Do You Really Go down a Dress Size When You Lose 10 Pounds?

I have never changed sizes over ten pounds except when I was already fairly thin. My weight has ranged from 125 lbs to 200 lbs and the only time a size was 10 lbs was when I was 125 to 135. I am 5 ft 8 so maybe it also has something to do with height. But the most import thing is that you see the difference in how you feel and look in the mirror the change is slow but it was slow to gain as well.

I understand how you feel. I lost 100 lbs and my clothing sizes didn't change as much as I thought they should have. When you have a large wt loss you gain loose skin. All that loose skin has to go somewhere in clothing. That is why my sizes didn't change as much over all. My cup size and shirt size from shoulders to waist went down,but all of the hanging skin made my pant size drop then stay where it is. It is frustrating to not see clothing sizes change all that much,but the over all goal is to be healthy and live longer. Those goals don't have a "size" attached to them. Good luck and cut out those size tags. You are a beautiful person not a dress size.

I don't think that it is quite accurate, just an approximation. Based on your beginning weight, if you lost 130 down to 172, you would be in a size zero -- that just isn't accurate. Plus, it would also depend on where you carry your weight, where you loose it first, etc. I also think that the 10 lb per size was probably talking about people who have just 10 lb to lose.

Congratulations on your weight loss! I know from experience that having come so far yet still so far to go is very frustrating! Just stay positive and take it 5 or 10 pounds at a time...Good luck!

First of all...congratulations! 70 lbs is awesome... I think it just depends. How's your exercise? Sometimes it's not about how much you lose, but how you tone. Maybe you need to amp up your toning.

Good luck,
Jenn

I had heard that, too, but have found it to be untrue. I started out at 230, size 22. When I got down to 190 with lots of exercise, I was size 16. I'm now approaching 170, and am size 14. Seems the size change is all over the board. All I know is I've been able to get rid of my CPAP for sleep apnea, my blood pressure medicine has been cut in half, and I feel better than I have in a long time. If the fashion industry decides to play with the sizes again, have at it! Gals like you and I will keep plugging away at our goals, and simply wear what fits, right? Congratulations, and keep up the good work!

Losing 10 pounds does not actually mean you will lose a dress size. The first few pounds you lose will mean that due to the fact a great deal of the weight may be water or just fluid of some sort. After that, it depends on your body and which areas you are losing the weight. You have done great, just continue with what you are doing. You might never reach that magical size but you have added years to your life and that was your goal.

Good luck,
D.

D., I can't really answer your question, but I do want to give you congratulations on your weight loss. I do have a question for you,though. I am about your weight before you began your weight loss. Could you tell me what worked for you? Like you, I also have kids (3), and I think that they deserve to have a healthy mom who will be there all the way. My mom is overweight and at only 53 yrs. old already has a lot of health issues. I don't want that for myself. Any advice would help! Thanks in advance.

Try not to listen to what other people say. Maybe they do go down 1 dress size for every ten pounds but I NEVER have. This particular time, which will be the last time because I am diabetic now and can't go back to the old ways, I have lost 48 pounds. So if I lost a size for every ten pounds lost I would be down 5 sizes. I am down 2 on the bottom and almost 3 on the top. I am just thrilled to be getting smaller and seeing things that were too small now be way too big. Take a big breath and jump for joy that you have lost 70 pounds so far and keep going. Don't try to go to fast either. The faster you lose it the easier it goes back on. Comparing ourselves with others is always a bad idea. In the same amount of time and eating all kinds of things that are bad for him, my husband has lost 70+ pounds. It is disgusting. But all of our bodies are different. Congratulations on your loss.

D.: Stop focusing on clothing sizes and keep focused on your weight loss....that's what it's all about really. No one size is the same from manufacturer to manufacturer. The fact that you've lost so much weight already is the important thing. Your heart and body know how much smaller you are, and really, a size 16 jean is not what weight loss is about; it's about keeping yourself healthy so you're here for your family and most important, yourself. Keep up the good work.

There is alot of frusteration when it comes to weight loss- try to not focus on all the "sayings" and way things are supposed to work and focus on what works for you. Every body is different and loses weight in it's own way. What works for one isn't going to work for another.

Awesome accomplishment on 70 lbs though! Way to go! Be proud of that and move on- keep going! You can do it!!

Congratulations, D.!!
Keep up the good work and get to your goal.
Ya know I am not sure how it works. When I was in High
School and weighed 110pds, I wore a size 7. When I had
my kids I weighed between 125 t0 170 and ranged from a
size 8 to a size 14. Now I weigh around 145 to 150 and
wear a size 8 or 10. So I am not sure what the formula is.
It is definitely strange. I believe as long as you feel
healthy and you are exercising and eating right. Then you
must be doing something right.
Hang in there and it sounds like you are doing great!!

Good Morning D.. Way to Go Lady!!! I am so proud and happy for you .. You Rock Girl !!!

