What Is Happening With My Body?

demoiselle2014

I am 35, just under 5'4", and weigh about 116 lbs. My goal weight range is between 112 and 118, so I am not trying to diet or lose weight. I have, however, significantly increased my physical activity over the past few months. I didn't know what to measure, since I wasn't working with a formal plan, but I did have my starting weight (116), waist, and hip measurements (27", 37").

I've been running three days per week for two months via C25K, and on non-running days I usually go for a long walk. I'm averaging 17k steps per day. I've also been doing yoga and pilates via blogilates' beginner calendar (to improve balance, strength, flexibility).

I'm puzzled a bit, because in this time my weight and measurements have basically held steady. Today, I am 116 with a 27" waist and a 38" hip measurement. But I *look* different, I'm almost certain. I certainly have had noticeable practical gains in terms of endurance and core strength.

If my weight and measurements haven't changed, is it possible to look more fit? Or does that imply that my husband and I are imagining we see a difference (the difference in my *performance* is unquestionable). I suppose it was a mistake not to take measurements of my calves and thighs, what with the running . . . Is this what recomposition is like?

ElizabethKalmbach

Yep. That's exactly what recomposition is like. I have tons of pictures of myself over the last 20 years at 150-155#. In some I look great. In some I look fat. In some I have a 28" waist. In some I have a 30" waist. In some I have bat flaps. In some, you can see the striations in my shoulder muscles. There are a couple of memes on the internets showing the difference you can create in your figure all while maintaining the same weight, but improving your body composition. Congratulations!

demoiselle2014

Thank you. It's interesting to experience, and even though I haven't been exercising with a goal to lose weight or inches, it's been a bit confusing to experience the change visually/practically but not be able to measure a difference via scale or tape. I think that I may take some measurements of my thighs and calves since I'm running, just to have more to track. And perhaps biceps? I'm researching what kind of resistance/strength type training I can do, and once I start that I assume the changes will be a bit more obvious, though still slow.

LilyMammoth

You replaced fat with muscle, so you probably look firmer.

ElizabethKalmbach

Calipers might be a good tool to add to your "body assessment arsenal." My waist size has gone up over time, but I actually LOOK better than I did before, because heavy lifting has improved my musculature and definition. You can use calipers to check fat loss where a tape measure wouldn't really show much difference... If you have the nerdy urges I have... ;-)

demoiselle2014

I'll consider calipers. I only bought a scale to measure my weight for the first time two months ago. The tape measure is on hand because I like to sew.

ElizabethKalmbach

HAHAHAHAHA. I buy 6 tapes a year for sewing, and they all vanish within a month... I think there's some kind of wormhole in my sewing area... The calipers aren't necessary if you're happy with the data you get from seeing yourself in the mirror.

demoiselle2014

Yeah, I am surprised that this tape has lasted at least six months. I don't know where all the others have gone!

LivingtheLeanDream

This is what I'm experiencing too! stats and weight staying the same but I can see I'm looking trimmer in general and friends telling me I'm looking thin! (Which at 133lbs I'm not). ..I'm not new to exercise though so I think my body is just adjusting it's shape, fine tuning perhaps? Its all good anyway
(I've been maintaining for a year and my stats are 27" waist /35.5" hip)

nxd10

Weight is easy - I've lost many inches and stayed the same weight. Sometimes the change is in how solid you look and also not on the 'measure' spots. So my hip measure is the same on the wides spot, but the curves look different. They're solid not soft because they're muscle. My thighs and arms look much better, but who measures that?

Go with it. You're doing great.

DeguelloTex

Vaguely related: if you're a couple of months into C25K you might be pretty close to the end of the program. How's it been working for you?

I hate running. I don't remember the last time I ran without a coach yelling in a bullhorn that if I didn't speed up and run an 8-minute mile he'd never let me pitch again.

That said, I'm about to finish my second week of C25K. (C210K, really, but no promises on the 10 bit.) Surprisingly, it hasn't killed me and I'm having to convince myself not to speed up the program. 3.1 miles, let alone 6.2 seems like a long way off right now.

demoiselle2014

I graduated on Tuesday, and it has turned me into someone who likes to run (slowly). I did it in 9 weeks, because I repeated week 5. I was on vacation in Cancun for the first long run, and with the heat I couldn't quite make it.

Seriously, I am proud of myself.

DeguelloTex

demoiselle2014 wrote: »

I graduated on Tuesday, and it has turned me into someone who likes to run (slowly). I did it in 9 weeks, because I repeated week 5. I was on vacation in Cancun for the first long run, and with the heat I couldn't quite make it.

Seriously, I am proud of myself.

Very cool. Thanks for the info. Congrats.

ndj1979

LilyMammoth wrote: »

You replaced fat with muscle, so you probably look firmer.

sorry, but it does not work that way …

you add new muscle, yes, but you don't replace fat with muscle..

and I doubt OP is doing that with a three day a week cardio routine….

leggup

You might want to get an auto-tightening tape measure. That way you can be more consistent. You can also take progress photos in the same attire and see what changes.

seiffertrk

ndj1979 wrote: »

LilyMammoth wrote: »

You replaced fat with muscle, so you probably look firmer.

sorry, but it does not work that way …

you add new muscle, yes, but you don't replace fat with muscle..

and I doubt OP is doing that with a three day a week cardio routine….

