When do the inches start?

Fiesty1006

I just started my fourth week last night.... Since starting, I've only lost about 2lbs and no inches. I don't have an issue with the scale not moving... as long as the tape measure does.

Squat: 80lbs
Bench Press: 65lbs
Barbell Row: 80lbs
Overhead Press: 55lbs
Deadlift: 90lbs

On the Squats, after the initial session, I didn't increase the following two sessions because I had serious DOMS and was a little scared...lol. Everything else, I either increased after the second session - or at the second session... and have been steadily increasing by 5lbs every session since. The OHP stopped me in my tracks last session - and I had to repeat last night... but should be increasing again next session.

Anyway.... How soon did you start seeing inches drop? Does that come later with higher weights??

ahviendha

Well I don't measure super regularly, but around 2 months I began to notice my fat was redistributing, making me look super hot. :glasses:

For me, I had the typical lady bump in front of my abs (some bs about protecting babies when you get pregnant) which began to smooth out, my abs looked longer and more defined. My arms look badass, but I'm pretty sure my thighs have become slightly bigger. I don't care, because I look awesome, but I do notice a bit more lower thigh tightness in my jeans fresh out of the wash. I also can see the muscle there when I flex.

I haven't budged in terms of the scale. I was 155 when I began lifting, got up to 162~, then after eating clean for a few months I've stabilized at about 157/158. Which is newbie gains, from what I've read.

I really had to let go of the scale. It was hard for me. But I love how little I care about my weight now!!

Edit : Sorry to be absolutely not helpful with your question on inches! :laugh:

jlapey

I know how you feel. I was doing NROLFW , improperly due to smith machines (Stupid Planet Fitness), for about 2 months. I saw only subtle changes (better than nothing). Yesterday I started with Strong Lifts 5X5 at a new gym with proper barbells and squat rack. Though I know everyone is different, it would be nice to know what the average time is to see results. I'm so afraid that my expectations are too high and that two months into this program, I'm going to be disappointed. I'm 5'0" and 151 pounds. Online calculators put me at about 39% body fat. This is not pretty. I'm very anxious to see some changes.

auddii

I suggest taking progress pictures in addition to measuring. I suck at measuring. My legs have changed a *lot* since starting lifting, and I can now curtsy in my pants (well the ones that I haven't had to retire). But, my thighs at their largest point measure 28in, the exact same as they did in January when I started. Complete measurement fail. Pictures help me see the differences. And even when I can't see the differences, I can post them here, and other people (who aren't as critical as I am) can point the differences out to me.

kirabob

I'm on workout 8 (so, three or so weeks in?). I have lost a lot of inches - in places I never, ever measure. Like my shoulders. My upper arm just above my elbow. Seriously. All of a sudden I have these amazing shoulders and collarbones - they are gorgeous and I love them. And when I bend my elbows I see a strong, defined upper arm. But my waist? I've lost a whopping .25 inches. But I KNOW that something is happening, because my back feels much different - firm, not squishy. So I can only assume that things are moving around and will start to shrink more noticeably soon. My thigh measurement has stayed the same too, but they are rocking in a way they never did before. . .All of which is to say, I don't know when the inches will come off, but hopefully the other body composition changes will keep you going until then!

DaniH826

Yea there's a difference between an inch of thigh flab and an inch of thigh muscle, but the measurement will still be the same of course.

I keep a loose track of weight, measurement, BF and such but I take a good look in the mirror from time to time and check how my clothes feel and how well I generally feel overall (getting stronger, less winded, etc).

It depends on where you measure too. Often the abs and hips are the last thing to budge (but of course! :grumble:)

auddii

Oh, and my fat hump! I had a whole hunchback thing going on, and it's gotten a lot smaller. How the hell do you measure that?!

kirabob

Oh, and my fat hump! I had a whole hunchback thing going on, and it's gotten a lot smaller. How the hell do you measure that?!

Exactly! Mine is gone, which is awesome - but there is no category for that kind of measurement!

chunkmunk

I second the recommendation to take photos. I wish I had. I have not seen much of a change in measurements AT ALL-- only an inch off my waist and an inch off my hips, in the LAST YEAR, which inclued NROLFW and then 12 weeks of stronglifts. And when I look in the mirror, I still see pretty much the same thing. AND the damn scale has only moved 5 pounds. All of this is incredibly frustrating.

BUT: my clothes fit differently, and I am dropping sizes. When I starteded, I was comfortable in a size 10, sometimes a 12. Now I am comfortable in an 8, and beginning to move to a 6. And my husband has made several comments about the changes in my body that he can visually see.

So it works. But sometimes slowly and subtly. Photos will be your best evidence.

HIITMe

There is ALWAYS a difference for me...each month, it just changes on where....March was in pounds, February was inches.... January was Shape... I think I saw the biggest difference in inches about 7-8 weeks after beginning SLs

zumbajheri

Anyone willing to share progress pics??:happy: I wanna seeee! :flowerforyou:

fishlover888

Anyone willing to share progress pics??:happy: I wanna seeee! :flowerforyou:

Mine are only from 1 month so they aren't super impressive... The only change I really notice is a decrease in armpit fat here haha, which could come in hand if I ever want to wear something strapless?



