How much weight

[cathy77533]

do you need to lose to drop a size?

I lost 20 pds, and I dropped a size.. I can still wear the pants, but they are just a tad tight!

I thought for every 10 pds you drop a size?

[clackley]

Depends on where you are starting from. I lost 25 to get to the next size (18) but I know from past experience as I get into the smaller sizes it is more like 10.

[TaDa!]

Depends where you are Cathy as Clackley said!

My first size down took me like 25 pounds, it got down to 15 between sizes, 10 ... and once under 150 lbs, I change jeans sizes every 5 lbs!!! At goal weight I can feel a big difference in my clothing only with a difference of say 2 pounds

[jezzie]

hmmm.

My first size down took a long time.
Maybe 20 - 24 pounds. Don't remember exactly.
Now it seems to be about 14 or 15.

.

[martiangurll]

I was trying to figure this out myself. At 250 I was a size 25 or so. At 240 I was a loose 24. At 230 I could get into roomy 22/23. at 195 I could get into size 20s and some 18's. So I think it is between 10 and 15 lbs per size. Unfortunately, once you get below a certain size, that breaks down. I mean, I don't believe the girls out there wearing size 2 weigh only 20 lbs! But I think about 10 to 15 lbs per size but YMMV and maybe closer to 5-10 lbs per size once you get into the non-plus size range (like below a 12 or 14?) Just my best guess...

[daisyHair]

I think the larger size you wear the more weight you have to lose between sizes.
A smaller woman, say a size 12 can lose 10# and be in a size 10 where for me.. I stared at a 24 and I had to lose almost 20 before I could fit easily into a 22.

[afuentes]

Originally Posted by cathy77533

do you need to lose to drop a size?

I lost 20 pds, and I dropped a size.. I can still wear the pants, but they are just a tad tight!

I thought for every 10 pds you drop a size?

depending on musculature, height, etc. I have lost close to 50lbs and dropped 3 dress sizes. I went from a 14 to a now comfortable 8.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by cathy77533

do you need to lose to drop a size?

Hi Cathy…
I don't think there is a number of pounds which can definitely be tied to size reductions in clothing.

It really depends on whether you are a man or woman, how heavy you are to begin with, and whether 'size' is measured in numbers or in Xs (going from 4X to 3X happened for me differently than 3X to 2X).

And if women's Xs are like mens, they are not uniformly measured. And men's 'numbers' are almost always the number of inches in the neck, the chest or the waist.

According to my wife women's numbered sizes are not uniform either...

Not trying to interfere - just joining the discussion.

[Knittering]

It also depends on your body shape. Losing sizes has gone *really* slow for me because I'm an apple. I lost from 250 to 215 or so before I dropped my first size and even having lost about 70 pounds, I've only gone down four sizes. Whereas my SIL is a pretty pear and easily drops sizes every 8-10 pounds; I guess that's because she doesn't have a belly to distort her sizes.

[Bungle]

I've lost over 20 but have only gone down a size. In all fairness though my pants were pretty tight when I started. I'm an apple shape and the waist is where I tend to lose last.

[cathy77533]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Cathy…



Not trying to interfere - just joining the discussion.

Oh Larry, your not interferring at all!!

I need different opinions, from both men and women!

[cathy77533]

Originally Posted by Knittering

my SIL is a pretty pear and easily drops sizes every 8-10 pounds; I guess that's because she doesn't have a belly to distort her sizes.

I am a pear also!

I suppose I will wait for the surprises to come!

Thank God I have from size 12's too 20's

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by cathy77533

Oh Larry, your not interferring at all!!

I need different opinions, from both men and women!

Thanks Cathy…
We men are part of this group (though in less numbers - and a bit less participatory). I’m fortunate to work out of our home...so I can check in throughout the day.

It took me the first 50 pounds to move from a comfortable 4X shirt size to a loose 3X. Then the next 40 pounds moved me from loose 3X to snug 2X shirts/pullovers.

I wear a lot of T-shirts, and they tend to shrink, so most of my 3X ones are 5 years old or more and fit just fine.

Pants/shorts/trunks/cutoffs from 4X to 3X was 40-50 pounds. Then 3X to 2X is still ify - because trunks/jogging pants/cutoffs are not uniform in their sizing.

