Losing Inches question

samchez0

I just started tracking and exercising around the 10th of this month which is when I took my first measurements. I decided to measure myself today and I lost about 2 inches off my waist and 3 inches off my hips. 0 from my arms and thighs though. I'm 5'7", starting weight was at 200. I'm still measuring around 200 on the scale though. I know that it's probably muscle gain so I'm not too worried about the fact that the scale is not moving. I'm just curious if you think how much I lost from my waist and hips seems realistic. I'm not sure how many inches is typically lost in an amount of time. I'm worried that I measured poorly the first time so those measurements aren't very accurate.

I'm sure I'm kind of self sabotaging myself because I feel like it's impossible that I've lost that many inches. Sometimes I convince myself that I'm noticing changes in how my clothes fit then I'm telling myself it's just wishful thinking. It's hard when the scale isn't budging. I should probably stop weighing myself all together.

terbusha

Great job! That’s awesome progress. Just be sure that you’re measuring in the same location each time so you’re measurements are accurate. I’ve seen people lose inches like that before. Also, when you start a nutrition and exercise regime, your body can tend to hold onto water as a response to stress. It’ll flush out in a little bit, so keep on going. If inches are reducing, then weight loss will come.

What is your nutrition and exercise plans?

You rock!
Allan

Ellaskat

Sounds totally realistic to me. In my first 2 weeks I lost 1 1/2 in. From my chest, and I only have about 15 pounds total to lose. As long as you measure the same location and same tightness of hhhe tape each time you measure, you can trust it. I like to see the scale move, but I LOVE to see the tape move!!!

jemhh

Yep, I think it is realistic. As terbusha wrote, you can experience a water flush in the beginning (and periodically throughout weight loss actually but generally you see a bigger one in the beginning.)

RGv2

samchez0 wrote: »

I just started tracking and exercising around the 10th of this month which is when I took my first measurements. I decided to measure myself today and I lost about 2 inches off my waist and 3 inches off my hips. 0 from my arms and thighs though. I'm 5'7", starting weight was at 200. I'm still measuring around 200 on the scale though. I know that it's probably muscle gain so I'm not too worried about the fact that the scale is not moving. I'm just curious if you think how much I lost from my waist and hips seems realistic. I'm not sure how many inches is typically lost in an amount of time. I'm worried that I measured poorly the first time so those measurements aren't very accurate.

I'm sure I'm kind of self sabotaging myself because I feel like it's impossible that I've lost that many inches. Sometimes I convince myself that I'm noticing changes in how my clothes fit then I'm telling myself it's just wishful thinking. It's hard when the scale isn't budging. I should probably stop weighing myself all together.

Actually, it's probably not muscle gain. Adding enough muscle to affect the scale is extremely difficult.... You may have had some small gains that come from beginning exercise, but what is most likely happening is water retention. When you add a new exercise regimen, or increase the intensity of a current one your body will retain water for muscle repair. Eventually that water will flush and you'll see a loss on the scale.

Don't worry about not really adding muscle. If you're working on getting smaller you want to retain what you have, through lifting, while losing mostly fat through your caloric deficit.

samchez0

terbusha wrote: »

Great job! That’s awesome progress. Just be sure that you’re measuring in the same location each time so you’re measurements are accurate. I’ve seen people lose inches like that before. Also, when you start a nutrition and exercise regime, your body can tend to hold onto water as a response to stress. It’ll flush out in a little bit, so keep on going. If inches are reducing, then weight loss will come.

What is your nutrition and exercise plans?

You rock!
Allan

My diet isn't the greatest but I'm slowly improving it. Trying to decrease my portion sizes and eating less processed stuff or fast food. I'm mostly drinking water with the occasional sprite about once or twice a week.

For exercise I'm alternating days on treadmill/cardio stuff with strength exercises.

arditarose

RGv2 wrote: »

samchez0 wrote: »

I just started tracking and exercising around the 10th of this month which is when I took my first measurements. I decided to measure myself today and I lost about 2 inches off my waist and 3 inches off my hips. 0 from my arms and thighs though. I'm 5'7", starting weight was at 200. I'm still measuring around 200 on the scale though. I know that it's probably muscle gain so I'm not too worried about the fact that the scale is not moving. I'm just curious if you think how much I lost from my waist and hips seems realistic. I'm not sure how many inches is typically lost in an amount of time. I'm worried that I measured poorly the first time so those measurements aren't very accurate.

I'm sure I'm kind of self sabotaging myself because I feel like it's impossible that I've lost that many inches. Sometimes I convince myself that I'm noticing changes in how my clothes fit then I'm telling myself it's just wishful thinking. It's hard when the scale isn't budging. I should probably stop weighing myself all together.

Actually, it's probably not muscle gain. Adding enough muscle to affect the scale is extremely difficult.... You may have had some small gains that come from beginning exercise, but what is most likely happening is water retention. When you add a new exercise regimen, or increase the intensity of a current one your body will retain water for muscle repair. Eventually that water will flush and you'll see a loss on the scale.

Don't worry about not really adding muscle. If you're working on getting smaller you want to retain what you have, through lifting, while losing mostly fat through your caloric deficit.

Yes, this. Great job losing inches but I just don't want people who are new to this to assume they are gaining muscle and that is why the scale is not moving. You are not, and that is fine. You SHOULD see the scale move, and it probably will soon. Great job!

segacs

When you say you're tracking, are you eating to a calorie deficit every day?

You don't really have to worry about cutting out processed food or fast food -- eating that stuff in moderation is fine. The most important thing is to eat fewer calories than you burn.