Losing weight, but not clothes sizes.... why?

dsak
dsak Posts: 367 Member
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
OK... I know everyone is different, but... I've lost 31lbs, and I have only lost 1 size in clothes. I started in size 18 (and yes, some were tight fitting), and after 12 weeks I have only gone down to a size 16. The size 16 fits good in some clothes, and is tight in others. Seems crazy.

I have an 80lb weight loss goal, and I was hoping to get down to a size 8. At this rate, I'll still be a size 12!!!!! I've lost 2 inches in my chest, 3 inches in my waist and 3 inches on my thighs.

I've been doing 30ds for a week, and I have been walking/jogging 5-6 days a week since March. I've stepped up my cardio (was walking a 21 minute mile in the beginning... now I'm at 14:15).

Ugh... I went shopping for a new bathing suit yesterday since my size 18 is too big, but... the size 16s were too small. Just frustrating.

Anyone else going thru this same thing? Hoping my next 30lbs will provide better results

Replies

  • Sparksfly
    Sparksfly Posts: 470 Member
    The higher the clothing size, the larger amount of weight loss is needed to move between sizes. Once you get to a 10/12, 5-10 lb loss can move you between sizes.
  • laneybird
    laneybird Posts: 532 Member
    Yes! I am so with you! I have lost 19.5 lbs and am nowhere close to going down a pant size yet. I am starting to notice some difference, but it is kinda annoying when you see the scales go down but not your pant size. Just keep on working on it! I know that personally, because of my frame, I would probably never be a size 8... but maybe as you lose weight your inches will start melting away even more. I know I lost inches before I lost any weight.... Good luck!!
  • aaronbensonhaver
    aaronbensonhaver Posts: 1
    One, congrats on the weight loss you've had, even if you're not seeing the change in your clothes. You said you've measured inches lost, which is awesome too. All I can guess is you've gained lean muscle mass which can be bulky, but in a good way. It may be what's preventing the drop in clothing sizes. Also, as you lose weight, it redistributes through the body, so while inches may be lost here, they could be growing there. I have no idea what they physiology of this is, I have a degree in journalism, not medicine. But I've read study after study about people getting frustrated because they see inches lost but not pounds, or pounds but not inches, or pounds but not clothing sizes. I guess its part of the joys of having every body react differently. Maybe shake up the routine, change your cardio from jogging to elliptical or bike or something like that, or adjust your carb intake and focus more on protein. These are only guesses coming from someone who yo-yos a lot, but I hope it helps.
  • Kristy085
    Kristy085 Posts: 65 Member
    I've lost 26 pounds and finally went down one size! It's frustrating, I know! I don't really know what it's about. I hold alot of weight around my hips, so I can buy clothes a size smaller in the waist, but they won't go over my hips. Just keep on keepin' on...we will eventually see the results we want! Good luck!
  • libby328
    libby328 Posts: 287 Member
    I am going through the same thing right now... I think that it depends on your body shape though. I have 2 kids and no matter how skinny I could ever be there is no way I would ever get into smaller jeans then I wear right now (gotta love those hip) I still weight almost 20 pounds more then when i was at my smallest and even then i still wore the same size as i do right now! I would start measuring inches and see if that might be the problem
  • lissypriss
    lissypriss Posts: 157 Member
    It sounds like your weight loss is a total weight loss, meaning it's not just your waist that is slimming, but all areas at the sametime. I lose weight in my shoulders and chest area before anywhere else--very frustrating! Did you happen to measure your arms, neck, legs, chest and waist before your weight loss?? You might see other areas get smaller before the waist does. You may be losing from all areas at the same time, but I think that's normal. Just give it some time, it will fall off before you know it! :)
  • syates83
    syates83 Posts: 87
    Typically, I've heard that 16lbs = a dress size, so if that is correct, you are super close to going down to the next size!!! Hang in there, you are doing awesome! It also might have to do with where you are shopping. A Woman's/Plus Size store seems to run bigger than wearing a 16 in regular size clothing. If that makes sense. You are doing great, you'll get down to your size 8!
  • fitnesspirateninja
    fitnesspirateninja Posts: 667 Member
    I've lost 35 pounds and two sizes. I seemed to have gotten stuck between sizes after losing about 10 pounds and I'm kind of there again. It's really frustrating when everything is both too big and too small.

