Can you lose inches but not fat?

Francl27

The nurse at the gym has a machine that calculates body fat by putting something on your arm. You go every 3 months and get measured etc.

I went today and lost inches everywhere since last time but the machine says that the 3 pounds I lost are muscle. Is that technically possible? It makes no sense to me. I've been lifting weights the whole time, but not making much progress strength wise. I use 15 to 45 pounds dumbbells 3 times a week doing basic squats, rows, overhead presses etc.

HerbertNenenger

First, that's a really cool gym; and
secondly, this happened in 3 months's time, with no fasting or starvation, and you've been working out the whole time?
I'd suspect that the nurse is reading or doing the test incorrectly if that's the case.
In either case, bump to see what others say. I'm curious.

KylaDenay

I am curious to know as well. It doesn't seem right to me.

Dragonwolf

It's probably a bioelectric impedance calculator, which has a pretty hefty margin of error, because water levels can easily affect the reading (because water is conductive).

It is technically possible to just lose muscle, but it's doubtful that you did, since you're doing some freeweight training. Odds are, you actually retained a good chunk of your muscle, but your water retention went up quite a bit and is throwing off the reading.

I would recommend trading the dumbbells for a barbell, though, especially if you're using 45lb ones regularly.

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

4legsRbetterthan2

It is technically possible but from your post it does not sound probable. I would find out what the machine is and do some research on its accuracy. I am guessing it is low.

sculli123

There's probably a error rate +/- a certain amount that throws it off. I mean it's not 100% accurate, over a longer period of time with several readings will probably help though. Either that or do a bodpod reading (supposed to be the most accurate) if you have one near you. I want to try it one of these days but it's pretty expensive.

Francl27

She said it's 0.5% accurate. I did gain 1 pound of water since yesterday though (ate too much yesterday) but still. I don't believe one word of it.

And I know, barbell is better, just can't do it at the gym and I don't want to spend more money on gym stuff right now.

Beautifulbridgittlee7

I don't think you lost any muscle, if your still losing inches, even if the scale is stuck.

Dragonwolf

She said it's 0.5% accurate. I did gain 1 pound of water since yesterday though (ate too much yesterday) but still. I don't believe one word of it.

And I know, barbell is better, just can't do it at the gym and I don't want to spend more money on gym stuff right now.

Why can't you do it at the gym?

Heartisalonelyhunter

She said it's 0.5% accurate. I did gain 1 pound of water since yesterday though (ate too much yesterday) but still. I don't believe one word of it.

And I know, barbell is better, just can't do it at the gym and I don't want to spend more money on gym stuff right now.

Why can't you do it at the gym?

This. I don't understand why you are messing around with dumbells at home when you are already paying for a gym membership. Doesn't the gym have a weight room???

Francl27

She said it's 0.5% accurate. I did gain 1 pound of water since yesterday though (ate too much yesterday) but still. I don't believe one word of it.

And I know, barbell is better, just can't do it at the gym and I don't want to spend more money on gym stuff right now.

Why can't you do it at the gym?

Their equipment isn't that great, and it's not really convenient for me to go to the gym all the time for it anyway... Rather be able to do something at home that I know will be sustainable - that's why I got the barbells in the first place. But I'm only doing 45 lbs on squats anyway, if that.

I only have the gym membership to go in the Summer when it's too hot to walk/run outside and when the kids are off school. I really don't have any desire to do heavy lifting... I'm not chasing the perfect body, and I know myself and I know I don't enjoy lifting one bit anyway. I'm just wondering if it's possible to lose inches and not fat.

Dragonwolf

She said it's 0.5% accurate. I did gain 1 pound of water since yesterday though (ate too much yesterday) but still. I don't believe one word of it.

And I know, barbell is better, just can't do it at the gym and I don't want to spend more money on gym stuff right now.

Why can't you do it at the gym?

Their equipment isn't that great, and it's not really convenient for me to go to the gym all the time for it anyway... Rather be able to do something at home that I know will be sustainable - that's why I got the barbells in the first place. But I'm only doing 45 lbs on squats anyway, if that.

I only have the gym membership to go in the Summer when it's too hot to walk/run outside and when the kids are off school. I really don't have any desire to do heavy lifting... I'm not chasing the perfect body, and I know myself and I know I don't enjoy lifting one bit anyway. I'm just wondering if it's possible to lose inches and not fat.

I was just curious, since you mentioned you'd been lifting, but hadn't made much strength gains, and lifting 45lb dumbbells means you're getting close to maxing out dumbbells. The Olympic bar is 45lb (and standard is about 25lb), which makes it easy to start with the bar and be able to work up from there if you do any kind of progressive load routine.

For what it's worth, lifting isn't just about "chasing the perfect body," but is also hugely beneficial to health, including osteoporosis prevention, injury prevention, and hormone function (a lot of the lady lifters I know don't actually do it for the physique; they do it for the strength and health benefits, the physique is just a pleasant side effect), but the benefits are limited if you're not trying to progress (and really, the same goes for any workout routine -- if you aren't trying to progress, then you're just kind of stagnating).

And don't knock it if you haven't tried a good program. Seriously, the 3x15 stuff would bore the hell out of me, but a good 3x5 or 5x5 routine is tons of fun, in my opinion. :laugh: :flowerforyou:

But that said, if you don't have an interest in it, then that's your choice. I was just curious why you couldn't do it at the gym, and the weights you mentioned made more sense to start doing with a barbell, for the aforementioned reasons, and that's why I suggested it.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

She said it's 0.5% accurate. I did gain 1 pound of water since yesterday though (ate too much yesterday) but still. I don't believe one word of it.

