How long does water retention stay?

tyediri

Hola all!

So I have been at pretty much the same weight since after Christmas. I sort of understand why, as I am close to my goal weight I have increased my calorie goal to 1500kcals a day and I do not weigh, so I probably eat slightly more than I do (although I try to overestimate whenever possible). I have now bought myself some scales, so we shall see how that goes.

Anyway, even though my weight has stayed the same, my inches have reduced and my muscles (especially my arms) are much more noticeable now. My calves feel like stone most of the time as well. Now as I am on a calorie deficit and I do not lift heavy (I do some weights, but no where near consistent enough to see proper results, I mostly do zumba, aerobics, walking and jogging). I am guessing this 'muscle growth' has to do with water retention? I am definitely not a noob, so it can't still be noob gains?

So i am slightly confused as to,
1. Why are my muscles feeling bigger
2. If it is water retention, how long is it going to last?

I am not too bothered about my weight to be fair, as long as I'm losing inches, but I am just curious as to what is happening! Am I being an idiot and missing something basic?

Thanks in advance all!

DavPul

1. Why are my muscles feeling bigger
2. If it is water retention, how long is it going to last?

1. *sighs* Sorry, nothing personal, it's just that anytime someone says that they "feel" bigger, my eyes go on auto-roll. You just said that when you measure, you are recording a reduction of inches. So if you're getting smaller, you're *not* getting bigger. The tape measure shows what the tape measure shows and feelings and perceptions go out the window.

2. Depends. But who cares. If you're close to goal weight, and your inches a noticeably reduced, who cares what the scale says? Because no one knows what you weigh, just how much better you look. And goal weights are a fiction anyway. They give you a target but they are pulled out of thin air. Get close to it and then go by how you look, but some arbitrary number from before you got started

tyediri

1. Sorry I meant harder, not bigger. My bad. My calves feel like stone and I have triceps (I have never had triceps, ever). But I am definitely getting smaller, so I'm guessing I am burning fat and therefore my muscles 'appear' bigger and more defined.

2. Thanks, and I agree. I am not bothered about my weight at all anymore. I am in the healthy weight range and my main motivation now is getting fitter, so I keep trying out more challenging exercises, etc.
The reason I want to know about water retention is purely curiosity. I have been spending time on MFP forums so I know your muscles do not get bigger if you are on a deficit, even if you lift heavy and the only way to achieve this is to eat at a surplus, have a lot of protein and lift heavy, and it is still going to be a slow process, especially for a woman.
I have also heard that you can get water retention for muscle repair which may make your muscles 'appear' bigger/harder/more defined. Just wondering (out of curiosity), how long this effect can last?

1. Why are my muscles feeling bigger
2. If it is water retention, how long is it going to last?

1. *sighs* Sorry, nothing personal, it's just that anytime someone says that they "feel" bigger, my eyes go on auto-roll. You just said that when you measure, you are recording a reduction of inches. So if you're getting smaller, you're *not* getting bigger. The tape measure shows what the tape measure shows and feelings and perceptions go out the window.

2. Depends. But who cares. If you're close to goal weight, and your inches a noticeably reduced, who cares what the scale says? Because no one knows what you weigh, just how much better you look. And goal weights are a fiction anyway. They give you a target but they are pulled out of thin air. Get close to it and then go by how you look, but some arbitrary number from before you got started