Anyone losing inches but not weight?

ToniZ60
ToniZ60 Posts: 23 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been back on MFP for several weeks and my clothes feel loser but not losing any weight. I have increased my workout routines and really feel like I am firming up but its discouraging not seeing it on scale Ugh!

Replies

  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    Other than you no one knows what the scale says. If your measurements are going down, you are losing fat and likely keeping a good amount of your muscle. That is what you want, even if the scale does not move, because that is what people see. They don't see the scale. Also realize that if your measurements are going down, the scale will eventually follow. You can't keep losing fat and not see the scale change eventually. Frankly I would rather lose inches and have my weigh stay the same than lose weight and have my measurements not change that much. In short, stop focusing on the scale.
  • dlegros
    dlegros Posts: 162 Member
    Other than you no one knows what the scale says. If your measurements are going down, you are losing fat and likely keeping a good amount of your muscle. That is what you want, even if the scale does not move, because that is what people see. They don't see the scale. Also realize that if your measurements are going down, the scale will eventually follow. You can't keep losing fat and not see the scale change eventually. Frankly I would rather lose inches and have my weigh stay the same than lose weight and have my measurements not change that much. In short, stop focusing on the scale.

    ^ ^ ^

    What he said, losing inches is great!
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I have been back on MFP for several weeks and my clothes feel loser but not losing any weight. I have increased my workout routines and really feel like I am firming up but its discouraging not seeing it on scale Ugh!

    Who cares what the scale says? No one can see that.

    I've lost 1.5lbs since June - and I just lost it over the weekend. And yet, I'm a pant size smaller. In the past 3 weeks, I've had 5-7 coworkers ask me how much more I've lost recently, because they think it looks like I've dropped a pretty sizeable amount of pounds.

    People can only see what your body looks like. I'd rather be 188lbs and look about 20lbs smaller, than be 168lbs and look 20lbs heavier. That's the benefit of exercise!

    Also, if you are really worried about the number on the scale, take 2-3 days off from exercise and weigh yourself again. Once the fluid in your muscles disappears, the number should go down (your muscles are retaining fluid to help repair themselves).
  • jgm379
    jgm379 Posts: 97 Member
    I just went 4 weeks with doing 50 to 90 min. of cardio and/or strength training 6 days a week. I gained 6 pounds and was very discouraged. I did some research and realized that even though I dropped my calorie intake to 1200 a day, I still had too much fat and sugar in my diet. Last week I changed it up some more and now this week I lost 7 lbs. I am only a pound less than my starting weight, but at least I'm losing now. I hope this helps.
  • ToniZ60
    ToniZ60 Posts: 23 Member
    Thanks it does help but I have always been one of those people's that is hung up on the scale. I do think you are right about fluid retention I am a very bad water drinker. I usually have between 1200 and 1400 calories a day. I guess I will wait and see what happens :)
  • cuckoo2012
    cuckoo2012 Posts: 27 Member
    hi..i am on same boat i am only losing inches not any weight ..i am doing 45 mins of aerobics and having 1200 calories
  • foreverjade
    foreverjade Posts: 213 Member
    Pretty much always. I rarely weigh myself. My most recent weigh in was the first time in 9 months. If my jeans fit me, it's a good day. If my jeans are falling off of me, I'm for sure doing something right!
  • mumx5
    mumx5 Posts: 325 Member
    I have been back on MFP for several weeks and my clothes feel loser but not losing any weight. I have increased my workout routines and really feel like I am firming up but its discouraging not seeing it on scale Ugh!

    I am exactly the same! My starting weight was 150lbs and I lost 11lbs of that pretty quickly - in a matter of weeks in fact. However, Since July my weight has been fluctauting between 136 and 137lb. Very frustrating! Feeling a little discouraged by not seeing the scale move much, but clothing feeling a little looser mind you, I decided to take some measurements a month back. I was pleasantly surprised to see that 3 weeks later I had lost 3 inches from my stomach, amongst other losses too :)

    Don'y rely on the scales too much. Take some measurements too which I am am sure definately show your progress to date. Keep up the good work :)
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Other than you no one knows what the scale says. If your measurements are going down, you are losing fat and likely keeping a good amount of your muscle. That is what you want, even if the scale does not move, because that is what people see. They don't see the scale. Also realize that if your measurements are going down, the scale will eventually follow. You can't keep losing fat and not see the scale change eventually. Frankly I would rather lose inches and have my weigh stay the same than lose weight and have my measurements not change that much. In short, stop focusing on the scale.

    ^^^^^Absolutely what this guy says! At 140 lbs you are in a healthy weight range. Losing inches means your losing fat and not precious lean muscle mass. I would rather lose inches and weight!!!! Ignore the scale!
  • weighlossforbaby
    weighlossforbaby Posts: 847 Member
    I have noticed my stomach is going down quite a bit but the scale says differently. My sister even noticed it looks like I have shrunk a little. We have agreed that I am losing inches.
  • DaughterOfTheMostHighKing
    DaughterOfTheMostHighKing Posts: 1,436 Member
    usually the case... I've lost 15 pounds... but only in the beginning... haven't lost any since May...
  • ukulele2010
    ukulele2010 Posts: 126 Member
    I'd say congratulations - the inches are probably the important part (well, assuming you are looking to be more svelte...).
  • Banker2Bikini
    Banker2Bikini Posts: 83 Member
    ME!!!! I have only lost about 6 pounds however I have gone from a size 12 to a size 6. I should not complain however I still think it is frustrating not seeing the numbers go down.

