Why does weight loss slow down when lifting?

RedHeadDevotchka

There's a few reasons why....yusually when you start lifting you shouldn't be in such a huge calorie deficit, so there's that, also you do gain some from muscles holding onto water.
Throw out your scale!

DopeItUp

How do you figure muscle weighs more than fat? Muscle is denser, and more compact, but a lb is a lb.

Lol, thank you! I've been telling people this all day!

So if someone says "a bowling ball weighs more than a feather, you go around saying "NO YOU"RE WRONG!!!!, a pound of feathers is is the same weight as a pound of bowling balls"

To the OP, the reason why it slows down, is due to inflammation of the muscles.Causes water retention. Also your muscles are in use, they might try to hold on to more carbs(glycogen) which also weighs you down.

Yeah I wouldn't recommend running around telling people your newly discovered troll science either. They probably think you're mildly retarded if you can't understand the statement "muscle weighs more than fat".

margojr4

I agree with posters advising to toss the scale! Eat right and keep lifting. You'll get there!! In my profile I have a before after shot of a THREE pound difference yet I went down an average of three sizes! Building muscle not only lowers body fat but I get to EAT MORE hahaha :drinker:

kaervaak

a pound is a pound. Muscle weighs the same as fat, it just takes up less space.

BUT when strength training, your muscles retain a lot of water, which could make it look like your weight loss is slowing.

^this

Measurements and/or body fat calculations are a better indication of success than body weight.

DavPul

How do you figure muscle weighs more than fat? Muscle is denser, and more compact, but a lb is a lb.

Lol, thank you! I've been telling people this all day!

This has got to be some sort of world record for hijacking. Just stop.

For the OP, weight loss will slow down but fat loss will speed up. It's a win. You'll be looking better and wearing smaller sizes while the scale barely moves. Trust us, you will be happy with how you look.

amy1612

OMG - If the trolls start on the a pound is a pound again I'm deleting my account

May as well do it then....muscle does NOT weigh more than fat

meshashesha2012

sorry but you arent packing on pounds and pounds of muscle

weight loss is slower because of water retention and needing to eat more calories. if i didnt weight lift i could easily eat much less calories than i currently do and lose faster, but i need those extra calories to help recovery

RaggedyPond

I think I am in the same boat. Should I lower calories more to keep losing at the same rate? Still have plenty of BF to lose.

LJCannon

:drinker: bump

Lleldiranne

It took me two weeks after I started lifting before the scale went back down (it actually went up a couple pounds for me!) It's pretty much the water retention in the muscles. Keep lifting and drink plenty of water, and it'll catch up again soon.

Lleldiranne

I think I am in the same boat. Should I lower calories more to keep losing at the same rate? Still have plenty of BF to lose.

Don't lower calories. Give it at least a month. But do be careful of how many exercise calories you "eat back" … it's a lot harder to estimate burned calories correctly with weight lifting (HRMs usually are designed for cardio, not weights, and who knows how accurate MFP's estimate is… :laugh:)

If you're going to do a lot of lifting, I'd suggest the TDEE -15% strategy of calorie calculation (use some online calculators to estimate TDEE then reduce calories by 15%. It already takes exercise into account so don't eat back those calories)

ninerbuff

Muscle weighs more than fat

But that's not the reason. It's because of water/glycogen retention. Common issue when one starts lifting.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ninerbuff

How do you figure muscle weighs more than fat? Muscle is denser, and more compact, but a lb is a lb.

Please don't start this. Scientific measurements of density compare volume vs volume. If done this way, muscle weighs more than fat.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Lleldiranne

How do you figure muscle weighs more than fat? Muscle is denser, and more compact, but a lb is a lb.

Please don't start this. Scientific measurements of density compare volume vs volume. If done this way, muscle weighs more than fat.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Thank you. :flowerforyou:

glovepuppet

How do you figure muscle weighs more than fat? Muscle is denser, and more compact, but a lb is a lb.

''how do you figure lead weighs more than cheese? a pound is a pound!''

if a cubic inch of muscle weighs more than a cubic inch of fat then, duh, muscle is heavier than fat.

glovepuppet

How do you figure muscle weighs more than fat? Muscle is denser, and more compact, but a lb is a lb.

''how do you figure lead weighs more than cheese? a pound is a pound!''

if a cubic inch of muscle weighs more than a cubic inch of fat then, duh, muscle is heavier than fat.

unless we're going to use proper scientific terms. which, in this sort of conversation, nobody ever does.

RaggedyPond

Having a hard time sticking with 500 cal deficit since I started lifting heavier weights. I have to do more cardio just to make up for needing to eat more. At 28% BF so there is still plenty to go. Do I leave the deficit where it is or change it?