In my limited Opinion.. I think the diet and fashion people are in Cahoots with each other :) Cause I wear a 10-12 but if I believe them ( which I seldom do-I don't diet)I would be in a 6-8. Now I do have a pair of sz 6 jeans (my moms) I can get into. I also have 12 petites I can wear. When laid together seam to seam, they look the same as my 12's. Go figure that one out. lol

I had heard a while back on one of the news shows that also does fashion news, that they had started to re size things. Their thinking was to change the way women look at size..
A girl or woman who normally wore size 6 would now wear size 4.

So I don't worry about size anymore. I grab men's jeans, 32x32's and I am in heaven and very comfy.

So my advice, Don't listen to the fashion folks and do your own thing. Stay on course as to what your doing to lose the extra weight and be totally happy with your amazing self!!

God Bless you always!!!! You Rock!!
K. Nana of 5

D., first congrats on the weight loss, don't stop now, seems like you are doing great!!!! Second, I've never heard that you drop a size for every 10 pounds you lose, like you if that were the case I'd be a size 8 to 10 myself, but I'm not. I am a size 14/16 (depends on the clothing label) and I weigh 188. I'm not ashamed of it and have hit another plateau, but am determined to lose the other 35 lbs I need to lose to possibly get off my meds. All that said, don't get discouraged. It's not about the size or the actual weight, it's about the accomplishment. The fact that you've lost so much to begin with is a great accomplishment. Keep going. I bet you feel better and have more energy too. I will probably never be smaller than a 12 and I'm good with that. I know my body size is large (I've got my dads huge bone structure) so I'll never be the single digit size, but I'd be happy with the 12 right now. I'm not giving up and neither should you. I wish I could say I've lost 70 pounds since September, but I've only lost 15. I've been losing since 03, just super slow. Just please don't get discouraged. You'll get into the 16's soon enough, if you don't skip them completely. All clothes are not created equal...every brand size is different, so don't get discouraged. Okay, I'm starting to repeat myself and I'm sure you've heard enough. Good luck on your weightloss journey and may God Bless you along the way.

I have never heard that saying and I don't like it either. But, I have some good news for you, I weigh a little less than you do, I have just started a weight loss program myself, I have dropped 11 pounds so far in the past month, but honey, I am still a size larger than you. I don't know that I could squeeze into a 18 yet so that is a great accomplishment in itself, I am very proud of you and you are now another inspiration to add to my weight loss journey. And, the fact that you have lost so much already, that is absolutely wonderful! Don't let this silly saying discourage you one bit, you are doing a great job. Best of luck to you!

Hi D.,
It really does depend on the manufacturer, and if you are loosing weight proportionately, also I believe that dress sizes run different than jean sizes. I always wore a smaller dress size than I did in jeans. I have lost 40 lbs due to lap band surgery, and I have went from 335 lbs to 295 lbs and I went from a size 32 to a size 24 or 26 depending on the manufacturer. If the size 16 is that important to you I suggest the A.N.A Jeans from J.C. Penney. They are the ones I wear a 24 in, and they are comfortable. I agree though if you stay focused on your weight loss eventually you will get there. You might even skip the 16 and go straight to a 14, if you stop focusing on the size issue so much! Good luck!
M.

Hello D. , frist off congrads on the wieght lost I also have lost 65lbs I was 250 now I'm down to 185,I don't know about that lose 10 go down a dress size because if that was the case I should be at least a size 8 and thats not the case lol just hang in there.

D.: maybe if one is already slim they can go down a dress size for every 10 pounds, but it's never worked for me either. The last time I lost 10 pounds, I went down a cup size and that's it. Although my pants were a little roomier, I still wore the same size. And although my bra size went down, my shoulders are set as far apart as they've always been. I still wear the same size shirt only the buttons aren't tugging over my breasts anymore. The only time I've ever actually lost inches (not just fat) was when I actually exercised.

I used to have a Cindy Crawford video that I worked out to. When I did that consistently, my body actually changed (the whole thing, not just my "cups"). I didn't diet, I just did about a 40 minute workout daily for about 3 months. I did lose some weight also, but I lost inches in all the right places. If your able, perhaps you could start an exercise regime that targets the areas you want to tone. There are plenty of options other than videos but, I'm not a gym person and can't afford a personal trainer. I bought several different videos that I really didn't care for before I found Cindy. There were 3 different workouts on the tape. Each had exercises for that target specific areas like upper body, core, and lower body. Two of the workouts were 40 minutes and there was also a 20 minute workout. The thing I like about the video workout is that you can do it at your convenience, you don't have to buy anything additionally, you can invite friends (or not), you don't have to dress up, and there's just a one-time fee (the purchase of the video)!

Good luck!

Don't let little rules like that discourage you. No one persons body is the same so there is no way that saying could be correct. 70 pounds is something to be very proud of!!! Congratulations! Just keep it up and keep your eye on those size 16 jeans. You will get there before you know it. Once you get there set your sights on a 14. You can do it!! Good luck and congrats again!!

CONGRATS on your weight loss, keep up the great work!

