Inches lost but no weight loss?

yoshri

Hello
This is my first post and I am pretty new to this whole fitness/counting calorie thing.
I am 5'2" was about 125 lbs (mom of 3)
Tired of having that yucky mommy tummy
I decided about 5 weeks ago to start making some changes and started Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I did it religiously every day and downloaded the mfp app, prior to that I had never counted calories in my life. I was probably eating close to 3000 sometimes lol
These are my before and after pics, my question is I have only lost about 3 lbs although I feel like I have lost inches. I never actually measures myself though. Is this normal?? I feel like I should have lost a lot more and I am really tracking everything I eat and continuing with the daily workouts

mommazach

Strengthening your muscles starts first with exercise. If you want to lose weight, you will have to measure and track intake also. I've gained inches in my legs (previously known as chicken legs) and now fit better into my jeans. I have lost about 14 inches overall and about that many lbs. Now concentrating on the diet too to get rid of belly fat. You'll have to follow the guidelines to lose the weight too.

megomerrett

Start measuring the inches now - you can log it on MFP.
It's clear from the photos that you've made a positive change - well done.
Weight isn't always the best measure, especially as you weren't that heavy to start with. (I'm 5'1" and if I were under 9 stone I'd be over the moon!)

yoshri

mommazach wrote: »

Strengthening your muscles starts first with exercise. If you want to lose weight, you will have to measure and track intake also. I've gained inches in my legs (previously known as chicken legs) and now fit better into my jeans. I have lost about 14 inches overall and about that many lbs. Now concentrating on the diet too to get rid of belly fat. You'll have to follow the guidelines to lose the weight too.

Yeah I have been tracking my calories religiously though. I don't even eat all my exercise calories back most of the time.

JeromeBarry1

At your size, people seem to start caring more for inches, appearance, and feelings than pounds. Your appearance now is certainly 'tighter', and that should be a source of your satisfaction.

tantalum2000

At your size you are likely to see more loss in the inches than on the scale. You have clearly lost inches so I would begin tracking that. Remember that muscle weighs more than the equivalent volume of fat, so at times you won't see changes on the scale.

While I have much weight to still lose (-50 lbs so far this year), there are weeks I don't see a loss on the scale but see significant losses in inches.

robininfl

I think of smaller and not much lighter as the best result you can get. That indicates that you increased your lean mass, and reduced your fat.

At 125lb it's hard to lose weight by reducing calories just because you don't need many calories to maintain 125, and the minimum you need to be healthy is so close to the amount you need to maintain.

Are you satisfied with your results? That's what matters. Keep the mass and get strong and lean, most people would be happy with that.

storm1369

This is something that some folks have a hard time explaining. But, doing the Jillian program you are not only calorie counting, you are exercising and building/toning muscle. Here's the key, muscle weighs more than fat does. For instance, a cubic inch of muscle will always weigh more than a cubic inch of fat. So, what happens when you are both building muscle AND watching your diet/calories measuring inches become MUCH more accurate and necessary. For example, in a week you work off 4 lbs of fat, but you build a cubic inch of muscle. That muscle increase will actually INCREASE your weight to show a net loss of less than the 4 pounds, probably closer to a 2.8 or 2.9 net weight loss. Another example; if you lose four cubic inches of fat, yet build one cubic inch of muscle you will show a ZERO weight loss on the scales. This is why measurements are essential to keeping you motivated and in check. The measurements will reflect this change. So, as said above, the photo's above show you are making awesome progress. Don't let the scales depress you, they are not a true reflection of your body's health and progress.

yoshri

storm1369 wrote: »

This is something that some folks have a hard time explaining. But, doing the Jillian program you are not only calorie counting, you are exercising and building/toning muscle. Here's the key, muscle weighs more than fat does. For instance, a cubic inch of muscle will always weigh more than a cubic inch of fat. So, what happens when you are both building muscle AND watching your diet/calories measuring inches become MUCH more accurate and necessary. For example, in a week you work off 4 lbs of fat, but you build a cubic inch of muscle. That muscle increase will actually INCREASE your weight to show a net loss of less than the 4 pounds, probably closer to a 2.8 or 2.9 net weight loss. Another example; if you lose four cubic inches of fat, yet build one cubic inch of muscle you will show a ZERO weight loss on the scales. This is why measurements are essential to keeping you motivated and in check. The measurements will reflect this change. So, as said above, the photo's above show you are making awesome progress. Don't let the scales depress you, they are not a true reflection of your body's health and progress.

