Using clothes instead of weighing - to lose and to maintain

[qwerty45]

Does anyone have a certain item of clothing that they use as a gauge to tell them if they are maintaing weight loss.

A friend of mine uses a pair of non stretch jeans. If they get tight she cuts back so they fit comfy again.

Does anyone use this technique? If so why and does it actually work?

I went from a 14/16 down to a 8/10 since March. But I've since gone up to a 10/12. My smaller clothes don't fit me.

If so why and does it actually work?

Because

If they get tight she cuts back

It works the exact same way that, if I get on the scales and I’ve gone up 3/4 lbs, I cut back & reduce my calories (logged on My Fitness Pal) so I drop back down to my preferred weight. I just prefer to use numbers, rather than a tighter waist band, because it’s easy to just put something more comfortable on and kid yourself that it wasn’t that tight, whereas numbers on a scale can’t lie.

@SilentlyLaughing but as they're not stretchy surely they'd be a true test?

I don't like getting on the scales

Both methods work.
I prefer scales as I would just by-pass my tighter clothes and wear legging etc

Yes they would but, like pp, I was saying it would be easy to just put something looser on hence not make the effort to rein it in.

@SilentlyLaughing yes I agree. Who wants to wear uncomfortable clothing

@sundaysupperclub its easier to just not try the tighter clothes on.

Does anyone use any other techniques?

For me, the thing that works is weighing weekly and having an action point. That’s basically my happy weight plus 2kg. If I hit the action point, I focus on healthy eating and exercise until I’m back below again. That way my weight never gets too out of control and it’s only a non intimidating few pounds to lose.

Which I’ve just realised is basically exactly the same as SilentlyLaughing but with x bigger tolerance. My weight fluctuates a lot with where I am in relation to period.

@PurpleDaisies

For me, the thing that works is weighing weekly and having an action point. That’s basically my happy weight plus 2kg. If I hit the action point, I focus on healthy eating and exercise until I’m back below again. That way my weight never gets too out of control and it’s only a non intimidating few pounds to lose.

I like the idea of weighing (but hate getting on the scales) as it gives you a number. But sometimes it doesn't take into account how you feel too.

I don’t use scales, I don’t own any, I go buy my clothes and weather they fit, at the moment they are tight so I know I need to lose weight. I’m a size 12, would ideally like to be a 10 and I don’t want to have to buy a size 14. I will be starting a diet and exercising more as of Jan 1st.

@Lovemusic33

I don’t use scales, I don’t own any, I go buy my clothes and weather they fit, at the moment they are tight so I know I need to lose weight. I’m a size 12, would ideally like to be a 10 and I don’t want to have to buy a size 14. I will be starting a diet and exercising more as of Jan 1st.

Are they stretchy clothes @Lovemusic33 or non stretch?

I have a mixture, most my clothes are stretchy but I wear skinny jeans, the first place I gain weight is around my bottom and hips so if I can’t get my skinny jeans over my bum I know I need to lose weight 😂

I don't own any scales as I obsess about a number then. Once my clothes don't fit the way I won't them to, I do intermittent fasting and move more. Like PP, I don't want to buy clothes the next size up.

@Lovemusic33

I have a mixture, most my clothes are stretchy but I wear skinny jeans, the first place I gain weight is around my bottom and hips so if I can’t get my skinny jeans over my bum I know I need to lose weight 😂

Exactly what has happened to me. I don't want to go up a size. I still have my old clothes, so I have stuff to wear. But I felt much happier in the smaller size! :)

@grapewine

I don't own any scales as I obsess about a number then. Once my clothes don't fit the way I won't them to, I do intermittent fasting and move more. Like PP, I don't want to buy clothes the next size up.

I'm Intermittent fasting too. I don't want to go up a size either @grapewine

I've realised that Intermittent fasting is what works for me. I'm going to start again come January.

@grapewine great! I started today.. well from last night. I did a 14 hour fast. I will get back to a 8/10!

Good luck, qwerty45! I'm determined as well.

Thanks @grapewine I want my clothes to fit again

Anyone else use this technique?

I’m doing IF Querty. Down a few lbs, I can see & feel it. I have an overall 24+ lbs to lose from my Day1. I do have a small pile of clothes to measure myself against but I’m not going near them for quite a while

@SunscreenCentral

I’m doing IF Querty. Down a few lbs, I can see & feel it. I have an overall 24+ lbs to lose from my Day1. I do have a small pile of clothes to measure myself against but I’m not going near them for quite a while

Great. How are you getting on?

I was telling my NHS "wellbeing advisor" that I was going to buy some scales and she said not to bother, you can tell from your clothes.

I then had to admit I hadn't worn anything non-stretchy for months so it was hard to tell

Having said that, I do have a couple of weight-check garments, a skirt and a shift dress. Haven't tried the dress lately but the skirt was fine at the weekend. Phew!

I use my clothes as numbers depress me. Also, I'm heavy boned. I know you'll all think yeah course you are! I genuinely am, as are my dcs. For example I'm only 5 3 and at a size 8 I was over 10 stone. That was a small size 8 too. BMI calculator says 10 st 1 lb is the top end of normal/ overweight. I started losing weight again as I had ballooned up to a size 18 in the last 3 years. Various reasons why. I started calorie counting 18th December and I can now fit in my size 16 jeans. I was going to the gym but it's now closed and struggling to motivate myself to exercise at home. What's everyone doing for exercise now?