Question - dress sizes

Shant1llyLace
Shant1llyLace Posts: 10
edited November 8 in Motivation and Support
I want to know how many others out there are in the same boat I am.

Even though I was 102kg, I wore size 18. Now I have lost 18kg I am a size 16. Who else lost this much weight and barely moves a dress size?

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    It took me around 20 lbs to go down one size at first. I started around your same starting point (202.5 lbs and size 16w.) Now that I am much smaller, there are fewer pounds between sizes.
  • Charliecatesq
    Charliecatesq Posts: 100 Member
    i would assume height and fat distribution is a factor?
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    I lost 51 lbs and lost 3 US dress sizes. I lost 2 of those dress sizes in the most recent 15 lbs lost.

    Height is a major factor here, as is percentage weight lost. I've lost 51 lbs, but I'm 5'11. That's 23.7% weight lost and I'm still in the "Normal" range. If someone is 5'5 and lost 50 lbs, she'd be closer to losing 1/2 her body weight (which translates to way more dress sizes lost).

    Fat distribution is a major factor. When I wear bodycon dresses, I go up a size because my hips are where I store a lot of my weight.

    Another factor is skin. When I've rapidly lost weight, it takes my skin a little while to catch up. I've noticed that the scale shows the loss first, then the inches come a little later.

    As you lose more weight, the difference between sizes becomes much smaller. A US size 10 and a US size 12 might only be a 5-10 lb difference, while a US size 16 and US size 18 are probably closer to 15-25 lbs.
  • Shant1llyLace
    Shant1llyLace Posts: 10
    edited November 2014
    AH I'm short, 5'4" if I"m lucky. :) I'm not sure about dress sizes here in Australia. haven't really thought about it, although the distribution of weight must have been fairly even as most people were surprised at my weight when they found out.

    So figuring it out I was almost 227lbs and I am now 185lbs so lost 42lbs.

    But it is interesting to see what is happening with others. Thank you.
  • TropicalParaMonster
    TropicalParaMonster Posts: 151 Member
    I've lost 40lbs and I probably only went down 2 dress sizes. I often use this dress size calculator: http://www.dresssizecalculator.com
    It requires measurements rather than weight. You'll find sometimes a lot of the places you'll lose weight is around the bum, arms, legs that may not affect the dress size calculations. So just try to measure up! :)
  • NoelFigart1
    NoelFigart1 Posts: 1,276 Member
    Since clothing sizes for women aren't even close to standard, I think that it would be the most inaccurate and disheartening metric to use when discussing body size and weight loss.

    I say this as someone who does sew. I cannot tell you how many people I've made costumes for that FLIP OUT when I take their measurements then tell them to buy a specific size pattern. (Sewing patterns are not vanity sized like off the rack clothing, you see). I offer to sew a size six tag into it, but have rarely made anyone happy from that snark.

    Keep in mind, also that because body shapes vary so much in the plus size range, they're usually made with a lot more design ease (fat spreads when you sit, ferinstance, so tight jeans won't be wearable, even if cut to exact measure). That design ease means there are more inches between sizes than there are in clothing that is not plus-sized.

    The standard wisdom is that once you get below a size 12, that it's ten lbs to a dress size. But if you're working out and putting on muscle, that gets blown out of the water, as someone who is 20% body fat and weighs 145 is smaller than someone who is 29% body fat of the same height and weighs the same. (Muscle takes up less volume than fat)

    The only size metric that will be of any use to you is a measuring tape.
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    edited November 2014
    Shant1llyLace wrote: »
    AH I'm short, 5'4" if I"m lucky. :) I'm not sure about dress sizes here in Australia. haven't really thought about it, although the distribution of weight must have been fairly even as most people were surprised at my weight when they found out.

    Looks like AUS sizes are the same as UK sizes, which are actually about 2 even numbers higher than US sizes.

    clothing_size_chart.gif

    I'm a US size 10 now. I fit in my UK size 12-14 dresses. If you want to feel awesome, use US size numbers ;)
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    maybe try lowering your bodyfat and not just your weight? dont worry - though - i have some good news.

    There is a HUGE different in size between an 18 and a 16, trust me, Im coming from a size 24.

