Losing Weight or Losing Inches or both?

Irishfaerie86
Irishfaerie86 Posts: 34 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
At first when I started my diet and exercise plan I went on to lose 20 pounds but now I'm not losing anymore. However I took my measurements around my waist last week and then yesterday and I lost an inch off my waist. Is it more important to focus on losing the pounds or inches? I never took my measurements in the beginning (when I lost 20 pounds) so I only know I lost one inch since last week. It's also frustrating when one day I weight 128 then almost 130 but my waist it seems to be slimming down so I guess that's good!

Replies

  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    Both are important. If you are not losing weight but are losing inches, then you're progressing. If you lose weight but aren't losing inches, then you may be losing some weight from areas you aren't measuring (e.g. your upper back) or are losing a little bit everywhere. If you aren't losing in either then you're either retaining a lot of water or you're maintaining.
  • funchords
    funchords Posts: 413 Member
    Is it more important to focus on losing the pounds or inches

    It's more important to focus on learning a healthy lifestyle. Both the pounds and inches are the effect, not the cause. We measure them for encouragement and validation of our effort.

    I measure inches, weight, and body fat percentage. As long as these are generally heading in the right direction, I find encouragement and know that my program is working. Someday they will probably tell me that I'm leveling off. I think that will be in the neighborhood of 180 but it could be 170 or 195. If it levels off much higher than that, I think I'll double-check my program before deciding I've reached my final weight loss.

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