And I know, barbell is better, just can't do it at the gym and I don't want to spend more money on gym stuff right now.

Well she would be wrong. I don't think any method has that accuracy except maybe autopsy.

This says 8%:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/830595-body-fat-estimation-methods

Aaron_K123

The nurse at the gym has a machine that calculates body fat by putting something on your arm. You go every 3 months and get measured etc.

I went today and lost inches everywhere since last time but the machine says that the 3 pounds I lost are muscle. Is that technically possible? It makes no sense to me. I've been lifting weights the whole time, but not making much progress strength wise. I use 15 to 45 pounds dumbbells 3 times a week doing basic squats, rows, overhead presses etc.

I am not aware of any accurate bodyfat measuring device that involves putting on an arm cuff. Sounds like bioelectric impedance to me which is far from accurate.

I agree that the 0.5% accuracy claim is total bunk, I don't even think a DEXA scan can claim that.

Francl27

She said it's 0.5% accurate. I did gain 1 pound of water since yesterday though (ate too much yesterday) but still. I don't believe one word of it.

And I know, barbell is better, just can't do it at the gym and I don't want to spend more money on gym stuff right now.

Well she would be wrong. I don't think any method has that accuracy except maybe autopsy.

:laugh:

It's what I'm telling myself. Maybe it's just denial. I mean I've been keeping an eye on my hips and I can see that I've slimmed down there. Just kinda put me in a bad mood. Or maybe it's PMS.

Francl27

The nurse at the gym has a machine that calculates body fat by putting something on your arm. You go every 3 months and get measured etc.

I went today and lost inches everywhere since last time but the machine says that the 3 pounds I lost are muscle. Is that technically possible? It makes no sense to me. I've been lifting weights the whole time, but not making much progress strength wise. I use 15 to 45 pounds dumbbells 3 times a week doing basic squats, rows, overhead presses etc.

I am not aware of any accurate bodyfat measuring device that involves putting on an arm cuff.

It's a kind of plastic ring with a device in the middle. My hydration was way higher than last time too, probably because I've been retaining water like crazy. Who knows. I'm not going there again, rather track my results myself than to be disappointed by a so called professional (and yeah they're not going to tell you that their stuff isn't accurate either, what would be the point in that).

Aaron_K123

She said it's 0.5% accurate. I did gain 1 pound of water since yesterday though (ate too much yesterday) but still. I don't believe one word of it.

And I know, barbell is better, just can't do it at the gym and I don't want to spend more money on gym stuff right now.

Well she would be wrong. I don't think any method has that accuracy except maybe autopsy.

:laugh:

It's what I'm telling myself. Maybe it's just denial. I mean I've been keeping an eye on my hips and I can see that I've slimmed down there. Just kinda put me in a bad mood. Or maybe it's PMS.

Honestly if you lost inches you probably look slimmer, feel better and chances are high you lost fat. Have you lost muscle as well? Can't say, but you have lost fat if you have lost inches guaranteed.

Gym's aren't really known for their high standards of measurement and chances are your nurse at the gym is just a paid employee selling their services not an expert.

Francl27

She said it's 0.5% accurate. I did gain 1 pound of water since yesterday though (ate too much yesterday) but still. I don't believe one word of it.

And I know, barbell is better, just can't do it at the gym and I don't want to spend more money on gym stuff right now.

Why can't you do it at the gym?

Their equipment isn't that great, and it's not really convenient for me to go to the gym all the time for it anyway... Rather be able to do something at home that I know will be sustainable - that's why I got the barbells in the first place. But I'm only doing 45 lbs on squats anyway, if that.

I only have the gym membership to go in the Summer when it's too hot to walk/run outside and when the kids are off school. I really don't have any desire to do heavy lifting... I'm not chasing the perfect body, and I know myself and I know I don't enjoy lifting one bit anyway. I'm just wondering if it's possible to lose inches and not fat.

I was just curious, since you mentioned you'd been lifting, but hadn't made much strength gains, and lifting 45lb dumbbells means you're getting close to maxing out dumbbells. The Olympic bar is 45lb (and standard is about 25lb), which makes it easy to start with the bar and be able to work up from there if you do any kind of progressive load routine.

For what it's worth, lifting isn't just about "chasing the perfect body," but is also hugely beneficial to health, including osteoporosis prevention, injury prevention, and hormone function (a lot of the lady lifters I know don't actually do it for the physique; they do it for the strength and health benefits, the physique is just a pleasant side effect), but the benefits are limited if you're not trying to progress (and really, the same goes for any workout routine -- if you aren't trying to progress, then you're just kind of stagnating).

And don't knock it if you haven't tried a good program. Seriously, the 3x15 stuff would bore the hell out of me, but a good 3x5 or 5x5 routine is tons of fun, in my opinion. :laugh: :flowerforyou:

But that said, if you don't have an interest in it, then that's your choice. I was just curious why you couldn't do it at the gym, and the weights you mentioned made more sense to start doing with a barbell, for the aforementioned reasons, and that's why I suggested it.

I might try it in the future, but that gym really focuses on dumbbells, machines and classes. Go figure. At the same time, I might be doing it all wrong anyway, considering I can't seem to increase my weights as often as I should either (I was dumb and only bought dumbbells that go up by 5 pounds, so I find myself unable to do 3 sets of 8 reps when 3 sets of 10 or 12 is pretty easy).