Clothing sizes! Is it a conspiracy?

claraluz · 01-21-2004, 02:37 PM

I've lost 37 pounds which is exactly one third of what I have to lose. So that's good. I'm happy, I'm satisfied, etc. BUT. . .I am still wearing the same clothes. I've tried on some of my clothes in the next smaller size, but they are still too tight. It's a small matter, but it's frustrating. A companion issue is that only a few people have noticed - and they only made tentative remarks as though they weren't quite sure. I know from past weight loss experience that when I can move to a smaller size, it will be more noticeable, but when, when, when will that be?

Nancy

donali · 01-21-2004, 02:46 PM

Nancy -

How frustrating. I thought every 10-15 pounds was a size or so, so you should definitely be seeing some results in that department by now!

I will say one thing from my own point of view - my clothes had been so well worn (and were of such a stretchy nature) that the 28+/30s I was wearing had undoubtably been stretched to be more like 30s/32s, so it seemed to take me an inordinate amount of time to be able to fit into a brand new pair of 26s. However, now that I'm into "new" clothes, the sizes are going down more like I expect. Perhaps this is the case for you as well?

Another possibility (I'm just throwing this out there based on a post I read from someone else) - are you getting in enough protein so that the weight you're losing is fat and not muscle? The gal I'm referring to posted that she was losing weight, but was actually gaining INCHES, because is turned out she was substituting fat for muscle. That may be something you want to check out as well.

Either way, eventually everyone is going to notice how great you're doing! In the meantime, enjoy becoming the new you, babystep at a time.

tellie · 01-22-2004, 05:37 AM

I dont know if this is going to help but here it goes. The clothes I am wearing now ( and that I was wearing 15 pounds ago), were actually bought to fit me when I weighed 20 pounds less than I do today ( thats 35 pounds to my biggest). I refused to buy bigger clothes so I used them anyway ( mostly non stretch pants and semi stretchy tops) defying natural laws (and 8 months of pregnancy)! Now, the reason why this is possible is something that the lady who used to make clothes for me (back in Mexico) explained to me: apparently larger sizes require well, larger everythings. The allowances made for the clothes (specially non stretch pants) to fit in every position( sitting, standing, bending, leg up, yoga pose, arms stretched or whatever) are quite big. The bigger the size, the bigger the allowance, therefore a size 24 is more likely to fit a size 26, than a 22 to fit a size 24.
I really hope I made sense. Don't worry, check the protein thing just in case, but you are doing great and you'll be able to use the smaller size in no time!
And don't worry about other people not noticing, they will!
tellie

01-22-2004, 09:51 AM

I've gone down 6 or 7 sizes in jeans but only 3 sizes in shirts because I still have a stomach. Which I'm pretty sure I'll need a tummy tuck for. Maybe that's an issue for you? I know I hate shopping.

BEBBLY · 01-22-2004, 11:36 AM

This is so wiered. I was thinking about the same "size" issue last night. I have lost 42lbs. and am very close to my goal. Yet I can wear the same jeans that I wore 40 lbs. ago!

The problem is that I bought stretchy jeans, which are as comfortable as can be. But they also stretch with you and allow you to gain weight without really noticing. Granted now they fit looser but they still fit.

With my regular fabric cloths I can see a big difference. So may be its the stretch thats causing you to feel you are still in the same size.

One thing is for sure, no matter how stubburn the weight, you know that sooner or later it's going to come down and you will conqure it once and for all.

Mary

claraluz · 01-22-2004, 05:39 PM

Thanks ladies! I do think the stretch in the clothes is probably a factor and also maybe the extra "allowance" in the larger sizes. That makes sense.

Nancy