Women: How many pounds to drop a pants size?

321blueeyes
321blueeyes Posts: 279 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all, I'm a longtime MFP user, back on the wagon. In the past 2 months, I've lost about 10 pounts... but I haven't yet been able to drop into a smaller size of pants (my closet is full of too-snug dress pants).

I'm curious what others find - how many pounds do you gain/lose that cause you to change size? 5 pounds, 10 pounds, more?

I'm guessing that your body shape makes a difference too - I'm a bit curvy with heavy thighs... so even when the waist is baggy, it's tight across the hips/thighs.

Sorry, haven't really been tracking my measurements as the scale has been inching downwards :bigsmile:
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Replies

  • init2fitit
    init2fitit Posts: 168 Member
    Pounds don't equate to pants size.
    Body composition does.
  • FJDodd
    FJDodd Posts: 140 Member
    When I lost my first 10 lbs I lost 1 pant size. Since then (the last 18~ lbs) I haven't seen any change in pant size at all. But my tops are looser. From what reading I have done, you cannot target 1 specific area for fat loss. But you can do weight lifting for a specific area in the hopes that as you build muscles in that area the fat will go away as well...
  • VelveteenArabian
    VelveteenArabian Posts: 758 Member
    Pants sizes aren't standard, so they will vary between stores, brands, models and cuts. For example, in some Old Navy pants I have to go up 2 sizes larger just because they're so low cut and I'm curvy. For higher cut pants, I can usually get a smaller size.
  • mkemmis73
    mkemmis73 Posts: 29 Member
    For me it's 20 lbs. I gain 20, I go up a size, I lose 20 I go down.
  • Kaylaef
    Kaylaef Posts: 194 Member
    I'm fortunate in the sense that I lose weight pretty evenly. I am also unfortunate because I gain it the same way. I am currently down 18lbs, and as of this weekend past, I am down a size. I am hourglass shaped. But there's definitely no set number.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Totally depends on your body shape. I'm not even the slightest bit close to going down a size yet.
  • fushigi1988
    fushigi1988 Posts: 519 Member
    a 20 pound weight gain, needed smaller pants.
    Yes, a GAIN, muscle mass. Need to wear a belt all the time now :P
  • neelia
    neelia Posts: 750 Member
    I started in a size 18 pants at 250 lbs. I now weigh 193 lbs and wear a 14. So, basically....over 50 lbs and just 2 pant sizes.
  • meglizbo
    meglizbo Posts: 42
    Zero pounds. I have changed pant sizes before without losing any weight. Clothes sizing is about body composition, and fat takes up more room than the same amount of weight in muscles do!
  • erinbartholomew5
    erinbartholomew5 Posts: 44 Member
    For me it's 20 lbs. I gain 20, I go up a size, I lose 20 I go down.

    Same here. For me it's pretty much "Gain 10 pounds, pants get tight but still wearable, gain 20 pounds, go up a size."
  • Cathalain
    Cathalain Posts: 424 Member
    I've noticed that when I don't drop any pounds at all, my size(s) will still go downward. I think it's because I'm toning up more than I am actually losing weight right now. My waist and chest measurement(s) have grown a LOT smaller in the last month, yet the scale still says the same thing.

    That's why I don't put total faith into what it actually says on the scale - it's just a number. It's a tool in my arsenal, along with a measuring tape.
  • Hauntinglyfit
    Hauntinglyfit Posts: 5,537 Member
    Body composition makes a difference, Bone structure and genetics (as in where you carry your fat) as well.

