Losing inches but not weight?!

RLFlores92
RLFlores92 Posts: 32 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all!

For the past month I have incorporated weight training (heavy lifts) into my workout regime. 4 days a week I do 40min of weights and then 30 min of cardio as a cool down. I have two active rest days where I run/walk 4.5 miles and play volleyball for two hours. With my calories I will eat about 1300-1350 on a normal day (while watching my macros) and about 1700 on my cheat day. Either way I'm still at a deficit.

What is baffling me is that I'm losing inches but the scale has been stagnant. I've been stuck fluctuating between 163 and 164.8lbs all month! I know I'm losing inches because I can now fit into size 8 jeans, my bra size has gone from a 34DDD to a 34DD and my arms have gotten slightly smaller and my legs are getting super toned!

Is this normal with weight training? Should I back off the scale for a bit and just base my weight loss on my clothes?

Replies

  • RLFlores92
    RLFlores92 Posts: 32 Member
    Thanks!

    This makes me feel a whole lot better! I was losing consistently while just dieting, but once I added in exercises it's kinda been all over the place. I'm only 5'2", so ideally I would like to lose weight, but if that comes at a slower rate and I'm still losing body fat, then I don't have much to complain about :)
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    Keep at it! You have to remember when you weigh that water weight will often mask any scale losses. If you are losing inches, keep on it!
  • CincyNeid
    CincyNeid Posts: 1,249 Member
    Muscle is more dense than fat. One pound of muscle take up less volume than one pound of fat.

    What your body is doing is perfectly normal. Being Fit doesn't always mean being rail thin, or super skinny.

    From my personal Journey I went from 326lbs to 217lbs in about a years time. From a 4XL shirt to a Large. But here recently my weight has been staying the same 220-225 but my clothing is getting baggier and baggier. I'm down into a medium in shorts and a medium in shirts.

    keep up the good fight and you're on the right track.
  • RLFlores92
    RLFlores92 Posts: 32 Member
    Thanks! I agree, I would much rather be fit and athletic then just thin. Plus I really like pushing myself during my workouts. Maybe I'll buy a measuring tape and track my progress that way instead :)
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    CincyNeid wrote: »
    Muscle is more dense than fat. One pound of muscle take up less volume than one pound of fat.

    What your body is doing is perfectly normal. Being Fit doesn't always mean being rail thin, or super skinny.

    From my personal Journey I went from 326lbs to 217lbs in about a years time. From a 4XL shirt to a Large. But here recently my weight has been staying the same 220-225 but my clothing is getting baggier and baggier. I'm down into a medium in shorts and a medium in shirts.

    keep up the good fight and you're on the right track.


    True, but with the OP lifting at the deficit she claims her scale progress isn't being masked by muscle but by the standard water retention.

    OP. When we start a new workout plan (especially when adding in lifting), or increase the intensity of our current program our body retains water for muscle repair until it adjusts to the workout. If you're clothes are fitting better you're on the right track. At some point here you should have a "woosh" where the scale progress catches up with the tape measure progress. It's when your body flushes out the water it has been retaining.
  • DanielleTake2
    DanielleTake2 Posts: 51 Member
    RLFlores92 wrote: »
    Hi all!

    For the past month I have incorporated weight training (heavy lifts) into my workout regime. 4 days a week I do 40min of weights and then 30 min of cardio as a cool down. I have two active rest days where I run/walk 4.5 miles and play volleyball for two hours. With my calories I will eat about 1300-1350 on a normal day (while watching my macros) and about 1700 on my cheat day. Either way I'm still at a deficit.

    What is baffling me is that I'm losing inches but the scale has been stagnant. I've been stuck fluctuating between 163 and 164.8lbs all month! I know I'm losing inches because I can now fit into size 8 jeans, my bra size has gone from a 34DDD to a 34DD and my arms have gotten slightly smaller and my legs are getting super toned!

    Is this normal with weight training? Should I back off the scale for a bit and just base my weight loss on my clothes?

    This is exactly what I've been experiencing! Fluctuating between 148-152 for months and months! Question for you, OP, do you think you're eating enough? 1400 calories while lifting heavy weights seems low -- but I'm struggling to find a calorie range that's helping me get results. I've tried 1400, 1600, 1800 and still the scale won't budge!
  • RLFlores92
    RLFlores92 Posts: 32 Member
    I'm pretty good at where I'm at calorie wise. I try to fit in more protein and it helps keep me energized and I don't feel like I'm starving!
  • Tweaking_Time
    Tweaking_Time Posts: 733 Member
    CincyNeid wrote: »
    Muscle is more dense than fat. One pound of muscle take up less volume than one pound of fat.

    ty @CincyNeid for saying muscle is DENSER than fat and explaining the concept of density vs. weight. Unfortunately I think you and I are in the minority with stating this fact accurately. I hate when peeps say muscle weighs more than fat.

    Sorry about getting "sort-of" off topic OP. I read through the threads and have nothing new to add. Good luck!

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