dumb measurement question

kar328
kar328 Posts: 4,159 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm trying to do monthly measurements so I'm not obsessed with the scale and I'm curious ...

I'm losing weight, about 6 lbs/month and doing strength training with a trainer and on my own, nothing too heavy yet, but I do see a difference - I can actually feel biceps. My question - should the inches on my arms be going up or down since I'm losing fat and getting some muscle (however small)? I'm getting different measurements each time (I don't mean right vs left, just the same on the same side), a lot I assume, is operator error. I'm trying to be consistent in placement. I'm also having the same issue with other measurements.

Thanks

Replies

  • grantdumas7
    grantdumas7 Posts: 802 Member
    They should get smaller as fat lose is faster than muscle gain.
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    They should get smaller as fat lose is faster than muscle gain.


    Yup. You will lose fat A LOT faster than gaining muscle.
  • ken_hogan
    ken_hogan Posts: 854 Member
    Forgot to add....no such thing as a 'dumb' question!! :happy:
  • kar328
    kar328 Posts: 4,159 Member
    Thank you, gentlemen.
  • Lauramh31
    Lauramh31 Posts: 95 Member
    A tip that works for me - I find a well placed freckle on my arms/legs to make sure I measure the same spot each week - over top of that freckle :) You could use a mole, a birthmark, scar, etc.
  • Reinventing_Me
    Reinventing_Me Posts: 1,053 Member
    You could pick a spot to measure, then measure that length from your shoulder or elbow and write down that number so you'll know exactly what spot you measured. Use that as your guide each time. The only problem is, you'll have to measure twice each time (once to find the spot, once to measure progress). For the sake of consistency, that's not a bad thing. That's what I do.


    :flowerforyou:
  • KAYRRIE
    KAYRRIE Posts: 201 Member
    A tip that works for me - I find a well placed freckle on my arms/legs to make sure I measure the same spot each week - over top of that freckle :) You could use a mole, a birthmark, scar, etc.

    That is a great idea! Will use that too.
  • kar328
    kar328 Posts: 4,159 Member
    A tip that works for me - I find a well placed freckle on my arms/legs to make sure I measure the same spot each week - over top of that freckle :) You could use a mole, a birthmark, scar, etc.

    Great idea! I have enough assorted markings.

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