Strength Training: The Scale isn't Moving

Everburg16

Hi everyone.

I know this has been asked SO many times, but I feel I have a more personal reason to ask, so here it is again.

I'm 32, female, I weigh (I believe) 354 lbs, and I am 5'9. I've lost 43 lbs since January. I eat 2200 calories a day, and yes, I weigh every little thing (I'm seriously annoying my Husband with my measuring EVERYTHING on my food scale, LOL).

I started strength training over a month ago. During the week, I do a 22 minute cardio/weight training DVD routine, an upper body weight lifting routine, a core workout, and I also bike and swim. I typically work out 3 to 4 days a week, with a rest day in between. I've also added in push-ups, dead lifts and squats and lunges.

Since I started, I noticed my thighs and upper arms have gone up an inch, and I've lost inches off of my waist and hips. I can actually see a bit of definition on my biceps (crazy!). I'm happy with that, truly. But the scale has said that I gained 7 lbs for a few weeks now. It says 361.

Now, normally, it wouldn't be a big deal, because I'm losing inches. I could ignore the scale.

However, the whole reason I am doing this is to be able to get fertility help.

My Husband and I have been trying to conceive for over 2 years now, with no success. I was told at my appointment with a fertility doctor here last year that they won't help me conceive, or even try to figure out what's wrong, unless my BMI is 36. She says no doctor will, it's an insurance thing.

So I added it up, and I'd have to be around 250 lbs to have a BMI good enough for them to help me. 104 or so lbs to go. So you can see why I need the scale to move.

So I guess my question is, will the scale start moving again soon? Or should I give up the strength training and wait to do it until I get to the BMI I need to be?

DeterminedBex

Perhaps it's your diet that needs checking.

Everburg16

Perhaps it's your diet that needs checking.

As I mentioned above, my diet is good. 2200 cal, I weigh everything, and evidence in that I've lost 5 inches the past 2 weeks off my hips and waist.

codycsweet

patience and time is what you need IMHO
The scale is only one indicator, BMI, and measurements are others, and taking pictures if your not you need to. It really helps when the scale isn't moving. I would love to loose inches even if the scale doesn't move. I will even gladly stay the same weight if I can get rid of this double stomach gut.
Give it time and the scale will start to catch up with the inches you are dropping. What I have learned is patience because when I have tried in the past to loose weight I wanted it off quickly I didn't stick with a "diet" for long but this "lifestyle change" has me going on almost a year and a half. Good luck to you

mochapygmy

Since you are new to strength training your muscles are retaining water to aid with recovery. That's why you've increased inches in your arms likely. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and prepare to not see the scale move for a few weeks. When your body is more comfortable with this new activity it will release the extra water weight. When that will be varies by person. Until then keep measuring, logging, drinking lots of water and strength training.

Good luck on your road to health and baby!

meshashesha2012

do you have any other health issues like pcos?

but if you've lost inches then you're on the right track. it might take a while to show changes on the scale though

Everburg16

patience and time is what you need IMHO
The scale is only one indicator, BMI, and measurements are others, and taking pictures if your not you need to. It really helps when the scale isn't moving. I would love to loose inches even if the scale doesn't move. I will even gladly stay the same weight if I can get rid of this double stomach gut.
Give it time and the scale will start to catch up with the inches you are dropping. What I have learned is patience because when I have tried in the past to loose weight I wanted it off quickly I didn't stick with a "diet" for long but this "lifestyle change" has me going on almost a year and a half. Good luck to you

Thank you. I appreciate your advice. I think I will definitely start taking pictures and will try to have patience. It's difficult when you've waited so long to conceive.

Everburg16

Since you are new to strength training your muscles are retaining water to aid with recovery. That's why you've increased inches in your arms likely. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and prepare to not see the scale move for a few weeks. When your body is more comfortable with this new activity it will release the extra water weight. When that will be varies by person. Until then keep measuring, logging, drinking lots of water and strength training.

Good luck on your road to health and baby!

Thank you SO much. I was wondering about those inches! I'll definitely up my water intake. Your reply was so helpful.

Everburg16

do you have any other health issues like pcos?

but if you've lost inches then you're on the right track. it might take a while to show changes on the scale though

The only one I know for sure is insulin resistance, which I realize many people with PCOS have that, so it's a possibility. Thank you for your reply, it did ease my mind.

Everburg16

First month i did strenght training i gained 11 lbs as well

This was mostly because of holding water.

Drink a lot of water each day. I would say 2,5-3 liter a day.
Since i started to do that the scale started to drop again.

I don't have too much weight to lose anymore, mainly need to lose Bodyfat.
But drinking water helped me a lot in the past.

Drink 1 big glass of water before working out (about 10-15 minuts before) drink during your workout. 1-1,5 liter and drink again after your workout 1 big glass

Try and see what the effects will be on you

I'm glad to know that gaining like that has happened to other people when they started and that it's normal. I'll definitely start drinking more water - I've been drinking 1.5 liters a day, so I'll up to 3 and see if that helps. Thanks so much for your advice and reply.