Weight loss alternating with inches lost?

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Niki_Fitz
Niki_Fitz Posts: 945 Member
edited May 2017 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm fairly new here and could us some insight. I seem to alternate weeks when I lose inches and feel stronger in my workouts with no weight lost, and I have weeks when I lose weight a little more steadily. Is my this a natural recomposition happening? I have never formally tried to do this and don't particularly want to, I just want to maintain a small deficit, focus on protein intake, and enjoy my exercise. I used to lift weights and be a smaller, stronger 138lbs than my 138 post-baby. I'm trying to get back to my former maintenance weight of 130. Does this cycle of lose weight then change shape seem ok to those who know more about body recomposition?

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  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,572 Member
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    Are you eating at maintenance or in a deficit?

    If you're in maintenance, and training properly, the recomposition will come. If you're in a deficit, weight loss is not linear, so you will have weeks when you won't lose. You will also have weeks when you feel stronger whether you're in a deficit, surplus, OR maintenance, based on a lot of factors-sleep, nutrition, phase of your menstrual cycle, etc.
  • Niki_Fitz
    Niki_Fitz Posts: 945 Member
    edited May 2017
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    Thanks @bbell1985. I am aiming for a small deficit. It's 500 calories and if I do intense exercise I aim to eat half back or less. 1360 for 5'6" me. An average loss of 1 lb week but it fluctuates.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,572 Member
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    Thanks @bbell1985. I am aiming for a small deficit. It's 500 calories and if I do intense exercise I aim to eat half back or less. 1360 for 5'6" me. An average loss of 1 lb week but it fluctuates.

    500 is not a small deficit with your stats. It's edging above moderate.

    Yes, the weight loss will fluctuate. It is common.