size confusion

Ok, so here's my problem- I started out an 18. I wore my size 16s forever, way longer than I should have, I could get them off without unbuttoning them! I broke down and went shopping at my favorite consignment store this past week and got 3 pairs of pants sized 32 waist and 5 shirts sized medium, they all fit fine. My friend gave me some size 12 jeans, they fit fine. She also gave me size 10 Old Navy shorts, they fit fine. What size do I wear??? What is a 32 waist? Anybody know a brand of clothing that runs true to size, seems like every different thing I try on fits and they're from 10s to 14s! It's thrilling either way, but kinda aggravating not knowing what size I'm wearing, you know?? Rebecca 227/167/130

Rebecca, Last Thursday, Carson's was having a big sale, so instead of heading home after hospital, I did some "retail therapy". I bought a bunch of clothes, most of them size 20. The brands were StudioWorks, JonesNewYork, Liz Claiborne, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Carribean Joe, and Tommy. My sister told me all those brands run bigger than "normal" and then she made me take off my pants so she could try them on. Now I don't think she's right necessarily, but according to her LaneBryant clothes are smaller in fit than some name brand clothes. Of course, you're way too small for Lane Bryant now. I just think she told me that stuff because she's jealous I'm smaller than her again. To me, that make's everything "back to normal" in my world. It's freaked her out so much she joined WW. I say good for her, and please give me back my pants before your big butt stretches them out! I have no idea what 32 means or what size you really, but to channel Clinton and Stacy from WNTW, it's not about the size....it's about the fit! No one can see your size labels as you're walking around, so wear what looks good and don't worry about anything else. You do so great! You are closest to your goal than the rest of us, I think. It's fantastic! Sheryl

Ok, you do WAY too much shopping girl and when you outgrow those wonderful name brand clothes (which will be SOON at the rate you are losing!!) I am sending you MY ADDRESS so you can send them to me!!!! I disagree with your sis, Lane Bryant and the Avenue's sizes tend to run bigger than normal. I bought a pair of size 18/20 pants when all my other's have been 22/24 (and I bought them all the same day). Seriously though, I'm glad you are enjoying your new body and your retail therapy! I think I love shopping more than I loved food. Vi (P.S. Your pants will be too short for me unfortunately, since I'm 5'10", but I'll be over to raid your closet next month! )

Vi, My dad's running a fever and they won't take him off the ventilator. I'm totally stressed and I have to go back to Iowa tomorrow. My mom sent me home to pack. i drove right by Carsons. Today was the last day of the yellow dot 70% off sale. I had 15 mins. till closing so I ran in and bought a pair of shoes and another pair of JonesNewYork Jeans. These have rivets and rhinestones all over them. They are SWEET. I tried them on the other day, but they were too big and I was too lazy to try to find a smaller size. I found it right away and bought them without trying them on. I figured if they were too tight I would shrink into them. They are perfect, and at $25, the most expensive thing I bought this week. I got really good deals. And yes....I shop too much. It's a sickness. I have more clothes than any 4 people combined, but I just keep on buying. I've always been a bit of a fashionista and the trends keep changing. Like I said before, if I see it in a magazine...I want it. Besides.....it really is like therapy to me. I get calm and warm all over, like I'm laying on a beach somewhere. I really needed that today. I'd be happy to give all the stuff I shrink out of to ya, but my sis has already claimed it for herself. She stopped by the house today to feed the dogs and when I got back I noticed all my shopping bags had been rifled through. I think she tried everything on. The stinker. Sheryl

Those jeans sound beautiful! I can't wait to buy stuff like that!! Sorry to hear about your Dad though and the constant stress. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that his situation will improve before you go on your trip so that at least you will be able to relax and enjoy it. Hugs, Vi

I mentioned to my mom that John and I would like to postpone the trip (he will have to go because of the convention, but as a family we can go later). We found out we only lose $200 at Disney, and whatever it costs to change the flights(that part might be expensive). She freaked out at the mention of it. Last week my Dad told me he wanted me to go no matter what. But that was before he needed heart surgery and a ventilator and now an infection. She says we can always come home early if need be. There's no way to really enjoy myself knowing my dad is like this. He can't talk, but he can write and today he wrote down that he wanted to die. My mom burst into tears and started screaming at him. If he could just get off the ventilator I think he'd start fighting. He's just so forlorn and depressed right now. I've been saying a prayer like every 5 minutes to keep his fever down so they maybe extabate him tomorrow. Every day he has that tube in his lungs his loses a bit of fight. He's giving up. I'm hoping God is all ears tonight. Even if they can't do it tomorrow, I'm trusting that God will see him safely through the week I'm gone. He might not have any fight left in him, but I have enough fight for the both of us. That's why I don't want to leave. My brother has MS and the stress is causing very bad physical problems. My sister is too selfish to sit with my Dad 10 hrs/day. Yesterday, she didn't even go to visit at all. She said it was because of the snow, but when we called to update her she was shopping and going to lunch. There's no one to help my Mom through this and sit with my Dad when she can't. My mom asked my sis that even if she couldn't go to the hospital every day, could she take the 2 dogs so she could sleep at hospital in the spouses room if need be. She and her husband said no. They don't want the dogs to mess up their house. They said they would stop by twice a day to feed them and let them out, but no more than that. Did I mention that 1 of the dogs is my sisters that she asked my mom to watch for a month and then said if my mom gave her back they would put her to sleep? My sister is in the center of her own universe and there is no room for anyone else. You all know me from my posts. My sister is only 11 months older than me, but the EXACT opposite in every way, except we both got the "fat" gene and we look somewhat alike. It's always amazed me that 2 people who are so close in age, who shared a room for 17 years, could end up being polar opposites. She's not a bad person, just very selfish and materialistic. She would rather make my mom worry about the dogs instead of focusing on my dad, than take the chance that one of them might chew on a shoe or pee on the carpet. Sorry...got off on a rant there. The disbelief is still fresh. Up until today they had agreed to take the dogs. My sis and I definitely have a love/hate relationship. More love than hate, thankfully, but there are days......... Sheryl

I have a sister just like that -- I lovingly refer to her as "the incubus".

Hi Rebecca, size 32 id really small. You know how mens pants go into 32, 34, 36, 38 etc.. that's the waist sixe, most normal men are 34's if they are bigger they are 38's a little overweight is 36 I know that because of my boyfriend who is 38 34 that means waist 38 and it is 34 long. I would never fit in a 32 that's excellent!! CONGRATS, and size does not mean a thing, each brand is different, that;s way for size purposes I'm sticking to some WALMART pants that are $10.44 I am a size 16 in those, and I still can't fit into the 14 without turning blue because I can't breath, but I do fit into other 14's. Celia

Rebecca, Unfortunately, you will probably need to try on most of your clothes before you buy them. One size 16/18 for me will fit, a different brand of 16/18 will be so tight I cannot breathe. Even the same brand but different material of the same size one will fit the other won't. I have just found to take several outfits in the general size I think might fit and try them on. Good Luck and happy shoppimg. Mary L

I'm lucky I don't really know what size I.m wearing a friend gave me some clothes and all the tags were riped out. All I know is when I looked at them I said to my self these look so small I could never fit into them, guess what I fit all of them. I went to the beach later and wore the short over my bathing suite and men were cat calling at me It felt so good.