    I guess some people would disagree with me, but I don't think there's anything wrong with being a size 12. Weight loss goals and clothing size goals are kind of arbitrary numbers. You want to be fit and healthy - you can be that while wearing a size 12. I get really fixated on my weight and clothing size...but I don't want to be. I'm the healthiest I've been in years and I get complimented all the time about how fit I look.

    Good luck! Keep working at it and give yourself small goals and rewards! You'll get to your big goal in time.
  • stormieweather
    stormieweather Posts: 2,549 Member
    Fat loss comes from various places, not just bust, waist, hips, thighs.

    There are fat deposits around your organs (visceral=unhealthy!) and you may be losing some of that. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18594089/ns/health-fitness/t/thin-people-can-be-fat-inside/

    Also, you could be losing fat from feet, hands, ankles, neck, back, groin, ribcage, knees, etc. None of these will actually make much of a difference in clothing sizes, but it's a HUGE difference in how you look when you do lose clothing sizes.

    I haven't actually lost a bra size yet, but there is no more fat bulge by my armpits, I can feel my ribs under my breasts, and my back is firmer and less pudgy. My face is much different now...I have cheekbones and no double chin (unless I try!). Try measuring in more places than the standard. Take photos and compare them side-by-side. You'll be surprised at how much you are changing.

    Keep up the good work!

    Also, just 4 pounds ago, I tried on a smaller size. It was a struggle, but I got it on. Last night, I went and bought 4 pairs in that size. After getting home and trying them on, 2 of them are too big. Just 4 pounds. You never know which couple of pounds are going to make the difference.
  • dsak
    dsak Posts: 367 Member
    Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments. I'm going to try and measure more areas of my body as suggested too. I'm just going to keep plugging away.... keeping up with exercise and eating healthy. I know it will pay off eventually, and the smaller sizes will come. Frustrating, but... I guess it's part of the journey!!!
  • kimmerroze
    kimmerroze Posts: 1,330 Member
    The heavier you are the longer it takes to shift pant sizes... when you get down to your last thirty pounds you will probably lose anywhere from 3-4 pant sizes just then.

    don't get discouraged. When I finally got to my last 15 pounds I have shifted 3 pant sizes... Went from an eight to a four...

    So no worries.

    And about muscle... it doesnt "bulk you up" It cant untila good majority of your fat is gone, and you start hitting the weights really really hard. If anything weight lifting will only help you lose more inches faster so that you drop clothing sizes faster... a pound of muscle and a pound of fat take up different amounts of space... a pound of muscle takes up soooo much LESS space than a pound of fat. so keep weight lifting and you will see those results faster than just doing cardio.
  • casey12105
    casey12105 Posts: 293
    First of all, congrats on the weightloss! Second, I know exactly how you feel I've lost 26lbs and haven't lost a size yet and it can be vey discouraging. I'm hoping it's just like others say, if you have a lot to lose it takes a bit longer to get down in the sizes.
  • marnijojo
    marnijojo Posts: 235 Member
    Congratulations on your loss! My story is very similar to yours - I started in a size 18 (that were tight) and am now down to a 12; however, the move came very slow at first then seemed faster thru the 14 to the 12. I also lost a shoe size and a bra size.

    Its funny though how your body image changes. When I finally got to size 12, I was thinking I could be happy just staying here. I am still 20 lbs above a 'healthy weight", but after being stuck in a 5 lbs range for over 6 months and summer upon us, I am thinking I definitely need to lose that next 20 lbs! So, ONWARD and DOWNWARD!!
  • daisabelle
    daisabelle Posts: 74 Member
    I think it depends where you distribute your fat. I am a pear shape and have only gone down 1 dress size on bottom but have gone down 2 on top. 30lb is 30lb though so be proud!! :flowerforyou: Besides it's best to be going down rather than going up! :bigsmile:
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