My waist went from a tight-bulging 54 inch to a comfortable (can sit without pinching or bulging) 48 inch trouser. All my boxer shorts are now 46 inches and comfortable.

It's a bit disappointing that my new leather belt my wife bought me for Christmas is not going to fit much longer (and a 52-inch plus belt is expensive).

What is sad is the only leather belts in that length she could find are braided and cannot just be cut down to size...so right now when it's buckled it then runs through 3 sets of doubled up loops (going round the second time).

So back to the original post - in about 100 pounds I’ve dropped 2 full X sizes, and 6-8 inches off the waist. Legs are not swishing together when I walk, ankles don't swell when I stand for more than an hour.

Not sure about the neck because most of my shirts are measured in Xs & I have never taken tape measurements...

[cathy77533]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Thanks Cathy…
We men are part of this group (though in less numbers - and a bit less participatory). I’m fortunate to work out of our home...so I can check in throughout the day.

It took me the first 50 pounds to move from a comfortable 4X shirt size to a loose 3X. Then the next 40 pounds moved me from loose 3X to snug 2X shirts/pullovers.

I wear a lot of T-shirts, and they tend to shrink, so most of my 3X ones are 5 years old or more and fit just fine.

Pants/shorts/trunks/cutoffs from 4X to 3X was 40-50 pounds. Then 3X to 2X is still ify - because trunks/jogging pants/cutoffs are not uniform in their sizing.

My waist went from a tight-bulging 54 inch to a comfortable (can sit without pinching or bulging) 48 inch trouser. All my boxer shorts are now 46 inches and comfortable.

It's a bit disappointing that my new leather belt my wife bought me for Christmas is not going to fit much longer (and a 52-inch plus belt is expensive).

What is sad is the only leather belts in that length she could find are braided and cannot just be cut down to size...so right now when it's buckled it then runs through 3 sets of doubled up loops (going round the second time).

So back to the original post - in about 100 pounds I’ve dropped 2 full X sizes, and 6-8 inches off the waist. Legs are not swishing together when I walk, ankles don't swell when I stand for more than an hour.

Not sure about the neck because most of my shirts are measured in Xs & I have never taken tape measurements...

WOW Larry!!

You have done a remarkable job!!

WTG!! Really!!

KUTGW!!!

[vli1127]

Originally Posted by daisyHair

I think the larger size you wear the more weight you have to lose between sizes.
A smaller woman, say a size 12 can lose 10# and be in a size 10 where for me.. I stared at a 24 and I had to lose almost 20 before I could fit easily into a 22.

I agree. The heavier I was the more wt I had to lose to drop a size.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by cathy77533

...WOW Larry!!
...You have done a remarkable job!!

Hi Cathy…
Actually all I’ve done is eat clean and count 30 net carbs a day! Dr A did all the work and decades of research at the clinic. I’m just doing what it takes.

I love the fact I can eat great food and not be hungry, and not feel deprived. The weight loss and inch reduction is a plus - but was not the reason I initially started this.

I really realized that despite good blood work, and no health issues, at 350 pounds and climbing and only 5 years from retirement, if I didn't do something to arrest the gains I’d be sitting on the boat while my wife was going ashore and seeing the wonderful ancient locations we dream of visiting when we retire.

Low Carb was the only way I can see myself eating for the rest of my life. The good news is not only did it arrest the weight/size gains, it reversed them.

I still don't have a weight related ''goal'' other than enjoying our remaining years together and experiencing life together. My wife and I of course share private goals (life goals) but they are not really weight/size related.

[cathy77533]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Cathy…
Actually all I’ve done is eat clean and count 30 net carbs a day! Dr A did all the work and decades of research at the clinic. I’m just doing what it takes.

I love the fact I can eat great food and not be hungry, and not feel deprived. The weight loss and inch reduction is a plus - but was not the reason I initially started this.

I really realized that despite good blood work, and no health issues, at 350 pounds and climbing and only 5 years from retirement, if I didn't do something to arrest the gains I’d be sitting on the boat while my wife was going ashore and seeing the wonderful ancient locations we dream of visiting when we retire.

