Lost weight not in balance with lost clothes size

The last 2 months I didn't weigh myself because I was experiencing a lot of stress because I didn't lose any weight. So I decided not to weigh for a while. The drop in stress was magnificent! 

Today on my one year anniversary (whoohoo!) I stepped on the scale for the first time again in 2 months. I only lost 1.1 kg (about 2 lbs). My fat% went down .3% and muscle% also, so no big changes.

What I don't understand is why I was able to buy new clothes this weekend in a size smaller (last time I did that was beginning of July). As far as I know there is about 10 lbs in a size, right? Same thing happened in July because my weight has been stalling since March.

My question is: how come I don't lose any weight while I clearly lose it when I look at my clothes size and when I check the mirror (see my gallery for examples). Is this a muscle is heavier than fat thingy and if so why doesn't my muscle% go up then? I don't understand it...

For what it's worth I won't be using the scale again until the day before Christmas. It (the stress) is just not worth it.

Jolanda

Clothes sizing is notoriously random and you can't judge anything by it.  The '10lbs per size' rule of thumb doesn't always extend across different manufacturers and retailers.   It depends where the fat goes from and where any muscle you're building is going to as to what shape you are.  And if your diet has improved (fewer processed foods?) leading to less fluid retention that can also impact on your body-shape more than you think. 

Staying off the scales sounds like a good plan.  Best of luck and well done.

The scale doesn't really tell you anything... you can gain muscle and lose fat and weigh the same or more than you did three months ago, while still wearing a smaller clothes size, or you can redistribute your weight slightly and change your body shape without the scale moving at all. Don't worry about it - if your clothes fit you better (which obviously they do) you're on the right track.

you have lost inches! Which is fabulous!

i suggest measuring yourself as well. Inches is much more accurate than the scale! As the scale can flunctuate.

I have had the same problem.  I have gone down 2 sizes, but only lost 12 lbs.  when I was attending curves, the ladies told me that because of the development of muscles, the weight loss is les because muscles weighs more than fat.

I've measured myself in several places (boobs, under boobs, waiste, tummy, upper leg, calve) and to be honest no inches were lost there. It is alsmost the same there as well...

I bought the clothes in the same store as the last time. So I wonder if the sizing is very different (they are the same brand as well).

Maybe this helps as extra info???

Jolanda

Jolanda,

I've worked retail at the same high-end clothing store for three years. Each season the clothes fit differently, and sizes very from garment-to-garment.

If you didn't see any changes in your measurements, I would say it's either the store has changed their sizing structure, or you got a something running on the larger end of it's size.

It's amazing though, my weight has only fluctuated about five pounds throughout the years, my clothes can vary three to four sizes depending on the piece.

Like the others said, I'd go by measurements rather than clothing sizes. (Though it is always great to fit into a smaller size, even if it's a fluke!)

Good luck!

I had the same thing happen to me.  My weight has stayed exactly the same for the last few months, but I've lost a size and everyone in my life - parents, friend, and trainer, is telling me I look like I lost weight again.  I'm going with the increased muscle explanation and trying not to think about it too much. 

i'm in the same boat! my measurements haven't changed that much over the year, and my weight hasn't decreased a whole lot since b/f the summer, but i can wear a smaller size down, sometimes 2 sizes down! it's crazy! let's just go with the "i'm building muscle" thing.

It happened to me, too. I'm down a size and I haven't lost that much weight, but then again, I don't know what I lost or how much because I really don't weigh myself much.

Regardless, wearing smaller clothes is GREAT! I recently bought a dress in a 16W which is...WOW...I was wearing 20s.

I'm sticking with the whole "building muscle" thing as well...even though that may not be the case. :)

Some of it may be due to a better comfort with your own body.  Now that you've grown accustomed to being the size you are you're willing to wear better fitting clothes.  I know I'm still getting people telling me that I've lost weight but I haven't in the last 8 months...I have however gone down a clothing size and am picking up the occasional item here or there that fits better.

whipple, that's not the case for me. i've always worn closer-fitting clothes, so if i can fit a new size, it's definitely news.

etie, that's me, too! i'm in 16s now, when i was a 22 just in january! i'm working my ass off (literally) to see a 14 by the end of the year. i'm hopeful i can make it, even if the scale doesn't say i should be there.

i just have to pipe in here, too because just the other day, i went and tried on my "test" jeans brand and while I have lost 23 pounds since July 1, i have gone down from and 18/20 to a 14!!!!  Getting out "Plus sized" clothese was sort of goal number 1 for me, so I'm psyched to hit it. Goal number 2 for me now is to see onederland by the end of the year. Shouldn't be too hard if i don't let the holidays and the cold weather throw me off. I need to lose 14 pounds!!!

Anyway, great work ladies, for dropping the clothing sizes. Measurements may be more accurate, but to me clothing sizes are FAR more gratifying!!!

hey etie..

im a new member and i was reading where you stated you went from a 22 to 16s which is great...im in the same situation where i went from a 24w to a 18w with the scale not saying much however my cloth size decreasing with dedicated exercise and cutting out junk and sodas. my question is that i feel like im stuck at the 18...my goal is to be out of the plus sizes and down to a 14 misses by the end of this year (2009)...did you have this problem while loosing?