That's a pretty fine hair to split in this context. I'm sure the comment was not meant to imply that the fat magically turned into muscle.

The OP said she also added yoga and pilates. Even without that it is not unreasonable to expect that she probably built a little muscle in her legs in response to the running. If she now weighs the same but has more muscle, is that not a recomp?

More to the point, who was this post supposed to help? It just added confusion and negativity to a thread that was very positive.

@demoiselle2014 Seriously, you should be proud of yourself. I've had a couple of these "unexpected victories" along the way too. They are awesome and motivating. Keep going!

ndj1979

seiffertrk wrote: »

ndj1979 wrote: »

LilyMammoth wrote: »

You replaced fat with muscle, so you probably look firmer.

sorry, but it does not work that way …

you add new muscle, yes, but you don't replace fat with muscle..

and I doubt OP is doing that with a three day a week cardio routine….

That's a pretty fine hair to split in this context. I'm sure the comment was not meant to imply that the fat magically turned into muscle.

The OP said she also added yoga and pilates. Even without that it is not unreasonable to expect that she probably built a little muscle in her legs in response to the running. If she now weighs the same but has more muscle, is that not a recomp?

More to the point, who was this post supposed to help? It just added confusion and negativity to a thread that was very positive.

@demoiselle2014 Seriously, you should be proud of yourself. I've had a couple of these "unexpected victories" along the way too. They are awesome and motivating. Keep going!

so adding science to the discussion is negative? I am sorry but disagreement does not equal negativity.

I am just letting OP now that she is not replacing fat with muscle.

I have seen no literature on yoga and pilates leading to newibie gains. But if you have some please feel free to share it with me.

demoiselle2014

ndj1979 wrote: »

LilyMammoth wrote: »

You replaced fat with muscle, so you probably look firmer.

sorry, but it does not work that way …

you add new muscle, yes, but you don't replace fat with muscle..

and I doubt OP is doing that with a three day a week cardio routine….

I weigh 116 lbs at almost 5'4". I am not interested in losing any significant weight.

demoiselle2014

seiffertrk wrote: »

ndj1979 wrote: »

LilyMammoth wrote: »

You replaced fat with muscle, so you probably look firmer.

sorry, but it does not work that way …

you add new muscle, yes, but you don't replace fat with muscle..

and I doubt OP is doing that with a three day a week cardio routine….

That's a pretty fine hair to split in this context. I'm sure the comment was not meant to imply that the fat magically turned into muscle.

The OP said she also added yoga and pilates. Even without that it is not unreasonable to expect that she probably built a little muscle in her legs in response to the running. If she now weighs the same but has more muscle, is that not a recomp?

More to the point, who was this post supposed to help? It just added confusion and negativity to a thread that was very positive.

@demoiselle2014 Seriously, you should be proud of yourself. I've had a couple of these "unexpected victories" along the way too. They are awesome and motivating. Keep going!

@seiffertrk, thank you for the kind comment. I feel good about what I am doing and where I am now. I wouldn't be surprised if I had some slight newbie gains in muscle. I haven't run before, though I've done a lot of dancing. Although I haven't been tracking my diet because I haven't had any particular plan to lose weight or gain muscle, I have added protein supplements to my diet and some additional calories (most likely).

demoiselle2014

ndj1979 wrote: »

seiffertrk wrote: »

ndj1979 wrote: »

LilyMammoth wrote: »

You replaced fat with muscle, so you probably look firmer.

sorry, but it does not work that way …

you add new muscle, yes, but you don't replace fat with muscle..

and I doubt OP is doing that with a three day a week cardio routine….

That's a pretty fine hair to split in this context. I'm sure the comment was not meant to imply that the fat magically turned into muscle.

The OP said she also added yoga and pilates. Even without that it is not unreasonable to expect that she probably built a little muscle in her legs in response to the running. If she now weighs the same but has more muscle, is that not a recomp?

More to the point, who was this post supposed to help? It just added confusion and negativity to a thread that was very positive.

@demoiselle2014 Seriously, you should be proud of yourself. I've had a couple of these "unexpected victories" along the way too. They are awesome and motivating. Keep going!

so adding science to the discussion is negative? I am sorry but disagreement does not equal negativity.

I am just letting OP now that she is not replacing fat with muscle.

I have seen no literature on yoga and pilates leading to newibie gains. But if you have some please feel free to share it with me.

I am not sure I understand what misapprehension you are trying to correct. Are you afraid I think that fat magically transforms into muscle from exercise? I do appreciate any help you'd like to offer. I'm here to learn, after all.

demoiselle2014

ndj1979 wrote: »

I have seen no literature on yoga and pilates leading to newibie gains. But if you have some please feel free to share it with me.

The pilates is a lot of high repetition, low weight or bodyweight exercise. I doubt it would be enough to build any significant muscle, though I can certainly feel an increase in *strength* in my core from the exercise, which I definitely need. The yoga is for stretching and flexibility--I'm doing hatha style, very easy, alongside my husband who has not had classes before, and doesn't want to do anything too vigorous until he is very comfortable with as many different poses as possible. I can't imagine it's building muscle at all. Perhaps if I were doing a more vigorous form...