Thank you! That was helpful

RGv2

yoshri wrote: »

storm1369 wrote: »

This is something that some folks have a hard time explaining. But, doing the Jillian program you are not only calorie counting, you are exercising and building/toning muscle. Here's the key, muscle weighs more than fat does. For instance, a cubic inch of muscle will always weigh more than a cubic inch of fat. So, what happens when you are both building muscle AND watching your diet/calories measuring inches become MUCH more accurate and necessary. For example, in a week you work off 4 lbs of fat, but you build a cubic inch of muscle. That muscle increase will actually INCREASE your weight to show a net loss of less than the 4 pounds, probably closer to a 2.8 or 2.9 net weight loss. Another example; if you lose four cubic inches of fat, yet build one cubic inch of muscle you will show a ZERO weight loss on the scales. This is why measurements are essential to keeping you motivated and in check. The measurements will reflect this change. So, as said above, the photo's above show you are making awesome progress. Don't let the scales depress you, they are not a true reflection of your body's health and progress.

Thank you! That was helpful

Sorry OP, I wasn't going to chime in but you're not building muscle fast enough to offset scale losses performing Jillian Michaels DVD's and eating at the deficit you claim.

Odds are you probably maintained some muscle and are retaining water from the exercise. Building muscle, especially enough to offset the scale doesn't happen accidentally. It takes meticulous logging right under maintenance and a ton of work in a structured progressive overload program.

queenliz99

Inches trump scale weight every time.

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/113609/relatively-light-people-trying-to-get-leaner/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1

queenliz99

storm1369 wrote: »

This is something that some folks have a hard time explaining. But, doing the Jillian program you are not only calorie counting, you are exercising and building/toning muscle. Here's the key, muscle weighs more than fat does. For instance, a cubic inch of muscle will always weigh more than a cubic inch of fat. So, what happens when you are both building muscle AND watching your diet/calories measuring inches become MUCH more accurate and necessary. For example, in a week you work off 4 lbs of fat, but you build a cubic inch of muscle. That muscle increase will actually INCREASE your weight to show a net loss of less than the 4 pounds, probably closer to a 2.8 or 2.9 net weight loss. Another example; if you lose four cubic inches of fat, yet build one cubic inch of muscle you will show a ZERO weight loss on the scales. This is why measurements are essential to keeping you motivated and in check. The measurements will reflect this change. So, as said above, the photo's above show you are making awesome progress. Don't let the scales depress you, they are not a true reflection of your body's health and progress.

http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/weight-loss-plateau-myth-muscle-weighs-more-than-fat/

zoeysasha37

RGv2 wrote: »

yoshri wrote: »

storm1369 wrote: »

This is something that some folks have a hard time explaining. But, doing the Jillian program you are not only calorie counting, you are exercising and building/toning muscle. Here's the key, muscle weighs more than fat does. For instance, a cubic inch of muscle will always weigh more than a cubic inch of fat. So, what happens when you are both building muscle AND watching your diet/calories measuring inches become MUCH more accurate and necessary. For example, in a week you work off 4 lbs of fat, but you build a cubic inch of muscle. That muscle increase will actually INCREASE your weight to show a net loss of less than the 4 pounds, probably closer to a 2.8 or 2.9 net weight loss. Another example; if you lose four cubic inches of fat, yet build one cubic inch of muscle you will show a ZERO weight loss on the scales. This is why measurements are essential to keeping you motivated and in check. The measurements will reflect this change. So, as said above, the photo's above show you are making awesome progress. Don't let the scales depress you, they are not a true reflection of your body's health and progress.

Thank you! That was helpful

Sorry OP, I wasn't going to chime in but you're not building muscle fast enough to offset scale losses performing Jillian Michaels DVD's and eating at the deficit you claim.

Odds are you probably maintained some muscle and are retaining water from the exercise. Building muscle, especially enough to offset the scale doesn't happen accidentally. It takes meticulous logging right under maintenance and a ton of work in a structured progressive overload program.

I agree.
The OP stated that she was doing Jillian Michaels and counting her calories. It's very doubtful that the OP has actually gained muscle.

zoeysasha37

storm1369 wrote: »

This is something that some folks have a hard time explaining. But, doing the Jillian program you are not only calorie counting, you are exercising and building/toning muscle. Here's the key, muscle weighs more than fat does. For instance, a cubic inch of muscle will always weigh more than a cubic inch of fat. So, what happens when you are both building muscle AND watching your diet/calories measuring inches become MUCH more accurate and necessary. For example, in a week you work off 4 lbs of fat, but you build a cubic inch of muscle. That muscle increase will actually INCREASE your weight to show a net loss of less than the 4 pounds, probably closer to a 2.8 or 2.9 net weight loss. Another example; if you lose four cubic inches of fat, yet build one cubic inch of muscle you will show a ZERO weight loss on the scales. This is why measurements are essential to keeping you motivated and in check. The measurements will reflect this change. So, as said above, the photo's above show you are making awesome progress. Don't let the scales depress you, they are not a true reflection of your body's health and progress.