    I went from a way too tight size 8 (so more like a 10) at probably 155 to a size 4 at 135. I weigh 130 now, and will likely be in a size 2 at 125. I am a little over 5'5''. I have a big butt, tho, so who knows. I am fine with a size 4.
  • HanamiDango
    HanamiDango Posts: 456 Member
    Lost 55lbs so far, went from a 22 to an 18. About 5-10 mores pounds to fit into the 16 without a muffin top. So about 15lbs a size. But the weight on my belly will be the last to go. The inches are falling off very slowly there. :(
  • austinsneeze
    austinsneeze Posts: 220 Member
    It's different for everyone, I think. When I was 170, I was a size 13. When I was 160, I was an 11 (barely). I'm now 148 and fit comfortably in a size 8/9.
  • LianaG1115
    LianaG1115 Posts: 453 Member
    Pounds and Inches are 2 different measurements, I could lose 10 lbs of fat and still be the same size.
  • kksoucie
    kksoucie Posts: 18 Member
    My pants are getting looser after losing 9 pounds but can't fit into the next size yet. Keep up the great work!
  • BL_Coleman
    BL_Coleman Posts: 324 Member
    For me its usually ever 5-10lbs. But I am short. 5'1"

    At my SW of 155 I was a 10, by 145, and 8 and at 134 I am a solid 6. My goal weight is 125 and I expect to be a size 4.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I wore a 22 at 307 (albeit tight!) and a 22 at 262 (loose but a 20 still did not fit me).

    Then I skipped to an 18 from 240s all the way down to 200.

    Now I am around 195 and wear 14 and 16 both.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Pounds don't equate to pants size.
    Body composition does.

    This^^

    At 174 pounds I wore a size 12. I went down to 142 pounds, I wore a size 8. I went back up to 162 pounds, still a size 8. How can that be? Less fat.
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Pounds don't equate to pants size.
    Body composition does.

    This.

    At my highests (265-270lbs) I was a size 18w, got to a size 8 at 165lbs.
  • Bernadette60614
    Bernadette60614 Posts: 707 Member
    Are you trying on the same brand/fit of pants? That may seem like a silly ...or even stupid question...but women's sizing is all over the map.
  • IamBorg
    IamBorg Posts: 49 Member
    I started in a size 18 pants at 250 lbs. I now weigh 193 lbs and wear a 14. So, basically....over 50 lbs and just 2 pant sizes.

    At 250, I was in size 22. Now at 232ish, I'm in 18 or 20, depending on the brand. I started out wearing a size 24 at 285lbs.

    So this is what everyone is talking about when they say it depends on body composition. Given how tight the 18 is right now and my pattern right now, I'm guessing I won't go down another size tll I breach the 200lb barrier.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Are you trying on the same brand/fit of pants? That may seem like a silly ...or even stupid question...but women's sizing is all over the map.

    Mine are on the same type of pants. I always get the same brand/style when I find one I like and buy only those.
  • CeleryStalker
    CeleryStalker Posts: 665 Member
    For me, it's always been 10# per pant size. I'm 5'11 and carry my weight in my stomach.
  • Indiri13
    Indiri13 Posts: 104 Member
    In the beginning it was about 15 lbs per size (when I was in the 200s). Now that I'm down to around 160 it's more like 5-7 pounds for a size change (I'm currently a 6 or 8, depending on brand). I'm 5'10" and that will make a difference too, I suppose.
  • mom2cmb2x
    mom2cmb2x Posts: 24 Member
    Wow! you are doing well and you look great! Congratulations!
  • bumblebreezy91
    bumblebreezy91 Posts: 520 Member
    It was about ten pounds for me, actually. I still wear my 18s, but I could go buy some snug 16s if I wanted to (I can zip and button my 18s and pull them down/off without unzipping or unbuttoning them--but 16s are still a little snug, so I'm at this awkward in between size right now and a belt doesn't help with the pant legs being too baggy, so 5 more pounds and I'll go pants shopping). I'm 5'3.85" and 211.8 pounds.
  • ElyseL1
    ElyseL1 Posts: 504 Member
    it varies a lot. I have wider hips so im losing lot more in my shirts than in my pants. I've lost 56 lbs and went from a 14 to a 10/12 depending on brand.
  • avasano
    avasano Posts: 487 Member
    The data says about 7lbs is about an inch off the waist, one size down. If you have been building muscle tone your waist may have improved in tone but not trimed down yet. Keep up the good work, it will pay off.
  • claudie08
    claudie08 Posts: 154 Member
    I drop one pant size when I lose about 10 lbs., but because I''m curvy I see and feel it in my waist first.

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