Help please! Losing inches but not weight :(

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Replies

  • da_bears10089
    da_bears10089 Posts: 1,791 Member
    i can't stress this enough. you are the only one that knows the number on the scale, so what's the big deal about it? People see the inches you are losing, not how much your body weighs.
  • ctpeace
    ctpeace Posts: 327 Member
    You are probly gaining some muscle, and remember, muscle weighs more!!! Scales don't tell the whole story

    Sorry I just have a pet peeve about post like this...if you have 1 pound of muscle and 1 pound of fat would they not weigh the same? So the correct response is muscle takes up less space than fat. So if you are burning fat and replacing it with muscle then that takes up less space so you have lost size but not matter. Keep up the good work.

    Yes, as does a pound of lead and a pound of feathers! But if you take the same volume of fat and muscle, the muscle weighs more (thus losing inches but not pounds). So saying it weighs more is in fact correct.
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    You may want to start wearing a HRM and adjusting your TDEE
  • ZETAZEN
    ZETAZEN Posts: 46 Member
    Inches = fat loss
    Scale weight = weight loss [includes water, fat, muscle...Etc.]

    Two different measurements of success.

    Reality = Inches are better [determines percentage of body fat and lean body mass]

    Your Perception = Scale weight is optimal [But not really]
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    You're doing great!!! Why are you so worried?! You're seeing results (and good ones)! Just keep going. You have to be patient. How long did it take you to put all that weight on? A long time. It will take you a while to get it off too. Also, it's not a bad thing for the inches to change and the scale NOT. It means you're changing your body composition. Losing the fat, gaining muscle, and getting fit!! Be happy with your success!!

    This! This! This! No one sees the scale, or knows that number but you. What everyone else knows is how you look. When you lose inches, you get smaller. That's what people see. Embrace it and learn that the scale won't always reflect how we feel or look! Great job on your accomplishments thus far, those are some good numbers!

    ETA: On a calorie deficit you probably aren't gaining much muscle, if any, there will be some initial muscle gain but it tapers off pretty quickly. It is fat loss though and maintaining the muscle you have, still great things!
  • ladyjh578
    ladyjh578 Posts: 207
    WHY is that a bad thing? I would be thrilled. Its all how you look and feel that matters...not a stupid number on a stupid scale :-)
    EMBRACE these changes!!! You are doing something right sister!! Keep it up!!!
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    It's not muscle on a 1200-1400 calorie diet, especially if exercise cals are not consumed.

    Losing inches trumps losing pounds in my book. Who cares what the scale says - no one sees that number but me, but when I drop a whole pants size because of the fat and inches I've lost, people notice! I went six months without losing a pound, but did lose that pant size during that time due to all the inches that were quietly melting off.

    Ignore the scale, embrace the tape measure, and if you're netting below 1200 calories, please eat more! Food is fuel!

    This. I've lost 21 inches and 7-10lb (scale bounces naturally). Why people are so bothered by the scale I really don't know. I could quite happily gain weight and continue to lose fat and inches and I wouldn't care.
  • pollyineedtobeskinny
    pollyineedtobeskinny Posts: 362
    I would be absolutely made up if I was losing inches. Honestly do not go by what the scales say, scales = THROW OUT! They really don't matter, stop weighing yourself.

    Losing inches is the most important thing!! Your doing amazing clearly.
  • mmuzzatti
    mmuzzatti Posts: 704 Member
    You are probly gaining some muscle, and remember, muscle weighs more!!! Scales don't tell the whole story

    Sorry I just have a pet peeve about post like this...if you have 1 pound of muscle and 1 pound of fat would they not weigh the same? So the correct response is muscle takes up less space than fat. So if you are burning fat and replacing it with muscle then that takes up less space so you have lost size but not matter. Keep up the good work.

    Yes, as does a pound of lead and a pound of feathers! But if you take the same volume of fat and muscle, the muscle weighs more (thus losing inches but not pounds). So saying it weighs more is in fact correct.

    You earth women......( Watch this...I'm going to start a topic of this and watch it go to over 20 pages of comments, all in fun of course!)
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    I have been circuit training for 3 months and had my measurements done this week. I only lost 10 inches overall and lost 6 pounds overall. Is this normal? I am overweight so I expected much more to come off in the beginning. I have been meticulous with counting calories 1200-1400 (not making up net calories) and working out with a personal trainer 3xs a week and doing cardio on my own for 20-40 minutes per day when I'm not training. I don't plan on giving up anytime soon but should I make changes or is this good progress?? My trainer says I should expect even better results at my next weigh in at 6 months and said I did great the first 3 with my loss so why is the scale bothering me so much?!

    I guess I"m a bit confused. If you are losing inches but not weight, what is the problem? That means you are turning fat into muscle which is always a good thing.

    Next time you see your trainer, tell them about your calorie intake. I would guess that you aren't eating enough food and this is slowing down your metabolism a bit.

    It doesn't happen overnight. You are doing all the right things. Focus on that and not on some number on a scale that means nothing.
  • debln
    debln Posts: 3
    As others have said... you're doing great... reconfiguring your body, your metabolism and your health. Your trainer is right, your next measurement/weigh in will be a different (very positive) story. Keep up the great work. Don't eat less than you're supposed to, your body needs the fuel and will protect itself if not fed enough. Be sure to balance your foods, including fiber and water. Go over your food diaries with your trainer; if she is certified, professional, or has a formal educational background in fitness she should be able to help you identify the weaknesses AND strengths of what you've been doing. Not sure how much you need to lose, but it is a lifestyle adjustment, not a quick fix. Changes come at different paces for all of us. Don't give up. Congrats on your SUCCESS!!! You're a lot better today than you were when you started. Soon you will have to replace your wardrobe.
  • cosnet
    cosnet Posts: 10 Member
    10 inches in 3 months!!!! Congrats - that is fabulous. :-)

    You may not have lost the pounds but your body is changing. Something you should be proud of. Keep up the good work.

    As for the scale re-examine what you are eating to see if a change is in order - with circuit training it is important to keep up your proteins so you are actually burning fat. Try adding a protein shake before you eat breakfast and before dinner. I use one of the protein powders and add one scoop to 8 ozs of water (actually I found I like mine a little thinner so I use a bit more water). Another way to ensure more fat burn is to try and work out first thing in the morning (before breakfast) or about three hours after you have last eaten - otherwise you may be working out to just burn the calories you just ate.

    But whatever you don't get discouraged you are doing a great job :-)

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