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Losing inches

meerkat70
meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Alright, so... measured this morning, and since before Christmas, I've lost just over an inch from my waist, an inch from my bust, nearly an inch from my hips, and a centimeter from my calves. But my weight has not moved since before Christmas (it's been up and down like the proverbial, but hasn't actually moved downwards - I'm the weight today I was on 17 December ).

I know this happens. But my question is, does anyone know *why* it happens? I think I could accept it a bit better if I knew what was actually going on. I get that it's because I'm working out quite intensely (my resting heart rate is now down to 54, which I think is pretty good for a fat chick!). But given that muscle really doesn't weigh more than fat, and given that I understand my actual muscle development isn't going to be that dramatic now that I've been settled into a weights and cardio routine for some time, I just don't get why this kind of thing happens.

Replies

  • icemaiden17_uk
    icemaiden17_uk Posts: 463 Member
    I wisk I could help! I'm sure it is just muscle replacement but I cant swear to that! I hope someone gives you an answer because I would love to know as well!!
  • btdublin
    btdublin Posts: 250 Member
    Alright, so... measured this morning, and since before Christmas, I've lost just over an inch from my waist, an inch from my bust, nearly an inch from my hips, and a centimeter from my calves. But my weight has not moved since before Christmas (it's been up and down like the proverbial, but hasn't actually moved downwards - I'm the weight today I was on 17 December ).

    I know this happens. But my question is, does anyone know *why* it happens? I think I could accept it a bit better if I knew what was actually going on. I get that it's because I'm working out quite intensely (my resting heart rate is now down to 54, which I think is pretty good for a fat chick!). But given that muscle really doesn't weigh more than fat, and given that I understand my actual muscle development isn't going to be that dramatic now that I've been settled into a weights and cardio routine for some time,

    I just don't get why this kind of thing happens.

    Muscle does weigh more than fat. You have definitely gained muscle and lost fat in inches. That is a great and much healthier than scale-watching!
  • thefuzz1290
    thefuzz1290 Posts: 777 Member
    Muscle is denser (and heavier) than fat. If you've lost inches, but stay the same weight, you've added muscle. You may start to see the weight go back down in a week or so. However, if you don't see a drop in actually weight and you stop losing inches, its time to change up your workout routine or diet.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    It's very hard to gain muscle on a calorie deficit - hence my puzzlement.
  • thefuzz1290
    thefuzz1290 Posts: 777 Member
    Not really. It depends on how active you were before. If you were very active, then yes, but if you were pretty sedentary, then no its not that hard. Like I said, you're probably gaining muscle up to the point that your body can on your current diet. When you stop, the scale should go down.
  • gailashton
    gailashton Posts: 292
    I have been doing a lot more circuit classes, boot camp, zumba, etc lately as well as lifting weights. My body has changed so much and my sizes have dropped much more than the scale has of late. If I don't see someone for 3 or 4 weeks then run into them they're like "OMG you've gotten so tiny since the last time I saw you" and I really haven't dropped any more weight. I know it sounds crazy, but it is so true. No worries, go by how your clothes fit, how you look, etc. You're doing a great job!
  • Cat_296
    Cat_296 Posts: 40
    Ok, so here's the explanation in simple terms:

    A pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat, but the size of container that you need to put them in are different ie you need a bigger container for the fat.

    So, if you're losing inches but not pounds on the scale, you are reducing the amount of fat in your body and increasing the amount of muscle ie packing your weight into a smaller container.

    I have a friend who is the same height and roughly the same shape as me (we swap clothes on a regular basis), but I weigh a good 40lbs more than she does because I carry a lot more muscle.

    Hope this helps!
  • zoominzozo
    zoominzozo Posts: 92 Member
    I'd bet money that it's muscle- I know when that first started to lose "weight" a few years back I only had to look at my calves and thighs to see what was going on- my stomach didn't look tighter although I'd lost the inches.

    I guess what I'm saying is the muscle might not be initially where you'd expect.
  • gerdabolton
    gerdabolton Posts: 20 Member
    Muscle looks very different than fat.. but in the end 5lbs is still 5lbs, no matter wether it is 5lbs of fat or 5lbs of muscle.
    so you will look different but the weight is the same.

    This article might help: http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/busting-the-muscle-weighs-more-than-fat-myth.aspx
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Ok, i should perhaps have provided more info, as my query is really beyond the question of the relative density of muscle and fat.

    I've lost a hundred pounds. I've been exercising for quite some time, run, swim, push serious weights and am pretty fit. most literature suggests individuals losing weight can add muscle mass in the first 12 weeks. thereafter its unlikely that you will gain significant muscle mass on a calorie deficit. of course you gain a little, but not really sufficient to account for the pattern i'm describing.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Anyone? Or is it a mystery i'll just have to live with?
  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,367 Member
    This won't happen if you are slimmer but it can happen if you are overweight enough. I find that when I am maintaining I usually lose inches because like you I am exercising alot. I almost think I have lost more inches at times like these. And as someone said you will eventually lose pounds as your metabolism increases. I need to measure again soon. I haven't lost much lately but my daughter and husband have noticed my stomach has gone down.
  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,367 Member
    Ok, i should perhaps have provided more info, as my query is really beyond the question of the relative density of muscle and fat.

    I've lost a hundred pounds. I've been exercising for quite some time, run, swim, push serious weights and am pretty fit. most literature suggests individuals losing weight can add muscle mass in the first 12 weeks. thereafter its unlikely that you will gain significant muscle mass on a calorie deficit. of course you gain a little, but not really sufficient to account for the pattern i'm describing.
    sorry I was responding to the original question. You are right as you lose more and get slimmer this shouldn't continue to happen. Have you changed what type of exercise you have been doing?
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I vary my exercise a fair bit, and I regularly up my weights, and add in new bits to my weight routine. I'm also increasing running distances etc all the time.

    It's not a big crisis. I just find it really odd, and find it hard to explain what it's about. My mum was trying to convince me today that it was 'settling' - you know, like my body was a big cereal box... :-D
This discussion has been closed.

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