How much weight to lose to get down one size?

I've heard others claim that one ladies size was about 10-15 lbs, but it will depend on where you lose that weight from. I went from an xl to an m on top, and 14 to 12 on bottom. 18lbs. Then i went to a size 7/8 bottom and same m on top after the next 15 lbs.

That seems to make sense with me on when I gain weight but not sure about losing. At one point I wore a size 16 in jeans when I was 215 pounds. Gained up to 225 pounds then lost it down to 215 again and still couldn't fit those size 16 jeans :sad: . After that I just lost hope and I'm back again now at 233 ( from 241 ) and trying not to lose hope again.

This time I'm trying dieting with more exercise and weights. Hoping it will equate to better results.

Just speaking from experience, I've lost a size around every 10-20 pounds. I fit into my size 16 jeans again at 205-210 pounds, and I'm now very comfortably (and a bit loosely) in size 14 pants at 195. At my lowest above-14-years-old weight, I was 145ish in a size 8, and when I gained weight that first time I was, at a point, 195 in a size 18. So all of that really depends, especially on things like muscle mass. I've found that if I'm focusing more on size than weight, I NEED to exercise more, lift more, and eat better foods, where if I want to just lose weight (which is rare, but I guess if I was a wrestler or something...), I need to simply focus on my calorie deficit.

At 220 pounds, I was in an XL, and I'm quite short. I'm sure you'll get there.

ETA: I rarely notice when it's time to move into a new size until I try that new size on for myself. My size 16 jeans do still fit, but after about 5 minutes, they're loose all over. I pulled on one of my favorite shirts the other day (in a size XL) that I have cut so it hangs off my shoulder and shows my tattoos, etc. Then I saw my reflection in the side of a building and told my friend I was roaming LA with that we needed to go to the mall, because I was NOT wearing that shirt to the concert we were about to go to. She laughed and said that shirt's been big on me for awhile now...I just never noticed.

If I drop 10-11 pounds, I go down a size.

There is no way to determine how you will lose and get in the next size down. I started at 240 and size 24...I am now 164 and size 8

At 170 I was in sizes 18/16/14...at 160 I was in sizes 14/12/10...I lift weights and I keep going down in sizes as the scale lately goes up. I say if you want to lose inches and go down in sizes, lift weights. But don't expect the scale to drop a ton. I lost pounds more by doing cardio but it took a lot more pounds lost to go down in sizes. Good luck in whatever you do and I hope you hit your goal!

I'm 5'4" and weight 140 and wear size 10/12. I hope to hit size 8 around the 134/135lb mark. HOPE. Is this a pipe dream?

IMO the women's sizes (14W, 16W, 18W, 20W, 22W, 24W etc. and 1X, 2X, 3X etc.) accommodate a much larger range of weight than the regular women's sizes. There have been similar discussion on MFP where women have said that they wore the same size jeans between 240 and 300 pounds, for example. Of course some jeans are made with lots of spandex! Generalizing, I'd say its more like 15 to 20 pounds per size in the "W" sizes, both in pants and tops.

This thread is making me want to go clothes shopping! Today my trend weight hit 10 lbs less than my starting weight 5 weeks ago. My size 18 pants have been feeling looser, but I've been too scared to try on 16's yet. It took me way longer than 5 weeks to move from a 16 to an 18, so it feels unreal that I could already be able to go back to my 16's. It would be really nice, though.

As far as non-numbered clothing, though, I bought some workout clothes recently (when I was down only maybe 7 lbs) and was surprised that I was able to buy them in an XL instead of an XXL. It was extremely gratifying, although with workout clothes being cut differently, it's hard to say what size I'd be if I were buying something to wear to work or whatever.

I don't think a 2XL to an XL is a difference of a single size. Clothes in general sizes like Medium, Large, etc... are a range of sizes. Besides, sizing in clothing varies so much from brand to brand that just finding a smaller size that fits doesn't necessarily mean you got any smaller. With vanity sizing, your clothing sizes can go down just by staying the same physical size.

Stick with more consistent size measurements like a measuring tape at several locations that you can track over time.

There still is no simple one size fits all answer for how much weight loss equals an inch around your waist, hips, etc... You lose weight all over, but it usually takes longer to see it in the areas where people most want to see it.

Thanks I figure that weights will help with this. I'm lifting weights along with cardio hoping exactly for this. Basically hoping to see inches lost and not necessarily weight.

I'm not sure if anyone can help me with this but I'm lifting weights along with cardio. I thought at first this would accomplish muscle to be built but earlier today was told I can't build muscle while eating at deficit.

I guess my question then is. Will lifting weight while trying to loose weight accomplish a lost in inches faster than just cardio?

Normally you can not gain muscle while in a deficient EXCEPT when just starting to lift. It won't be a ton but definitely enough to make a difference. From the different things I have read this is the one and only time it could happen, so best to take advantage.

First, I'm down about 50lbs. I went from a snug size 16 jeans to a loose 14/slim with that difference. I'm "pear shaped", so my shirts are usually a medium, with a noticeable difference between my waist and hips at around a large in workout pants. (I used to wear a medium/large shirt with XL workout pants.)

I also think it's hard to predict, but maybe it's because of my shape.

Good luck with your goals!