    Don't give up and keep pressing hard cause there are a lot of people right there with ya!
  • brittaney10811
    brittaney10811 Posts: 588 Member
    i have been doing CF for 4 months now, have lost a lot of inches, but hardly any weight at all! my body fat % is going down though, so i know my weight being the same is because of muscle growth. my clothes are fitting better and as far as i care.... if i fit into a size 6 but the scale tells me i'm 500lbs, i don't care. the scale is a dirty rotten *kitten* sometimes. don't take it too seriously!
  • SheilaN1976
    SheilaN1976 Posts: 266 Member
    Other than you no one knows what the scale says. If your measurements are going down, you are losing fat and likely keeping a good amount of your muscle. That is what you want, even if the scale does not move, because that is what people see. They don't see the scale. Also realize that if your measurements are going down, the scale will eventually follow. You can't keep losing fat and not see the scale change eventually. Frankly I would rather lose inches and have my weigh stay the same than lose weight and have my measurements not change that much. In short, stop focusing on the scale.

    agree 100% !!!
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    ME!!!! I have only lost about 6 pounds however I have gone from a size 12 to a size 6. I should not complain however I still think it is frustrating not seeing the numbers go down.

    Don't give up and keep pressing hard cause there are a lot of people right there with ya!

    A size 12 to a 6 is amazing. It's very sad that women are so programmed to feel frustrated by not seeing the numbers on the scale go down. Dropping 3 or 4 sizes is a success. And a size 6 is small. Embrace your success and don't worry about the scale.
  • Breyna_10
    Breyna_10 Posts: 22
    Omg......same problem i started 3 weeks ago...I walking in the mornings for 30 min and afternoons for one hour keep track of my calories and the scale has just drop like 4 to five pounds but what keeps me going is that i have lost 2 inches from my waist,back and
  • professorRAT
    professorRAT Posts: 690 Member
    Use the scale as a guide, but don't use it as your ONLY guide! I was only a few pounds heavier in college and wore an 8-10 pant, now I wear a 4-6! I love me some muscle!
  • kareinlib
    kareinlib Posts: 98
    A lot of people lose inches instead of weight - that's why it's a measurement option on MFP. I honestly wish I was losing inches - it's far more noticeable to lose inches than 5 or 10 pounds on the scale. Inches is what other people see in the end.
  • Zyphun
    Zyphun Posts: 102 Member
    I am the opposite. Well kinda. I am losing weight and I am thinning, just not in the places I want to be thinning. :) I just added strength training to help target those areas. I know stomach fat is one of the last to go, but it can't go soon enough!
  • ceajules
    ceajules Posts: 123
    That would be me and I love the way I look :) so I am sticking to what i am doing :)
  • preaser
    preaser Posts: 85 Member
    Same here, I've only lost 6 pounds since June, but have lost quite a few inches! That keeps me going! And I'm not starving myself, just learning to eat more protein and portion control.
  • alvalaurie
    alvalaurie Posts: 369 Member
    Yup! I started my fitness journey almost 2 yrs ago & it took 5 months before the scale moved (I finally dropped 25 lbs), but I started dropping inches right away (ended up losing total of 5 inches). I fell off the wagon over Christmas & gained back 15 lbs & 3 inches so I'm back at it again. Been here several weeks now and only lost 3 lbs, but the inches are again falling off. I figure if I can fit in the clothes that I want to wear & I look and feel good, then my mission is accomplished! Regardless what the scale says!
  • Emaginesc
    Emaginesc Posts: 49 Member
    I found this thread on a search and wanted to bring it back to life. I am struggling with this. I am seeing the inches fall, which is exactly what I want. The scale, up, down, repeat. I know it will. I also hope soon it balances. I go back to the Dr in March and last time I was told I needed to aim for a 140 for my weight. I am barely losing weight and working my butt off. It shows everywhere except the scale. I know I will never reach 140 by March nor do I think the Dr thinks I will. I have a good 35 or so pounds to go.

    How does it all play in when in the medical field it is XYZ but I also feel what I am doing is good so far and happy. I admit I hate the scale, but can notice a change which keeps me motivated now that I have created a good healthy habit for me.
  • Elaine839
    Elaine839 Posts: 1 Member
    Hello! I have been on Fitness pal about 2 week’s great app by the way, but I have been on weightwatchers for almost 2 months. In June I had a biometric screening and 2 doctor’s appointments. All 3 said my weight was the same so I went with that I knew I need to lose weight bad so I started WW right after those appointments. My five day exercise process consists of walking on all 3 of my breaks at work and I bought a used exercise bike, ever since then I can see the changes in my body and how I feel. This is the 1st time I have actually stuck with it this long, I needed to see what the result would be if I stayed with it. So far since June I have lost 21 pounds and feel much better. I still have a long ways to go but that is a start. All this being said don't get discourage about that confused scale instead try on a pair jeans you couldn't fit before or buy a pair that are to small and let that be your goal to get into them. We have to remember we did not put this weight on overnight and it will not come off over night. Stay positive, stay focused and don't weigh yourself every day.

    Elaine839

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