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Losing inches vs losing weight
Truvanessa
Posts: 327 Member
I was wondering if losing inches is just as good as losing weight? I have been making progress by losing inches, but my scale does not show any changes.
15
Replies
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Unless you are doing a recomp, you will lose weight if you are losing inches. Maybe you are just having some water retention ATM? How long has your weight plateaued?5
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It depends. If you have some weight to lose and are doing some strength training, you could be gaining muscle, which weighs more than fat. That can help you lose inches. I wouldn't worry too much about the weight part if you are losing the inches.11
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Really and truly, it is the inches that count. Weight is ultimately just a number.26
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Thanks for the replies. I do seem to be getting more toned. I did hear that gaining muscle can slow down weight loss. Hopefully I am on the right track.4
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I logged and worked out for 3 months. Didn't lose any pounds- but lost inches all over. I was gaining lots of muscle.16
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You may be holding onto water. Try drinking lots of water and drinking dandelion root tea. Parsley tablets this helped my scale start moving again
and drinking at least 3 litres of water per day 6 -
Losing inches always is better. Weight fluctuates so much.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Inches matter more. My weight changes by a few lb every day but I use inches to track real progress.8
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Truvanessa wrote: »I was wondering if losing inches is just as good as losing weight? I have been making progress by losing inches, but my scale does not show any changes.
I had a two week stretch where the scale said i was up five pounds. In the same time frame i dropped 1.5" around my waist!13 -
I am just starting back again and losing inches and weight comes off same time or a little after
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Congrats losing inches is ultimately the goal. Weight is a number.
Having said that I don't think you would have gained enough muscle to offset weight loss. Gaining muscle weight doesn't happen overnight, it takes months, and is even more difficult with a calorie deficit. Probably retaining water, which is common with exercise. My bet is that if you are losing inches, you will experience a 'whoosh'
How long has the weight stalled?10 -
I am starting to think that I am retaining water. Not sure why or how to retain less. My weight has stalled for a month now. I am not complaining about losing inches. I am happy to see the changes in my lower half, which is my problem area. I just want to lose the pounds.1
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Truvanessa wrote: »I was wondering if losing inches is just as good as losing weight? I have been making progress by losing inches, but my scale does not show any changes.
Your lips are breaking my heart! Life... just isn't fair. Truly lovely lips.
This is so far off topic. I apologize to everyone.
Hope it's muscles and not water. 5 -
SierraFatToSkinny wrote: »
Your lips are breaking my heart! Life... just isn't fair. Truly lovely lips.
This is so far off topic. I apologize to everyone.
Hope it's muscles and not water.
Thanks! You made my morning lol! ☺️. It better be muscles.0 -
The ultimate guide is the mirror unless you have a weight limit for something specific. Scale weight fluctuates, tape measurements can vary depending on positioning and how tight you pull the tape but pictures/mirror don't lie.7
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My take is inches it what everyone else sees, weight is just what you see. Its a useful personal measure but because it doesnt take into consideration fat loss vs water/muscle gain when you change up your exercise routine so it can be skewed. I'd rather lose inches on my wobbly bits over pounds on the scale any day of the week 5
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Also when people say water retention in regards to increased exercise, it's your muscles retaining water for repair, not unhealthy water retention linked to high salt intake for example. Its not something you need to avoid or reverse but it will settle.8
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Thanks so much to both of you for the advice and useful information. I appreciate your input. As long as I am improving on the way I look then I am happy.4
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Great work!!! You should be very proud, 100% concur that losing inches is not only as good as weight loss but better.
Body Fat % is a much better gauge of overall health and progress than the scale alone so if you are losing inches but not weight I would wager you have simply shifted that Body Fat % in the right direction. The scale can really be overrated, the way your clothes fit is often even a better gauge than the scale alone.
Either way what you are doing is fantastic keep it up!5 -
If you are within a healthy range, inches are a much more important measure to me.
I personally consider a smaller waist measurement and higher weight to be my holy grail body change. For my body type this is a certain indicator of muscle growth.3 -
Great work!!! You should be very proud, 100% concur that losing inches is not only as good as weight loss but better.
Body Fat % is a much better gauge of overall health and progress than the scale alone so if you are losing inches but not weight I would wager you have simply shifted that Body Fat % in the right direction. The scale can really be overrated, the way your clothes fit is often even a better gauge than the scale alone.
Either way what you are doing is fantastic keep it up!
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words. You made my day and I am smiling from ear to ear. It is so awesome to meet supportive people like you. Hope I can return the favor.5 -
If you are within a healthy range, inches are a much more important measure to me.
I personally consider a smaller waist measurement and higher weight to be my holy grail body change. For my body type this is a certain indicator of muscle growth.
Hi there,
I totally agree with you. I am loving my curves and the way my legs and butt look and feel. I still have a ways to go, but I am committed to get healthy and strong.
Thanks for your input.0 -
No one can see the number on the scale; everyone can see how you look. Don't fret about the scale.7
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Hi everyone! Today has been a productive day. I really pushed myself hard and now I discovered my love of rowing. It's addictive! Hope everyone had a good day.3
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I am starting to notice a change in how I look and it's exciting! I feel confident, strong, fierce and attractive.7
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I am still experiencing a change in terms of inch loss. It feels great!5
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Inches are most important to me. I like to see the scale go down, but ultimately my goal was to be smaller not lighter.5
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Inches are most important to me. I like to see the scale go down, but ultimately my goal was to be smaller not lighter.
Same here! I have learned not to take the numbers on the scale too seriously.1 -
It totally depends on your goals. If your goal is to look better, be healthier, feel better, etc., then inches are absolutely as good as pounds as a way of measuring progress.
On the other hand, if your goal is to meet some externally defined weight standard that has nothing to do with how you look or feel, then pounds are all that matters.
Weight can vary a lot due to water retention, food waste, muscle growth, etc., but the tape measure doesn't lie. I have personally watched my stomach getting flatter (and my pants looser) while my weight has stayed almost exactly the same for weeks, then suddenly my weight drops by several pounds. I'm not sure what is behind it, but it has happened several times over my weight loss journey.
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Losing inches is more important than losing weight. Fat takes up more space than muscle, so if you're getting stronger & losing inches, don't worry about what the scale says. Too many things can affect your weight.5
This discussion has been closed.
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