As a woman, I eat at a caloric surplus and lift heavy and have a hard time gaining measurable muscle mass. Why would you assume this OP who is doing a 35 min cardio workout and eating at a caloric deficit would be building muscle?

Sued0nim

storm1369 wrote: »

This is something that some folks have a hard time explaining. But, doing the Jillian program you are not only calorie counting, you are exercising and building/toning muscle. Here's the key, muscle weighs more than fat does. For instance, a cubic inch of muscle will always weigh more than a cubic inch of fat. So, what happens when you are both building muscle AND watching your diet/calories measuring inches become MUCH more accurate and necessary. For example, in a week you work off 4 lbs of fat, but you build a cubic inch of muscle. That muscle increase will actually INCREASE your weight to show a net loss of less than the 4 pounds, probably closer to a 2.8 or 2.9 net weight loss. Another example; if you lose four cubic inches of fat, yet build one cubic inch of muscle you will show a ZERO weight loss on the scales. This is why measurements are essential to keeping you motivated and in check. The measurements will reflect this change. So, as said above, the photo's above show you are making awesome progress. Don't let the scales depress you, they are not a true reflection of your body's health and progress.

I'm sorry but you really should disregard this including the picture which is massively overstated in terms of volume of fat to muscle...muscle actually takes up on average 4/5ths the space of fat lb for lb

You are simply not gaining muscle in defecit and following something like Jillian Michaels over a short term.

Water retention from change-up in exercise may well mask some of your weight loss though.

I would start taking measurements, and also start judging your weight loss in rolling 6-8 week cycles to smooth out natural water fluctuations

zoeysasha37

rabbitjb wrote: »

storm1369 wrote: »

This is something that some folks have a hard time explaining. But, doing the Jillian program you are not only calorie counting, you are exercising and building/toning muscle. Here's the key, muscle weighs more than fat does. For instance, a cubic inch of muscle will always weigh more than a cubic inch of fat. So, what happens when you are both building muscle AND watching your diet/calories measuring inches become MUCH more accurate and necessary. For example, in a week you work off 4 lbs of fat, but you build a cubic inch of muscle. That muscle increase will actually INCREASE your weight to show a net loss of less than the 4 pounds, probably closer to a 2.8 or 2.9 net weight loss. Another example; if you lose four cubic inches of fat, yet build one cubic inch of muscle you will show a ZERO weight loss on the scales. This is why measurements are essential to keeping you motivated and in check. The measurements will reflect this change. So, as said above, the photo's above show you are making awesome progress. Don't let the scales depress you, they are not a true reflection of your body's health and progress.

I'm sorry but you really should disregard this including the picture which is massively overstated in terms of volume of fat to muscle...muscle actually takes up on average 4/5ths the space of fat lb for lb

You are simply not gaining muscle in defecit and following something like Jillian Michaels over a short term.

Water retention from change-up in exercise may well mask some of your weight loss though.

I would start taking measurements, and also start judging your weight loss in rolling 6-8 week cycles to smooth out natural water fluctuations

this!

A friend just showed me this and I thought it could be useful here for the OP


http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/whats-my-genetic-muscular-potential.html/

AmberSpamber

I did one round of the 21 day fix program. In that time I lost just over 1 lb, but lost 7 inches. You need to remember than while loosing your fat, you are replacing it with muscle, so the scale is not the best way to show your progress. I only measure and take pics because the scale can get frustrating. The scale also doesn't take into account water retention and cycles. I always gain when I am a week before and after my period. It's obvious your making progress by your pictures. Just take a bit of advice from everyone here and keep on moving forward. You're doing great.

yoshri

AmberSpamber wrote: »

I did one round of the 21 day fix program. In that time I lost just over 1 lb, but lost 7 inches. You need to remember than while loosing your fat, you are replacing it with muscle, so the scale is not the best way to show your progress. I only measure and take pics because the scale can get frustrating. The scale also doesn't take into account water retention and cycles. I always gain when I am a week before and after my period. It's obvious your making progress by your pictures. Just take a bit of advice from everyone here and keep on moving forward. You're doing great.

Yes I am just finishing my period, didn't even think about that. I always feel bloated for the whole week, thanks!

robininfl

People saying you can't gain muscle without lifting are coming from a starting line of reasonably strong. I did lose fat doing Jazzercise and had good muscle tone but was skinny; had to change to jogging and yoga, this added obvious muscle to my arms and legs and 10lbs of weight which is mostly muscle.

So whether you can add muscle with bodyweight exercise depends on where you are starting. BUT - this ten pounds of muscle took 2 years to build. 5 weeks just isn't long enough to do that.

I want to second what amyrecbecca wrote, too, about posture. Fixing your posture would help a lot with the belly, you don't look fat.