I know what you are saying. I am the same. I change sizes every 20-25 lbs. That's a long time to wait and see and feel a difference. I just lost 12 -14 LBS and other than having a little bit smaller stomach nothing changed. But I know after another 5-10 lbs my pants will be looser. So, just don't get discouraged and keep at it. After the first 40 lbs and the first size change you will need 5 lbs less than before to change sizes and so on. Don't be sad! Hugs!

hineybuns wrote: »

Hey all! I'm pretty new to this group but have been ketoing since before Christmas. I tend to obsess if I weigh daily or weekly so I'm trying to just weigh once a month but I'm tracking my measurements weekly instead. Up until recently I was just tracking on an excel sheet at home.

The way I gain/lose weight is kind of a blessing and a curse. I gain and lose weight very evenly over my body. This is great if I gain weight as I can stay in the same size clothes for a very long time but it's also a curse on the other side as it takes me upwards of 40 pounds to drop a size! (Currently working on getting out of my 20 and into an 18) It's super discouraging to see the numbers go down and down both on the scale and on the tape measure and to still be the same pant size! Everyone comments on how great I'm looking but it's hard for me to internalize that and feel good myself when all I'm seeing is that despite my hard work for months I haven't been able to reach this tangible change! I have a good handful of pants that I can't wait to get back into and everyone keeps telling me "5 more pounds and you'll have it", but when I know I'm at least 15-20 pounds away from it still, I get kinda depressed. I've gotten much better about comparing myself to others' speed of loss (I get 1-2 lbs a week which is good, solid and steady but I don't know if I'll ever stop hoping for a couple 4 or 5 pound weeks!)

Anyone have suggestions for NSVs to look for? I think finding small victories whenever I can will help keep me encouraged while I work towards the smaller pant size.

I will just say that for those of us who lose disproportionately, which the slow size changes may be annoying to you, changing sizes what seems like every 5 minutes, but only in some things, is almost as infuriating! Besides, by doing it steadily, it's easier to maintain!

It was a full year and 35 pounds before I could fit in the next size down, and then I had a muffin. Now 45 pounds down, those same clothes finally fit. Fifteen months from beginning until I pulled those pants on comfortably.

I lost weight in my hands and neck far faster than anywhere else. Heck, I have elbows now. Changing sizes though? Not so much.

^^ great advice.

But hey, the larger sizes have more pounds between them, and as you go down, you'll notice the difference doesn't take as long. For example, now that I'm wearing smaller sizes, it doesn't take much at all (5 lbs or so) to make things too darn tight. I know this because I just came back from an indulgent vacation 6# up, and my clothes are tight when they were not before I left. For reference, I now wear a 4 or 6, and some things an 8. Focusing on the number is never good because manufacturers are all different and it isn't really that important in the grand scheme of things. I hope that doesn't come across like I'm invalidating your feelings, because I'm not. I've been where you are. I had to lose about 20 lbs before anyone even noticed. That was frustrating. And my clothes size didn't change for a long time, but all of a sudden, I couldn't wear anything because it was all hanging off me. Maybe your clothes are looking baggier than you can see right now. It does take time for the mind to catch up. I'm pretty much at goal, but I still grab the wrong sizes when shopping, and I don't see yet, what everyone else does. It's getting better, though.

Some NSVs to look for:
more prominent collar bones
underwear getting too big
being able to do things you couldn't do before without being out of breath
better sex
a youthful glow from eating so well
less hunger and cravings
inches lost (you said you have this already)
belt notch going down

And always be grateful and congratulate yourself on your victories, because that is exactly what they are, and you deserve recognition for your continued efforts.

Congrats on your loss, and I can't wait to see your Success Story.