Losing weight but gaining fat %

Seiferzz
Seiferzz Posts: 11
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello guys,

Since more than 1 month I've been on a diet and I've been losing several weight. However, while my weight goes down, I've noticed that my fat % value is increasing week by week, going from 44 to 48 now.

I'm burning somewhere between 300-400 kcal daily for 4 days on the exercise bike or anyways doing no less than 24 km daily plus burning other 200-300 kcal daily by walking.

And yeah, I have 1 cheat day per week.

Any suggestion for me? :smile:

Cheers

Simone

Replies

  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    If that's true that would mean you're losing lean mass. Increase your protein and try lifting weights see how that treats you.

    Alternatively, whatever you use to calculate your bf% is inaccurate.
  • awesomejdad
    awesomejdad Posts: 493 Member
    Do almost no cardio and start lifting weights. Make your body believe it needs the muscle.

    And yes, stevencloser is correct. Body fat estimations tools are almost always inaccurate. They can be used, even if completely correctly, as only a rough guide to gauge your upward or downward trend.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I'm guessing you're using a scale, and those are completely inaccurate to calculate body fat (the only accurate way is an expensive test where you are immersed in water). So don't even worry about it.
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    If you are seeing visually that you are losing muscle mass, then ensure you are eating enough protein (0.8g/total lb is a good place to start, otherwise go with 1x your lean body mass) and strength train. And don't OVERtrain, which I did and wound up losing some muscle mass over, and had to lower my weight goal because of it. Cardio is not important for weight loss, some find it negatively affects their muscle gains/maintenance. I don't really do cardio just due to time constraints but I do walk on campus a lot... I am considering picking up leisure/light intensity walking on my rest days or some other light intensity cardio that I can study while doing, thoguh.
  • Seiferzz
    Seiferzz Posts: 11
    Thanks for your replies guys!

    I'm making sure I eat eggs for breakfast and chicken breasts over the week 2-3 times, at least 2 breasts steam cooked. So I should be fine on proteins.

    Yes, I do use a scale to measure the body fat % but I'm reassured by your feedback that scales are not really accurate.

    I'll start lifting weights as soon as I can and maybe switch to exercise bike twice a week instead of four times.

    Cheers
    Simone

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