Low Carb was the only way I can see myself eating for the rest of my life. The good news is not only did it arrest the weight/size gains, it reversed them.

I still don't have a weight related ''goal'' other than enjoying our remaining years together and experiencing life together. My wife and I of course share private goals (life goals) but they are not really weight/size related.

Exactly Larry.. I have been doing Atkins since 1972, that's how old I am!!

I have always had a weight problem. Been up and down on the scale and lost the same 80 pds over and over again! The last time I lost the 80 pds was 13 years ago, and I kept it all off all those years! As I've said before, I quit smoking and put on 50!

We are also almost near retirement! We want too be able to retire and enjoy each other and what goals are ahead for us too! You can't do that being unhealthy!

I love the way Atkins makes me feel and what it does to me!

I don't like myself though for putting on 50 pds!:down

At times I wish I never quit smoking because I wouldn't be starting all over again! *sigh*

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by cathy77533

...We are also almost near retirement! We want too be able to retire and enjoy each other and what goals are ahead for us too! You can't do that being unhealthy!
...I love the way Atkins makes me feel and what it does to me!

Hey Cathy…
Three years, 5 months, 2 days for us (but who is counting).

I think as we get older, we get a little smarter, so if you practice a little common sense and stick with it, you will enjoy double benefits...both from stopping the smoking and then the weight as well. Your family will be blessed to potentially have you around longer.

Actually - we have seen pretty dramatic benefits already. We took a vacation last summer and we spent three weeks visiting museums, attending events, aquariums, festivals and parades...and we walked China Town SanFrancisco for 6 hours one day.

I was in my hiking boots and packing full camera gear, and it was my wife who wanted to take a break! Didn't realize the stamina that I’d have.

[Shimmer]

Originally Posted by Knittering

It also depends on your body shape. Losing sizes has gone *really* slow for me because I'm an apple. I lost from 250 to 215 or so before I dropped my first size and even having lost about 70 pounds, I've only gone down four sizes. Whereas my SIL is a pretty pear and easily drops sizes every 8-10 pounds; I guess that's because she doesn't have a belly to distort her sizes.

Originally Posted by Bungle

I'm an apple shape and the waist is where I tend to lose last.

So far, it's taken me about 20-25 lbs to lose a size (57 lbs, 3 sizes: 22 to 16) and it's totally my belly that is keeping me from size 14. Guess I'm an apple, too!

Originally Posted by ljguitar

I really realized that despite good blood work, and no health issues, at 350 pounds and climbing and only 5 years from retirement, if I didn't do something to arrest the gains I’d be sitting on the boat while my wife was going ashore and seeing the wonderful ancient locations we dream of visiting when we retire.

Not to threadjack, but Larry, why wait til you retire? DH and I had the same type of plans (when we retire, we'll...) but when bad things (illness, death) happened to friends and acquaintances our own age, we decided to start doing things NOW! Don't mean to butt into your private plans, but we've discovered "there's no time like the present!"

[Lillianna]

For me, it's about 8% of my weight... You can't really use a certain # of pounds since a person at a highter weight has to lose a lot more than a smaller person does to get into a new size...

[LaurieKeren]

It took me a good 25 lbs to go from my 16s to my 14s. That was partly due to the fact that I should have been wearing 18s! LOL I bought stretch 16s jeans and squeezed into them, because I refused to go a size bigger! So, it seemed like I would never outgrow them!! But, I finally did, and now my 14s fit, but they are feeling a bit loose, and I can even put on a pair of 12s that I have!

[martiangurll]

Originally Posted by Lillianna

For me, it's about 8% of my weight... You can't really use a certain # of pounds since a person at a highter weight has to lose a lot more than a smaller person does to get into a new size...

this makes as much sense to me as trying to assign a certain weight. since most of the sizes go by inches, that may be a better way to guage how much you have to lose to go to a new size?

[Kisha1976]

Before I started LC, I weighed 281 pounds and my size 20 jeans were a little snug (so I'm guessing I was really a size 22). I lost 20 pounds, and my size 20's are nice and comfy, and I can fit into an 18. It's a little tight around the belly, but they're perfect on the legs.