbs ago. Sure, they're a bit looser, but they stay up on my belly. It depends how you carry your weight, your height, all that jazz.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    I've lost 20 lbs - actually a little over but it doesn't count until my weigh in day Friday. My clothes fit EXACTLY the same - not even the slightest bit looser. Everyone is different.

    Maybe get some pants w/a little stretch to them that are more forgiving between sizes. I got some cute ones at Macys recently...