How much before you drop a dress size?

[TisConfusion]

I started trying to lose weight in May after the birth of DC2. I've been finding it a real struggle and keep going off track so I've only lost 2 stone so far (want to lose another 3/3.5 stone) but I'm still in the same size clothing (size 16) as when I weighed 2 stone heavier. I used to think that a stone=a dress size.
Has this happened to anyone else?

[Mumonthesofa]

I've lost 37 pounds and am only just dropping a dress size (sorry) - but - I was a size 20 sometimes a 22 and am slowing starting to buy size 18 - so maybe this is nearly 2 dress sizes? Well done on your weight loss!

[QuimReaper]

I was thinking of making this thread the other day!

I'm amazed that you haven't gone down after 2 stone though, I was thinking people would come in at 7-10lbs.

Are you trying on sz14s and not being able to get into them?

Well done on your weight loss so far, an incredible achievement!

[FranklyMeDeer]

It really depends. I've lost a stone so far but not really dropped a dress size yet, but I have a lot to lose. It's all about reducing your measurements and it takes more weight loss to go from a 40 inch to a 38 inch waist than from a 30 to 28.
It also depends where it disappears from, I'm finding that I'm not losing it evenly so some bits of me are still my original size. (tits, arse) and others are definitely dropping (waist)

[FranklyMeDeer]

Oh and I also think I was in denial about how tight my clothes were

[Lolimax]

I was 16 stone 2 in April and bursting out a size 18. I'm now 12.8 and have just got into a size 12. There was no sanity to the way I went down dress sizes. I was in a size 16 for a long time (after about a stone and a bit) and seemed to hardly be in a 14 at all. I'm also doing loads of exercise so my shape has changed completely.

[TisConfusion]

Hey thanks for the replies! I feel sooo stupid saying this but I haven't tried on size 14 as I just don't see how they'd fit as my size 16 clothes seem to fit fine I'm thinking a 14 would be very tight. I guess I should try though! Was hoping a 16 would be way baggy by now!
I'm thinking I also need to get a tape measure and start tracking my measurements as I lose weight.
I still have so far to go it's overwhelming and such a struggle at times but I know I need to do it.
Well done to everyone on your weight losses!

[TisConfusion]

Lolimax - that's amazing, well done! I'd love to be a size 12 again (I was about 5 years ago pre-DC). Can I ask how tall you are? I'm only 5ft 3in but at the moment I weigh 12st12lb and I'm in a 16. I want to lose another 3/3.5st but no idea what size I'll be if I ever lose it!

[JuniorMint]

This year I have gone from 12 stone 4lbs, where a size 14 was too tight really but I was reluctant to start buying a 16, to 8 stone 10lbs where a size 10 is very comfortable, even jeans, and can sometimes get away with an 8.

[petitdonkey]

Remember that different people will fit a size very differently - as Lolimax shows (Well done on your loss!!) - I am currently 12st 4 and am firmly a 14 - my goal weight is 10st10 and only then will I sometimes fit in a 12. I have boobs and hips which don't vary hugely so even when I was aged 18 and 8st7, I was still often a 12.

Try on some different sizes next time you are shopping but just keep congratulating yourself on how well you have done. I am trying so hard at the moment but have only lost 5lbs in a month. I keep telling myself it's going the right was but having 20+ lbs to go is really tough. (and I went up by a pound this week )

[petitdonkey]

JuniorMint - that is fantastic! Fancy sharing any tips??? (Hoping that it's a secret magical chocolate bar….)

[JuniorMint]

petitdonkey Three words... Low carb bootcamp. Look for threads in weight loss section on here. It ain't easy, but it sure works if you stick to it.

[QuimReaper]

petit I think 5lb in a month is a fantastic achievement!

Junior can I ask how tall you are?

[QuimReaper]

OP I was wondering if that might be the case - it makes sense to wait until your sz16s are loose before trying smaller sizes. Frankly makes a good point that it's all about inch measurements, and you'll need bigger losses to see smaller inch measurements to begin with.

Also - and I say this from personal experience - I've found that when in an uncomfortable clothing size one tends to go for looser / stretchier / flowier clothes, which are more forgiving to weight gain and make it less easy to see weight loss. For instance, I am pleased that I no longer bulge over the top of my old leggings, but I wouldn't be expecting to have to go down a size in them!

[LemonBreeland]

OP I can't help on how much you need to lose to drop a size, although I would say generally around a stone too. I am the same height as you and at 9st 12 am a comfortable 12. At 9st 4 I can get into a size 10.

[JuniorMint]

QuimReaper I'm 5'5"

[petitdonkey]

Quim (your name makes me giggle!) - thank you. Writing it down makes me realise that its the right way and hopefully, I am making changes that will stick long term.

Junior I will look it up now! I can be 'good' all week but then use my calories for wine at the weekend and I know that is not helping my flabby tummy!

[Lolimax]

Tis- I'm 5 foot 8". The last time I was in a size 12 was in uni and the Berlin Wall was coming down!!

[QuimReaper]

petit I really think that's right: my experience has been that if your weight plummets it doesn't "bed in" properly and bounces back up the second you eat again: taking it at a sensible pace is much more likely to be proper fat loss, rather than water, muscle etc.

[QuimReaper]

I must say I have always calorie counted during the week and let go at weekends though. I know it slows down my weight loss massively, but I find it much more sustainable.

[Daisiespurple]

Lost 8lbs to see a drop in dress size

[bubblyone]

Thinking about this last night after reading this discussion.
2 stone definitely sounds like enough!
Agree with recommendations to try on new clothes, despite shops seeming to have no consistency whatsoever. Fitted into stuff 2 sizes smaller than at the beginning of the summer at the weekend - hadn't even occurred to me to pick up that size. Couldn't understand why older stuff still fitted me too at home (different brand) so tried it on with a more critical eye. Dresses that were quite fitted, borderline a bit tight, a few months ago are baggy on the chest now and the waistline hangs lower. They're still wearable, but don't look the same. By which I mean that my size HAS changed, it just wasn't immediately apparent wearing some of my old size because they technically still fitted.

[TisConfusion]

I think I will have to try some things in a 14 to see. I guess I feel like my tummy has gone down a bit but because I still have so much to lose, the 2 stone loss hasnt made me look hardly any different.
Definitely agree about shops having no consistency with clothes sizing! I even find that with DDs clothes and she's only 4!

[bubblyone]

@TisConfusion I'm smaller (under 5ft) so things probably show faster, but even still I struggled to see changes, despite photographing myself. It came to some kind of tipping point where it was really apparent to me and others. The measurements had changed though so found them useful. The hardest thing is keeping going until you reach that point, I think. Get so dejected along the way sometimes!

It's so bizarre. Different shops are completely different, and even the same brand can be wildly inconsistent. Have a dress from Closet in one size that just about fits, and then another a size smaller that is actually a bit too big. Bananas.