Weight Loss vs. Inches

onelove321

Which one truly matters?? In some cases, i've seen people lose like 5 inches but the scale doesn't budge. Why is this?

kae_blah

1 pound of fat takes up more room than 1 pound of muscle - or something like that.

needt0l0seweight

I think its because as you exercise the muscle built is heavier than fat so you could be burning fat without the number on the scale changing

Midnight1210

If you are doing weight/strength training along with cardio you're building muscle while burning fat. So, since muscle is heavier, the scale may not move even as you're blasting that fat away.

I judge my progress by my clothing now. The scale hasn't moved since November last year but I went down 2 sizes in jeans which is close to 3 inches off my waist.

What matters is how you feel in your own skin and clothing. If you're happy - that's progress. :bigsmile:

PikaKnight

Would you rather get to your goal # and still not fit clothes you were hoping to fit? or be heavier on the scale and fit smaller clothes? Really? There is no contest. I'd rather lose inches than scale #.

debraran1

I agree, weight can look better with muscle than fat...I always remember being fat at 140 or 150 and then running a marathon and being skinny at 138.
BUT and it's a big but, when you get over a certain weight, your doctor would probably like both. I'm losing inches, pants fit much better, some a size down,not tight, but doc will still say, "You have to lose weight". The numbers haven't gone down 10lbs yet and I have 30 to go.
I'll take the inches, but still need to drop the pounds.

astrampe

Obviously inches! I would much rather wear a size smaller jeans than have 5lbs less on the scale (which I see, but nobody else knows...) And everybody can see what I look like in jeans....
:drinker:
I weigh a solid 8lbs more than before I started lifting heavy - and wear a full size smaller......

ninerbuff

Which one truly matters?? In some cases, i've seen people lose like 5 inches but the scale doesn't budge. Why is this?

If you look the way you want, fit the clothes you want, and people give good comments on your physique, does weight really matter?

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

luckyshilling

Inches=Smaller Pants
And I will take smaller pants anyday:happy:

Lift_This_

I would take smaller clothes any day of the week...the scale is on a slow, slow, decline...but the inches are coming off faster than i thought...I like new clothes.