Is this a guy thing????

[Jon99]

Over the summer I tipped the scales at 242, currently I am about 198... When I was heavier I was wearing a 38 waist jean(and they were getting snug), which are now getting a little too baggy in the butt and legs.. Yesterday I went and tried on jeans and while the 36's fit, they were a little too snug for my comfort...

 

[bicker]

I'm not sure I understand what you're asking. However, I'll take a stab in the dark and relay a bit of my experience.

In the late 1990s, I lost about 75 pounds and kept it off for almost three years. Then I gained it all back plus 10. However, back at the low point, at 174 pounds, I had a 38 waist, and was a size 40 (maybe 42) chest.

In 2001-2, I lost about 100 pounds. At the point I hit 174 again, I had a 36 waist, and was a size 44 chest. Same weight -- completely different shape. How can that be?

Well it is actually quite simple. In the late 1990s, I lost weight relying primarily on calorie restriction and aerobic exercise. In 2001-2, I lost weight relying primarily again on calorie restriction, but my exercise regimen was varied, with a substantial amount of strength training to preserve muscle mass. Hence, I ended up with more muscle (reflected in broader chest, shoulders and arms, where men often carry muscle), and less fat (reflected in a narrower waist, where men often carry excess fat). (I don't have any way to compare, really, but I believe my legs are just about the same, and that also makes sense given that men typically carry both excess fat and muscle in their legs.)

 

[SnackyStacky]

You probably fall in between sizes. That happened to me while I was losing. A 38 would be too big, and a 36 too small. Generally I would buy the smaller size, as long as I knew I still had more to lose.

Even now, I'm probably closer to a 32, but have to buy a 34 because the 32s while fitting in the waist, ride up, and when I sit, they....er...."split the sea in two", so to speak. Is that subtle enough for you?

 

[DJBounce]

You might want to try different brands. Sometimes the size difference is a little off. And if you're snug in the crotch area and not the waist, try relaxed fit.