gaining muscle losing inches?

cppeace

people keep telling me Im gaining muscle which is why the scale is creeping down so slow even though Im losing inches fast. I've also been told its almost impossible to gain muscle while in a calorie deficit. I'm eating about 1650 calories a day doing about 450 burned calories worth of exercise. Losing about an inch off my waist every 10 days but scale is barely budging off of this 235 range. Ive upped my protein and am always watchful of sodium. I drink plenty of water. Am I doing something wrong or will the scale start steady going down soon?
Thanks

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

From the way you described it, you really do gain muscle so don't worry you're not doing anything wrong. You should be happy & proud of it & stop obssessing the scale. Moreover I disagree that its impossible to gain muscle while on a calorie deficit. I have seen a lot of people actually on a deficit but still gaining muscle including myself.

Or on the other hand, it could be that your body is retaining water to repair the torn muscles. Sometimes our bodies have this tendency to retain water especially when you have just started to work out. This is caused by muscle soreness.

snookumss

Girly you should watch for ANY results! If the scale doesn't go down, but the inches do... Be Proud! Its your body doing its thing... eventually it will do the opposite again! At least you aren't like me, I only lost like an inch around my belly and one pound in the last 80 days. I've gotten so frustrated, but I've learned to appreciate each little change

kir911

You will see the scale moves, but it does take a while, I lost alot of inches before I ever lost much weight. Just keep doing what your doing!

fteale

I had the same. In the first 3 months I lost 3 inches off each of my waist, hips and bust, and yet only lost 4 lbs. I was forever being told I had gained muscle, but also that you can't gain muscle with a calorie deficit.

I have definitely gained muscle on my legs since I started running, and yet have been in a slight calorie deficit all that time, so I just can't believe that is the case. I agree I have lost some from my arms and back. Perhaps it just relocated?

dad106

If you've never strength trained before, are coming back from a break, or are really overweight, then you can gain muscle in a calorie deficit. Those gains though, won't be very much. To gain true muscle(and subsequently fat) you need to eat a slight calorie surplus, and lift heavy.

Do you ever take rest days? Your muscles may not have enough time to repair themselves, and thats why the scale is not moving.. since they tend to hold on to water while repairing themselves.

dad106

I had the same. In the first 3 months I lost 3 inches off each of my waist, hips and bust, and yet only lost 4 lbs. I was forever being told I had gained muscle, but also that you can't gain muscle with a calorie deficit.

I have definitely gained muscle on my legs since I started running, and yet have been in a slight calorie deficit all that time, so I just can't believe that is the case. I agree I have lost some from my arms and back. Perhaps it just relocated?

No it hasn't relocated.. whats happening is when you do only cardio and no strength training or very little, the cardio eats both the muscle and fat. By strength training and doing cardio, you preserve what muscle you have and make them stronger.

You are also not gaining muscle from running.. you may be burning the fat so that you can see the muscle more, but thats about it. In order to gain and build muscle, you have to be overloading the muscle to the point that it breaks down and then repairs it's self...and running as, far as I can tell, doesn't do that.

fteale

I had the same. In the first 3 months I lost 3 inches off each of my waist, hips and bust, and yet only lost 4 lbs. I was forever being told I had gained muscle, but also that you can't gain muscle with a calorie deficit.

I have definitely gained muscle on my legs since I started running, and yet have been in a slight calorie deficit all that time, so I just can't believe that is the case. I agree I have lost some from my arms and back. Perhaps it just relocated?

No it hasn't relocated.. whats happening is when you do only cardio and no strength training or very little, the cardio eats both the muscle and fat. By strength training and doing cardio, you preserve what muscle you have and make them stronger.

You are also not gaining muscle from running.. you may be burning the fat so that you can see the muscle more, but thats about it. In order to gain and build muscle, you have to be overloading the muscle to the point that it breaks down and then repairs it's self...and running as, far as I can tell, doesn't do that.

I do boot camp classes with a lot of squats and lunges and light weights as well. And I assure you I have gained muscle on my legs (though lost it from my arms). And been eating a slight deficit for 10 months.

meldickman

I completely understand! I've been on here for 3 months and only lost 4-5 pounds. I have been doing my elliptical and treadmil for on average 2 hours a day and burning about 900 calories a day. Most days I am under my calorie goal and eating healthy. I do notice my clothes fitting much loser though. I am still kinda confused on the whole eating your exercise back. How bout you?

Helloitsdan

It's hard to tell this early! When you stall out and nothing happens for a week then evaluate and adjust!
Great starting calories though!
At least you arent starving yourself to death!