measurement changes

gothchiq
gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Last time I checked my measurements was in December. My weight is the same as it was then, a variation of 120 to 123 lb. I have been working out hard and lifting as heavy as I can. Two of my measurements have changed. I have a half inch more around the hips, (from 36 to 36.5) and I can see that my butt looks rounder, which is great. I have also gained a half inch in the biceps, and all my arm muscles look much more defined than they used to. Bust, waist, neck, and thighs are exactly the same measurements as before, though the side lines of my abs are visible now and weren't before. I have only recently really started working on my legs with weights because I had to get my knees strengthened sufficiently and tackle my chondromalacia first (very arthritic, must go slow.)

They say that women usually get smaller and tighter by lifting. Now, I'm not at all *bothered* by these half inch gains. At the same time, I have not been eating a surplus, or doing anything bulking related. Is this a n00b thing, or maybe related to my Italian heritage.... has anyone had a similar experience? Should I just be happy and not question it lol?

Replies

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Hmm...How much of a deficit have you been on? I lift heavy on a deficit and I have only lost inches...
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    1200 cals (net) on non workout days, and 1400 cals (net) on workout days. My calorie burning level before exercise is calculated to be 1440.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    so therefore it is a small deficit
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I don't know, I'd be interested to hear what some of the seasoned people have to say. I've lifted on anywhere from 1400-1900 calories a day, and I've only ever lost inches. Are you sure you measured in the exact same place?
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    *nods* I'm sure. Let's see what others' experiences have been, too.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    No other comments so far, oh well. Pants are getting looser. Weight continues the same, arms and butt still measure at + .5 inch, legs have not changed. Maybe it means that the loose skin is finally starting to shrink up a bit in the lower body.
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    I could see if you were new to lifting maybe, but it appears you have been doing this for a while so I am stumped. I am interested to see what others say as well, so..... bump!
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,260 Member
    I gained a half inch on my hips when I started Strong Curves, even eating in a deficit. For me, I think it was a matter of having had super lazy glutes that, once they were being used, ended up with a lot of the muscle pump effect. Especially because I wasn't only activating/focusing on them during actual workouts.

    At the same time I went up in my hips, my waist and belly got smaller. Win win all around. (I'm kind of ruler-ish shape so those changes were all in the right direction for my liking.)
  • shinisize
    shinisize Posts: 105 Member
    My personal experience has been that as the fat layer starts to work off it spends a long time getting less dense (but not any smaller), and then begins to shrink in after having been in the less dense state for what feels like forever. When I start to shrink in I also tend to lose weight really quickly, so I've always assumed I was probably holding some water weight in the area until my body stopped holding out for potato chips and beer.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    Interesting. I'm dealing with some loose skin as well as whatever the fat layer is doing. Maybe that's the explanation. Perhaps 6 months from now it will become more obvious to see whatever is going to result, and less of a mystery. Right now I can see more arm definition. No more in the legs yet because I have only just gotten my knees to the point of being able to safely use machines with my legs (and not just do squats and cardio machines). Would be nice if I hadn't twisted my ankle last Friday. :/

    The staff were talking about making the apartment gym larger and updating the equipment, and getting heavier dumbbells as well. They mentioned adding a leg press. I thought that was pretty exciting. They were shopping around for the equipment, and had plans to knock out the back wall and expand the whole place. Well, if my rent goes up, at least I will know what it is going for... and make use of it lol!
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    And now my pants have felt looser for 2 weeks yet I have lost no weight and have the same measurements as before.... *eyes cross* I don't know, man. I would love to lose those last 3 lb but it may just not happen because there's only so much I can cut calories and still have enough energy to lift. meh. may not be all that important to lose 3 more lb.
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