Though this is exciting to me!


Lost .5 waist, 2 abdomen/belly button, .5 muffin top. I'm not sure it shows but I'm excited to see what happens in the next few months. I think I should start measuring my biceps because I'm so proud of them.

I've heard people say you don't see big changes in your body composition until you get to the point where you are lifting really heavy. I'm assuming that is slightly different for everyone but I'm definitely looking forward to it

Fittreelol

Fish your abs seem to be getting more defined too. OR maybe the other lighting just washed them out? J/k Looking good!

jayliospecky

Honestly...it. depends.

Sorry, but it really does! It will depend on what kind of deficit you're eating at, how your body responds, what other activity you're doing, and on and on and on. Truly, everybody is different.

If you're eating at a pretty small deficit, then I think most people would see pretty slow changes. I don't know if 4 weeks would be enough to necessarily see changes in measurements. But then again, it might in some cases, for some people.

I agree with the suggestion to take pics. It's a really good way to compare. My changes have felt like they take FOREVER but if I show anyone my pics, they all tell me they see a difference. But we're talking several MONTHS in between pics, for me.

Personally, that's also why I like measuring progress in terms of the numbers I'm lifting. It's a way to tell I'm doing something right if I'm not seeing immediate changes in my body.

Fiesty1006

I thought that I felt different.... which is why it was so disappointing when I measured and weighed and saw no difference. It felt like my pants were more loose than normal... and like my fat was more... squishy.. than normal.

I'm eating at a 20 - 26% deficit based on BMF calories burned. I lost 1.4lbs this week. I was just hoping for inches last week. But, I'll keep at it... :-)

Maybe increasing cardio will help.... But I don't want to get to something that is not sustainable for me wrt the amount of exercise.

I'll take photos tonight... and compare those in the future. :-)

jayliospecky

I thought that I felt different.... which is why it was so disappointing when I measured and weighed and saw no difference. It felt like my pants were more loose than normal... and like my fat was more... squishy.. than normal.

I'm eating at a 20 - 26% deficit based on BMF calories burned. I lost 1.4lbs this week. I was just hoping for inches last week. But, I'll keep at it... :-)

Maybe increasing cardio will help.... But I don't want to get to something that is not sustainable for me wrt the amount of exercise.

I'll take photos tonight... and compare those in the future. :-)

Measurements are tricky. It's so hard to get an exact one, and it varies with how much you are tightening the tape, plus the exact place you are measuring. If it helps, I've gone from a size 10 to a size 8, without really seeing a change on the scale or in the measurements I take. If your pants seem looser, they probably are. :happy:

sheleen302

I know how you feel. I was doing NROLFW , improperly due to smith machines (Stupid Planet Fitness), for about 2 months. I saw only subtle changes (better than nothing). Yesterday I started with Strong Lifts 5X5 at a new gym with proper barbells and squat rack. Though I know everyone is different, it would be nice to know what the average time is to see results. I'm so afraid that my expectations are too high and that two months into this program, I'm going to be disappointed. I'm 5'0" and 151 pounds. Online calculators put me at about 39% body fat. This is not pretty. I'm very anxious to see some changes.

I'm 5' tall and started at 160. When I was 2 months into Stronglifts I had noticeable fat loss, clothing size reduction. I think you should see good results from Strong lifts, assuming you eat at a caloric deficit.

zorreena

I've lost 4 inches from my hips and only .5 inches from my waist. . .I'm doing progress pictures at the end of this month. I will have completed 12 weeks. I strongly suggest reading this http://www.girlsgonestrong.com/dont-be-a-sucker-5-ways-to-measure-progress-without-the-scale/

I made a lot of mistakes with my first set of progress pictures so heed the advice from the article above . . . I only took a front profile not my rear profile. . .I've had some nice changes in the behind that people have noticed but I don't have a picture of what I started out with because I didn't know.

Guaranteed that you may not lose the inches where you are measuring but you will start to notice the change in how your clothing fits after 4-6 weeks if you are eating at a bit of a deficit too.

jlapey

I know how you feel. I was doing NROLFW , improperly due to smith machines (Stupid Planet Fitness), for about 2 months. I saw only subtle changes (better than nothing). Yesterday I started with Strong Lifts 5X5 at a new gym with proper barbells and squat rack. Though I know everyone is different, it would be nice to know what the average time is to see results. I'm so afraid that my expectations are too high and that two months into this program, I'm going to be disappointed. I'm 5'0" and 151 pounds. Online calculators put me at about 39% body fat. This is not pretty. I'm very anxious to see some changes.

I'm 5' tall and started at 160. When I was 2 months into Stronglifts I had noticeable fat loss, clothing size reduction. I think you should see good results from Strong lifts, assuming you eat at a caloric deficit.

Thank you, and yes, I am eating at a deficit. A small one, but...