    BUT the difference between sizes like 8 and 10 and between 10 and 12 are a handful of pounds, not a GIANT LEAP. those sizes will drop faster when they are smaller. It took me 40 pounds to go from a 24 to an 18, but it took me 6 pounds to go from a 10 to an 8 :D
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    NoelFigart1 wrote: »
    Since clothing sizes for women aren't even close to standard, I think that it would be the most inaccurate and disheartening metric to use when discussing body size and weight loss.

    I say this as someone who does sew. I cannot tell you how many people I've made costumes for that FLIP OUT when I take their measurements then tell them to buy a specific size pattern. (Sewing patterns are not vanity sized like off the rack clothing, you see). I offer to sew a size six tag into it, but have rarely made anyone happy from that snark.

    Keep in mind, also that because body shapes vary so much in the plus size range, they're usually made with a lot more design ease (fat spreads when you sit, ferinstance, so tight jeans won't be wearable, even if cut to exact measure). That design ease means there are more inches between sizes than there are in clothing that is not plus-sized.

    The standard wisdom is that once you get below a size 12, that it's ten lbs to a dress size. But if you're working out and putting on muscle, that gets blown out of the water, as someone who is 20% body fat and weighs 145 is smaller than someone who is 29% body fat of the same height and weighs the same. (Muscle takes up less volume than fat)

    The only size metric that will be of any use to you is a measuring tape.
    This and this!
  • Shant1llyLace
    Shant1llyLace Posts: 10
    Great advice and encouragement from everyone. Thank you very much!

    My exercise routine is very much mixed up, with cardio and strength training. I have 5 daughters to keep up with so I think cardio is important as well as the strength training to tone everything. I have been muddling through sorting out what works for me. I use what I have at home and will be going back to c25k very shortly. I like to jog at night and my dog needs a new collar. As I moved to a new area as well I am not game to really go without her. But I have been able to jog on the spot with the Wii.

    I know I must be improving as my ex (girls dad) has been eyeing me off. Not that I want him back but it's nice to be able to smile and know the one he left me for is now heavier than I am and I'm looking better each week. :) Revenge can be a motivational force at times. Not the sole motivation but it can help.

    Woohoo So I'm a US 10-12, who knew? lol Now to get to an Australian 10.

    I do use the tape measure, I measure weekly. It is always interesting to see what is happening.

    I am adjusting to exercising regularly, I tend to be a fidget anyway so heading the fidgeting into exercise wasn't too painful. And when I don't want to exercise I tell myself just do... and I will do that particular exercise and end up doing more. It works. If one day I don't do more that's ok, I still would have done my bit. I even move on rest days. Maybe not work out but right now I am moving 6 -7 days a week but working out 4-5.

    Watching those calories helps too.

    Thanks again everyone.


  • SassenachJones
    SassenachJones Posts: 15 Member
    NoelFigart1 wrote: »
    I offer to sew a size six tag into it, but have rarely made anyone happy from that snark.

    HAHA!

  • grandmothercharlie
    grandmothercharlie Posts: 1,356 Member
    Clothing manufacturers also can have huge differences in the same country. It all depends on their average customer. If a company tends to attract larger customers, the numbers on their sizes are lower. Like Noel said, "vanity sizes."
  • MamaRiss
    MamaRiss Posts: 481 Member
    I would have to agree with what other ladies have said, with bigger sizes it takes a bigger loss to go down a size, the smaller you get fewer pounds are needed to go between sizes. I had to go shopping today for new jeans, even though it wasn't too long ago that I bought US size 6 pants, they were just getting way too loose to look decent. So my first thought was to grab the 4's, but they were still too big, went down to size 2 for a perfect fit. 2 sizes difference, but only 10 lbs. At the beginning of my journey, it seemed to take 20 pounds before I even noticed my clothes getting loose. Of course if I went to the jumiors section I would still be a 5 or 7
  • canadjineh
    canadjineh Posts: 5,396 Member
    edited November 2014
    BTW, Canadian sizes are actually up 1 from US sizes - so for instance a size 2 US is actually a 4 in Canada. I shop in both countries and online for UK and Italian clothes so I have a huge range of numbers to look at, even though they are the same measurements. Its a pain in the @ss, tiny or large, lol.
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