Importance of measuring

Amandac6772
Amandac6772 Posts: 1,311 Member
edited September 22 in Success Stories
It's been almost 6 months since I started seriously working the MFP plan and trying to be a healthier me. I've lost 21 lbs and have been at a stand still for a month or more. I would say it's a plateau but it's not...it's a self-imposed stall because I'm not concentrating as much on the weekends. After weighing last week and seeing 129.6 and then again on my regular weigh day and seeing 130.8 (2/10th higher than my last "official" weight entry) I was a bit discouraged so I measured. Even though I've not lost any weight in over a month, I had lost 2" over from last month's measurements. Since I started measuring I've lost 14" all over.

If you are new, measure, measure, measure...I can't say it enough. The scale can be the devil. I'm 5 lbs from my last goal I set of December 1. I'm not going to make it but it's ok. As long as I see some progress on either the scale or the measuring tape I'll be happy.

Replies

  • JulesAlloggio
    JulesAlloggio Posts: 480 Member
    Funny because I was just talking to Janelle Summers last night about this. I had questioned her as to what I was doing wrong with Turbo Fire and she told me, "don't worry about the numbers on the scale, its all about the measurements" So I am going to hide my scale and start measuring. Its all about how you feel in those skinny jeans and not what some SCALE says.. Stay happy, live long..don't let numbers mess with your head =)
  • Sporty98
    Sporty98 Posts: 320 Member
    I totally agree!!! Measuring yourself is so valuable! It is a greater marker of success than the number on the scale.....I do notice that at times when my weight holds steady, my measurements may go down (or visa versa).
  • Amandac6772
    Amandac6772 Posts: 1,311 Member
    Funny because I was just talking to Janelle Summers last night about this. I had questioned her as to what I was doing wrong with Turbo Fire and she told me, "don't worry about the numbers on the scale, its all about the measurements" So I am going to hide my scale and start measuring. Its all about how you feel in those skinny jeans and not what some SCALE says.. Stay happy, live long..don't let numbers mess with your head =)

    Turbo Fire is part of what has helped me lose a lot of those inches. It's a different way of exercising for sure.
  • AmandaR910
    AmandaR910 Posts: 991
    Very true, I didn't lose for about 3.5 weeks, but I did lose 9 inches in 5 weeks!
  • AmandaR910
    AmandaR910 Posts: 991
    Very true, I didn't lose for about 3.5 weeks, but I did lose 9 inches in 5 weeks!
  • LotusF1ower
    LotusF1ower Posts: 1,259 Member
    It's been almost 6 months since I started seriously working the MFP plan and trying to be a healthier me. I've lost 21 lbs and have been at a stand still for a month or more. I would say it's a plateau but it's not...it's a self-imposed stall because I'm not concentrating as much on the weekends. After weighing last week and seeing 129.6 and then again on my regular weigh day and seeing 130.8 (2/10th higher than my last "official" weight entry) I was a bit discouraged so I measured. Even though I've not lost any weight in over a month, I had lost 2" over from last month's measurements. Since I started measuring I've lost 14" all over.

    If you are new, measure, measure, measure...I can't say it enough. The scale can be the devil. I'm 5 lbs from my last goal I set of December 1. I'm not going to make it but it's ok. As long as I see some progress on either the scale or the measuring tape I'll be happy.

    100% with this, absolutely.

    On these Forums, I have seen it time and time again, whereby some people are complaining that they have lost no weight on the scales and yet their measurements have reduced.

    The reduction in measurements is as good, in my opinion, if not better, than the scales. After all, isn't that what a lot of us that are, or have strived to achieve in weight-loss, to get into smaller clothes?

    Taking measurements can be a very uplifting feeling when after jumping on the scales there has been no loss in pounds but the tape-measure shows a different story!
  • apeman
    apeman Posts: 82
    Jumping on the bandwagon. I have not lost a pound for the last five weeks or so but I've lost an inch in the middle which is way more important to me. My advice on measuring...don't do it after a big day of cardio or weights. Wait until you've had a day off. My chest and back workouts usually interfere with my measurements.
  • lauramorris85
    lauramorris85 Posts: 87
    i measure once a week and last week, i didn't change at all except i GAINED an inch on my chest. i've been stuck bouncing between 140 and 142 for a week now and it's getting frustrating.
  • carl1738
    carl1738 Posts: 444 Member
    I cannot agree more. A lot of people don't seem to realize that they are actually trying to reshape their body, and instead focus on achieving some magical number on a scale. Because I do a lot of strength training, my actual weight loss has been slow, but I am steadily losing inches from my belly, but gaining inches on my arms, chest and legs. My arms have actually increased by two inches, while losing eight inches from my abdomen. If I was going by only the numbers on the scale, I might consider myself a failure, when I have actually been increasing my muscle mass while losing fat.
  • Chyrita
    Chyrita Posts: 30 Member
    Thank you so much for this comment, I really needed to hear this and going to take your advice. As soon as I get home I'm going to take measurements. PEACE!
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  • Amandac6772
    Amandac6772 Posts: 1,311 Member
    I cannot agree more. A lot of people don't seem to realize that they are actually trying to reshape their body, and instead focus on achieving some magical number on a scale. Because I do a lot of strength training, my actual weight loss has been slow, but I am steadily losing inches from my belly, but gaining inches on my arms, chest and legs. My arms have actually increased by two inches, while losing eight inches from my abdomen. If I was going by only the numbers on the scale, I might consider myself a failure, when I have actually been increasing my muscle mass while losing fat.

    I have a friend that powerlifts (strongest man kind of competitor) and if you go by the height/weight charts, he is obese...let me tell you...there is nothing obese about him.
  • LotusF1ower
    LotusF1ower Posts: 1,259 Member
    I cannot agree more. A lot of people don't seem to realize that they are actually trying to reshape their body, and instead focus on achieving some magical number on a scale. Because I do a lot of strength training, my actual weight loss has been slow, but I am steadily losing inches from my belly, but gaining inches on my arms, chest and legs. My arms have actually increased by two inches, while losing eight inches from my abdomen. If I was going by only the numbers on the scale, I might consider myself a failure, when I have actually been increasing my muscle mass while losing fat.

    I have a friend that powerlifts (strongest man kind of competitor) and if you go by the height/weight charts, he is obese...let me tell you...there is nothing obese about him.

    Amanda yes I agree, not because I know the same man you are talking about, but because I have known people to go for medicals etc and when told their BMI, or as you state, go by the height/weight charts, they have been informed they are in the obese range, irritatingly stupid, because some of those people are very sporty and extremely fit.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    So true! Even though I haven't lost much the last couple weeks, I can tell my jeans are fitting looser and my belly is looking flatter, I see definition in my abs again... don't rely on JUST the scale, peoples!
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