BMI and size 8 ??????

This is the freakiest thing about numbers and all of this weight stuff. Nothing really computes anymore. Today I am 170 pounds with a BMI of 30.1 which is still obese. Of course I am on the verge of being just overweight. But here's the thing. I am comfortably wearing size 8 in slacks and jeans. Back in my day that was a healthy size to be in and no one would consider someone wearing that size fat. I even wear size small t-shirts! I only have five more pounds to get to my surgeon's goal. So why do I think I need to lose another 35 pounds total? Because that is what it would take for me to be at a 'normal BMI' meaning a 'normal' weight. This is so confusing and I really think a new standard needs to be set somehow. I definitely was fat before but am I really still fat now? I just am not sure. How can you tell these days with all the celebs wearing sizes like 4, 2 and 0? I think that clothing sizes are just not the same anymore. I think that they have been renumbered to confuse us all. What do you all think?

I know sizes are bigger today then they were years ago, I have been going thru my stuff and I have some 16 I can not wear but I can wear a new 14.  I think they made sizes bigger to make everyone feel better.  (I also see 00s in the store and see a few folks that say that is what there wearing) what is a 00?

I am guessing its a marketing ploy. A smaller size does make us feel good about ourselves and so we are more likely to buy it. But I would rather have standards and know what to work for LOL!

Hi Anne,

I think Sandy is right. I was just reading an article on the subject of vanity sizing and not only is it a real trend, but also noticed that I wear an 8 in some things and a 6 in others. As you say, it make things pretty confusing. I'm pretty sure that my current size 6/8 probably translates to a size 10/12 several decades ago. I know that I'm taller than you are and I weigh 143/145 these days and sport size 6/8's... Who knows. Like you, I was interested in getting my BMI into a normal range. I think that your BMI is already in the 'range'... meaning that the average US woman has a bmi around 30, but that the 'normal' weight for us should be in the 20 to 25 range. 

Congratulations on all of the success you have achieved during this journey.

 

It feels like if I was what size I am now 30 years ago I would be wearing 12s or 14s. It has been fun to ponder this subject and its great to get so many responses. If nothing else changes from now on I might be okay with where I am at this point since it is so much better than before. I feel better and that totally outweighs looking better but I don't mind the looking better part. I just wish the clothing industry would quit tinkering around with sizes.

That's the same thing I have been thinking. Back in the seventies,ages ago, I know, when I was in high school, I was 5'5" tall and weighed 125 and never wore smaller than a size 10 pants or jeans or a medium shirt. Rarely anyone I knew, mostly teens wore anything smaller than an 8 and if they wore an 8 they were TINY!
Then when my daughter was a teen in the 1990's she wore smaller sizes than I used to but weighed more than I did as a teen. Also she had some friends who wore a size 2! I didn't even know they made sizes that small in my day!
Even so I can't wait to get out of these 22s that I am in now. I would love to be a size 12 or 14 again!
Hopefully this will happen in a couple of months, God willing! Jackie

Never fear. You will be wearing smaller sizes in no time. After you get tired of pulling up your britches all the time you will shop and try on and find you are much smaller than you think. Its weird but fun.

Gosh Ann
Congrats on the 8
I am a 14 and the smallest pants I have is a 13. I am happy here but guess I will never see a 8 or anything below a 14. I am happy for all of you that made it that far. And I am pleased with my results but can't help but wonder if I am doing something wrong not to have made it to the smaller sizes.  I agree that over the years somthing has happened to the sizing of clothes. I also agree about not knowing what I should be to be normal. Some people think  am in a smaller size than I am. It is some what flustration  to not know what you really look like and what you are.  Ann if you figure it out help me. Whatever it is you have done a great job.
Myrtis

I am going to admit here to you that I choose clothes that fit snuggly though not like I am poured into them. I notice you wear your clothes looser than I do. I bet you can wear smaller clothes than you currently are wearing. But our own personal styles could have as much to do with the variances in sizes we wear as the industries attempt to change the sizing numbers to get us to buy more.

I hope your right. I know I should not compare me with others but It is all I have to work with. Maybe I wear loose clothing still because I was so big for so long. Not to mention my fluffy muffin top.  I think for me 14 is as low as it goes. 4s 6s and such will never be in my closet. I am also built large with my size 10 feet and large hands. You have made some amazing changes since I met you. Keep up the good work... hope to see you at the next meet.
Myrtis