Weights and size

crazyjerseygirl

so, I'm a lady. I started at 235, I'm down to 205. I've been here before, the difference this time is that I'm lifting (light for now, I'm weak!).

I know I'm smaller than I was, but I feel smaller than I when I was last around 200. My clothing fits different and I just appear narrower.

Finally, the question: does lifting make ladies smaller in general when they are coming down from a heavy weight? I'm not concerned or anything, just curious as to why this is. I know the whole "muscle weighs more than fat" bit, but can that be the case when I'm at body weight with only 10-15lb weights? If not then why am I smaller?

Alassonde

I'm only doing body weight and I'm gaining muscle....I was a real weenie to start with (still kind of am). I've actually gained a few pounds because I'm eating at/slightly above maintenance to gain muscle. I've been told I look like I lost weight even though I've gained. I haven't lost any inches but I still fit in all my clothes. I don't totally understand it either but it's made a great difference in my appearance.

AliceDark

In this example, the important thing to remember is that fat takes up more space than muscle. It's bigger, volume-wise. Typically when you lose weight, you lose both fat and muscle. When you do resistance training while you lose weight, you're "telling" your body not to lose as much of your muscle, because you're actively using it and you need to keep it. You end up losing more fat than if you don't do resistance training while you're losing. It's very possible, and fairly predictable, that you'd lose more inches when losing while lifting weights than if you're not.

Edited to fix this sentence. Should be: "You end up losing more fat than if you don't do resistance training while you're losing." I'm tired today

BuckyArden33

keep lifting it will do wonders for you. i personally think lifting is better than cardio. you will lose weight and gain muscle and yes you will get smaller and toned even if the scales say you have gained weight if that makes sense

BuckyArden33

AliceDark wrote: »

In this example, the important thing to remember is that fat takes up more space than muscle. It's bigger, volume-wise. Typically when you lose weight, you lose both fat and muscle. When you do resistance training while you lose weight, you're "telling" your body not to lose as much of your muscle, because you're actively using it and you need to keep it. You end up losing more fat than if you don't do resistance training while you're exercising. It's very possible, and fairly predictable, that you'd lose more inches when losing while lifting weights than if you're not.

^^ this

crazyjerseygirl

Interesting. I plan to continue lifting, I like being strong!(never mind that at 35, I'm in the make or break zone for muscle/bone density) I enjoy running to, so I'll keep that up as well!

So I get the density thing, between muscle and fat, but the idea is that I've lost enough fat to be 200lbs but the extra muscle brings me to 205 so I weigh heavier but am smaller.
Huh. I like that!

weightliftingbarbie

My body.shape completely changed back in.2012 from weight lifting, I got quite small as was very toned, I got injured and stopped but been back on it the last 3 months, the inch loss is the main thing I focus on as the scales go.up and down for me so definitely take measurements