Unfortunately, it depends on a lot of factors too. When I diet with lots of exercise I lose quite a bit inches and size wise. This last few years I've hurt myself so badly with all kinds of exercise programs, I decided to diet only without exercise. I have lost 34 pounds and yes, I am doing well. BUT, I've only gone from my size 20's being tight to my 18's being comfortable to a bit lose. I probably could pull on today's vanity size 16's. But they would not be comfortable yet. Also, when I started I was spilling out of my size 40 bras and now I am just barely able to wear the 38 bras and they are still tight. I feel like I should be a lot further a long. I am able to walk now without hurting too badly. So now maybe the sizes will start to follow.

Suzi

You've already received a lot of great advice, I just wanted to add my CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss!! Keep up the great work - people like you are an inspiration to us all!

Congratulations! I know how frustrating it is to be working so hard towards that goal and not be able to reach it. Some things to consider: 1) Different brands have different sizes. A 16 at Lane Bryant isn't the same size as a 16 at the Gap. 2) Sometimes the same product at the same store will fit differently in the same size. Old Navy is a perfect example. I buy the exact same jeans there all the time. Sometimes I'm a 12, sometimes I'm a 14. 3) Over the last 30 years, the fashion industry has changed the dimensions on clothes so a size 6 in 1970 is now a size 10. 4) Your body shape is never the same after you have kids. I was always skinny when I was younger and then I started working and really put on weight. I lost a bunch of it and was able to get back to a size 10, which was my goal, but then I had a baby. I will never be a 10 again, even if I lose everything and more. My body is just a different shape now.

I say all of this because while a certain size is a good goal, sometimes it's just not attainable, through no fault of your own. Maybe now that you've done so well, you can change your goal to something equivalent to that size, but not referenced the same way? The only other suggestion I have is, you didn't mention if you were exercising to lose the weight, but if not, toning your muscles may help you reshape your body to fit into your clothes differently. Best of luck!!!

Okay, here's my take. Add up all the weight you lose and drop the last number (or divide by ten). That is the actual number by which your size should decrease. In your case, you lost 70 pounds, so take your starting size and subtract 7....so 26 minus 7 equals 19.....in this case you are really ahead in a size 18!! Yes, manufacturers vary a little (sometimes a lot), so I like to think in terms of a size RANGE instead of an exact number. You are now a 16-20.

I have some experience with weight fluxuations, and this is what I have learned from my own weight struggles. You lose a size NUMBER from each ten pounds, not an actual size. However, European sizes are vastly different, so maybe if you bought imported clothing, you would see that "10 pounds per size" thing ring true.

BTW: Congratulatons on your accomplishments! Don't give up!

I just want to add my congratulations on losing 70 pounds! I live by the philosphy that how I feel is more important than the label in my clothes. If they fit and I feel good, then I try not to get hung up on the size. Keep going, stay positive and be proud of what you have accomplished!

For me , I believe it has to do with body structure. I, too, am on a heatly lifestyle journey, trying to lower my weight as well as making better life choices. But when I was younger, and very healthy, I was never the size that I was "supposed" to be in. At 5'8" with a large bone structure (verified by my doctor as such) and weighing in at 150 pounds, I was never able to wear anything smaller than a size 10. When comparing myself to those around me (my siblings) who were similar in wieght, but with smaller bone structures, I found that they were wearing at least one , sometime two sizes smaller than me. I now know that I will never be a petite person and have come to accept that. I also know that thinking that if I just worked harder at it and lost more weight, that I could become that size, is part of why I now have weight issues. So take pride in the success you have had and be delighted with the strides you have made in being a healthier person. Completely disregard the numbers that can overwhelm a person, if allowed. Measure your success in the ability to play with your kids and furturte granchildren! By the way...Congrats on the success you have had. Care to share how you did it? I am struggling, but perservering. I use Sparkpeople and Real Age...but there are those days, weeks were I fall away and feel like I have failed.

Congratulation on your weight loss!! I can tell you from my experience after having my daughter, I have lost 6 dress sizes but only 24 lbs. I have been working out with weights 2-3 days a week and I think that while I have lost dress sizes, I am more dense with muscle mass. My body fat % went from 29% to 12% now. I think it depends on if you convert some of that weight from fat to muscle. At least it did in my case. I hope this helps.

I have not heard that and I lost 15 lbs and didn't lose a dress size and wore basically the same clothes they just felt better and not as tight as they were when I was 15 lbs heavier. I did feel healthier when I lost weight.

That only works if you're small to start with and have the perfect measurements. I know I'd lost 50 lbs at one point and only dropped two sizes... Focus on how much better you feel rather than the size of your clothes. I'm a 20 right now and would love to be a 16 (or shoot, I'd love to weight less than 200lbs), but I'm, looking at needing to lose a lot of weight to reach that goal and it is quite difficult to just simply get started. I'd love to hear what you are doing...with three kid in the house always eating how do you manage? I have four kids that eat all the time...it's hard to grab celery when they are eating ice cream...lol Great job! Keep up to good work and don't get frustrated now...You acheived a lot...Be proud.