Losing pounds but not inches?

I have the opposite problem I am loosing inches but not pounds. some say it's because I am replacing a fat pound with a muscle pound etc. Maybe it's a similar effect with you? Also have you kept a chart weekly of your inches? I've noticed I won't loose any in one particular area at all, but yes around others.

I have found that for me it takes losing a lot of pounds before I'll lose an inch. I've also lost inches without losing pounds. There is no rhyme or reason for me and one doesn't necessarily follow the other. Pounds or inches, I'll take either.

shadow2soul wrote: »

How many places are you taking measurements?

You are likely losing from places that you aren't measuring.

For me, I measure 7 different places. I figure I must not be hitting the same spot every time (except maybe my knees?) b/c after initially losing quite a lot of inches I haven't lost any in a long time. I think it HAS to do with where I'm measuring each time (not hitting the same spot) because I have loose skin at my knees starting and it's pretty hard to mis-measure that spot. Same with upper thighs, arms, and belly. I don't "squish" the loose skin when I measure and I wonder if that's why I'm not seeing it in inches lost????

Are you trying to measure yourself? The reason I ask, is that it's not uncommon to have inconsistent measurements due to tape placement on curvy bodies. Are you measuring naked or over top of clothing? If over clothing, that can create some issues as well.

If you have someone that can help, that's the easiest way to stay consistent. If not, do measurements in front of the mirror, so you can try and judge how level the tape measure is. Also, use easy to identify land marks to help ensure you measure at the same location. For busts, it's usually recommended to lay the tape across the center of the nipples and about 1 inch about the base of the shoulder blades. For waist, rather then targeting the widest part (which can change as you lose weight), it's better to use the natural waist line which for women is actually 1 inch above the belly button. It easier to ensure the tape lays flat and easier to be consistent. For hips, I tend to use my hip bone as a guide. I dig my finger into my hip until I can feel the pointy part of the bone and then lay the tape right underneath my finger. Thighs can be tough, so I cheat by measuring up 8inch from the top of my knee cap.

Also remember, don't pull the tape so tight that you create a "muffin top" effect, but tight enough that there is no space between the skin and tape and no buckling anywhere in the tape.

Another trick that helps, is after measuring everything, go back and measure it all again 2 more times. Use the average as your recorded number. If you are doing placement well, you shouldn't see more then 1/8 of an inch in difference between these measurements anyway.

Are you exercising that increases inch loss

As others suggested consistency is important for comparison. I always measure myself w/o clothes in the morning. I measure the smallest part of my waist and neck but everything else I measure the largest part. I measure hips/butt, thighs, calves and upper arms. I generally try a few different times and then take the lowest number for my waist and neck and the largest numbers for everything else. I see very little change in my neck, arms and calves but see a lot of difference in hips/butt, thighs and waist. I only track my measurements from my right side as my left is slightly different.

I am the opposite. I have lost inches but not as much weight as I would like to by this point. I know everyone says inches are more important, but that damn scale gets the better of me, and I get upset when I haven't lost any weight. I live by the scale though, so I'm trying to change that part of my journey! Great weight loss so far! Keep it up, you will see the inches decrease!

I had trouble measuring and getting numbers that made sense, so I gave up for a bit. Then I picked up a body fat tape measure off Amazon for like $15. It has a button than pulls the tape in with the same spring everytime and I'm finding better results with it than a fabric tape.

And I do agree you are probably losing in areas you are not measuring. Or it is coming off evenly and slowly. I lost in the neck, face, arms and legs first and now my gut is shrinking pretty good with the rest staying consistent. I'm going down a pant size every couple of weeks now. Makes clothes shopping a pain.

I always lose from my face, neck, arms, shoulders, and back first. I've lost over 20 pounds over the last year and I've not gone down a pants size yet.

Are you sure your measuments haven't moved even a little? My half inch there, qtr inch here/there adds up. I didn't lose inches until 15 lbs so don't despair.

As mentioned above get an actual body measuring tape. I use a myotape, it's like 10 bucks.

I want to be candid though, with 100 lbs to lose you are gonna have some loose skin mucking with your measurements. Your skin will bounce back quite a bit but it takes time(depending on your age and general skin health this could mean years). You should keep your water intake high and use a quality moisturizer during weight loss, don't wait till after you've lost the weight.

V_Faery wrote: »

I have the opposite problem I am loosing inches but not pounds. some say it's because I am replacing a fat pound with a muscle pound etc. Maybe it's a similar effect with you? Also have you kept a chart weekly of your inches? I've noticed I won't loose any in one particular area at all, but yes around others.

its hard to build muscle in a deficit,you also wont replace one for another lb for lb,maybe in a surplus.

Try taking photos of yourself in the same clothes, (or no clothes) standing in the same place. Overlay one photo with the other and make it slightly transparent. You'll see the difference in your size.