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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

What's your BMI/dress size?

34 replies

Kaloobear · 19/06/2012 09:45

One thing I've noticed as I've lost weight is that I've lost dress sizes far more quickly as I've got thinner. (Does that make sense?!) So when my BMI was 27-31 ish I was a size 16, at 25-26 a size 14, at 24 a 12, at 23 a 10, at 22 an 8 and now it's 21 I'm finding I need a 6 in some clothes. It's odd because the difference between a BMI of 21 and 22 or 22 and 23 is really only a few pounds. It's also odd because with a BMI of 21 I could feasibly lose a stone and still be considered healthy (I'm not going to though) but if I'm wearing a 6/8 now what size would I be if I had a BMI of 18?! I wouldn't be able to buy clothes!

Just wondered if anyone else had noticed this.

OP posts:
mrspink27 · 19/06/2012 09:50

Yes - I am in the same boat as you Kaloo - I am fortunate to be only 5ft 1 so can get away with kids jeans - But I have a party and wedding to go to and really struggling to find outfits...

Kaloobear · 19/06/2012 09:54

Oh, but tax free clothes!! That is definitely a benefit Grin

OP posts:
supergah · 19/06/2012 09:58

My BMI is 23 bang on and I'm a 12 most places (5ft6)

supergah · 19/06/2012 09:59

Are you quite short OP? I think the taller/bigger framed you are the higher your dress size is likely to be even if you're very slim.

RobinSparkles · 19/06/2012 10:01

Mine is 21.something and I'm a size 10, sometimes 12.

Ungratefulchild · 19/06/2012 10:03

Mine is 23 and I'm a 10 bottom and 12 on top

Kaloobear · 19/06/2012 10:10

I'm 5'5". Yes, a lot must depend on height, build, bones etc. I find it bizarre that I was a size 16 for so long (within about a stone and a half to two stone) but then the sizes seem to change more and more frequently as I get slimmer. Within about 10lbs I've gone from size 10 jeans to size 6-and they're the same jeans! So strange.

OP posts:
offswitchneededforbrain · 19/06/2012 10:12

My bmi is 22 and I am a 10/12.

MirandaWest · 19/06/2012 10:15

Mines 20.5 and top is size 8, bottom around size 10. Am 5 foot 4

Fluffy1234 · 19/06/2012 10:25

23.5- size 10
Last year bmi 35 and a size 16 to 18!

TheSmallPrint · 19/06/2012 10:29

BMI 23 Size 14

I am 5' 10" though.

spiderlight · 19/06/2012 10:34

BMI 23, size 12-14

RetiredDJ · 19/06/2012 10:38

Well done fluffy1234 you must be so proud of yourself.
I know I would be!

I'm BMI 27.5 (Sad) and a size 12/14. I'm 5' 3"
Healthy eating started last week though and I'm feeling positive.

Fluffy1234 · 19/06/2012 10:47

Yes I am really chuffed. Thankyou.

mumat39 · 19/06/2012 23:32

Wow. Well Done to you all. I'm in awe and a little bit envious.

Can I ask, what did you all do to reduce your BMI's so significantly?

Mine is 26.9 and I'm about 2 to 2.5 stones over weight.

This is a really good thread as I've never known what it might mean if I managed to lower my BMI so seeing the correlation between BMI and dress size (obv considering height, build etc.) is really interesting and actually motivating.

Congratulations again to you all on your amazing acheivements.

:)

Kaloobear · 20/06/2012 09:19

Weightwatchers! I don't buy into the meals or snacks they sell but I do think the principles of eat sensible size portions, choose healthy foods and do some exercise are good. And the meetings give you a framework to keep you focused.

OP posts:
TheSmallPrint · 20/06/2012 14:30

I have lost 17lbs with WW over the last 5 months, I don't really feel like I am doing without too much.

thestringcheesemassacre · 20/06/2012 14:32

BMI 25 (I'm right at the top of my healthy range).
12-14.

sweetheart · 20/06/2012 14:42

My BMI is 25.6 and I'm a 12 on bottom and a 8-10 on top. I'm a bit heavy at the moment but with a BMI of 23 I'm a size 8-10 so not much change there. I'm 5ft 5. I think I must have heavy bones as I always seem to be a high weight for the size clothes I buy. Either that or maybe my clothes just look rubbish and are too small Blush

MarysBeard · 20/06/2012 14:45

BMI 27/28 - size 14. 171cm tall so 5ft 7 and a bit.

Creamtea1 · 20/06/2012 14:47

These threads do not help anyone as it varies so much.
I am complete average 5 ft 6 and bmi is 21.7. I am size 10 top and bottom.
For someone of my height to wear a size 6 clothes they would need to be 7 stone something in weight

FioFio · 20/06/2012 14:48

I have bmi 25 and a size 14 at 5 9

Pannacotta · 20/06/2012 14:57

I think its all random and quite unhelpful really and very much depends on your frame and body type.
My BMI is only 19.5 and at 5ft 5/6 I wear a size 10 or 12 as I have broad shoulders and ribs.

LadyWellian · 20/06/2012 14:58

My BMI is dead on 23 and I wear a size 12/14. I am 5'6". When I was first pregnant with DD (13 years ago and the lightest I've been in the last 20 years, though I haven't varied much), my BMI would apparently have been about 20.7, but I was still a size 12/14. (The 14 is boobs).

Kaloobear · 20/06/2012 18:40

I'm so sorry Creamtea Confused

I'm just interested. The randomness of it all and the fact that there are so many variables is what interests me! The fact that losing or gaining a few pounds can make such a difference to dress size is bizarre, as is the fact that I, personally, could weigh anything between 11.5 stone and 13.5 stone and be a size 16. When losing weight I focused on getting down to a healthy BMI because I didn't feel I could rely on clothes size to tell me where I was healthy, but that too is clearly not a helpful way to measure health. I wonder why it is used and whether things like body fat or dress size or body shape or a combination-e.g. dress size taking into account your body shape?-would be a more useful indication. If teenage girls were told to aim to be a dress size of size 8-14 (or whatever) would that be less intimidating than a BMI to aim for, or a certain weight? Or would it not work because dress sizes too seem to be so random.

Anyway, as I said, I'm just interested.

OP posts: