body fat going down, weight and inches the same

3bambi3
3bambi3 Posts: 1,650 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all,

I've been doing stronglifts for about 5 weeks now and just started incorporating a bit more cardio. I eat around 1800 calories a day which, according to my fitbit is my TDEE on rest days. My TDEE for active days is around 2100 calories. Since starting the program, I've been measuring my body fat with calipers and, since I started, I've lost around 2% body fat per the Jackson/Polluck 4 caliper method.

My question is: If this is true, how is it I haven't lost any inches and my weight has stayed the same? I'm thrilled about the fat loss, but not sure why it's not showing.

5'4" | 143lbs | 30yo

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Calipers are highly subject to user error
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Oh, oh, let me be the first to throw out that muscle weighs more than fat! LOL
  • 3bambi3
    3bambi3 Posts: 1,650 Member
    Oh, oh, let me be the first to throw out that muscle weighs more than fat! LOL

    Please, don't.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Calipers are highly subject to user error

    This.
  • 3bambi3
    3bambi3 Posts: 1,650 Member
    Calipers are highly subject to user error

    This.

    I can accept that. But how else does one measure body fat?

    Also, that means that I have been eating at a deficit and doing a bunch of work for no results, which is frustrating to say the least.
  • pgp90xer
    pgp90xer Posts: 219 Member
    Take your b/f measurements a few times and take the average. Also take it first thing in the morning.
  • wmagoo27
    wmagoo27 Posts: 201 Member
    Calipers are highly subject to user error

    This.

    I can accept that. But how else does one measure body fat?

    Also, that means that I have been eating at a deficit and doing a bunch of work for no results, which is frustrating to say the least.

    Just like a scale, you should take a BF measurement at about the same time of day and week and under similar circumstances each time. It may not read exact, but you can take some of the fluctuation out of it and use it as a tool to track fat loss. As for not losing weight, if you are new to lifting and eating close to maintenance, you are probably experiencing some body recomposition. You are gaining muscle and burning fat at a similar rate. Eventually, you will outgrow this and start to lose weight again because it won't be so easy to build muscle anymore.

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