Losing Inches but not Pounds - Explain please :)

tabinmaine
tabinmaine Posts: 965 Member
edited November 11 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok, so I have not lost any weight or anything to get excited about in the past 2 wks or more. As much as that annoys me I have also been taking my measurements and I have lost there, so I will take that !

My question is this : I am not 10-20lbs within my goal, not even close, so how the heck am I losing inches but not weight ?

I mean I can't keep just losing inches without the scale moving at all , sheesh, I have at least 50lbs to still lose.

Can anyone explain this to me ? Thanks !
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Replies

  • jimmysimpson
    jimmysimpson Posts: 7
    says you lost 17 lbs?????????????
  • tiffanypardus
    tiffanypardus Posts: 54
    she said nothing in the last 2 weeks but inches
  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    what is more important? I mean it's not like you carry some scales round with you to show people- what matters is appearance and clearly that is changing. The other stuff will catch up anyway. Clearly you're doing something right so I wouldn't worry!
  • CaseRat
    CaseRat Posts: 377 Member
    Now I'm no expert but I know enough...
    Muscle weighs more than fat due to it being more dense; simple as that. If you're losing fat and putting on muscle, you won't be losing any weight on the scales but you'll look visibly smaller, and as you say, will be losing inches.

    Don't worry so much about the number on the scales - the mirror is your best friend.
  • littlesizzler
    littlesizzler Posts: 5
    because muscle takes up less room in your body than fat. U apparently have hit a plateau in your loss but you have continued to sculpt your body... take both "losses" numbers on the scale and inches on the waist. GOOD JOB!!!!!
  • sondra216379
    sondra216379 Posts: 174 Member
    Yup, if you are losing inches but not weight you are gaining muscle, or at least that's how I understand it. I'd definitely take it!!
  • cbtownsend
    cbtownsend Posts: 7
    That is why it is recommended to take measurements as well. Weight is not always accurate. Muscle outweighs fat, so I would rather be 150 and toned than 140 and flabby. Who cares what the scale says anyway? I am more concerned in how I feel and how my clothes fit... that is what keeps me going.
  • lillmssy
    lillmssy Posts: 67
    I'm in the same boat. I have been at it for about 6-7 weeks now and have lost more inches than weight. My jeans tell the story.
    I'm good with that ;)
  • hope516
    hope516 Posts: 1,133 Member
    what is more important? I mean it's not like you carry some scales round with you to show people- what matters is appearance and clearly that is changing. The other stuff will catch up anyway. Clearly you're doing something right so I wouldn't worry!

    this!!!!
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    put the scale away, it lies, and concentrate on how you are reshaping your body. You are losing fat but gaining muscle. I would rather have the muscles any day. I am in the same boat as you but I do feel better and different within my body. Try weighing in once a month. The number on the scale psychologically wrecks me so I have been attempting to weigh once a month besides the occasional peek to make sure I am on the right track. As long as you are eating well and exercising, your body will continue to redesign itself.. You just have to be patient. I am with ya!!!! Believe me!! I think it is much harder to lose weight as you get older. Keep on keeping on and put the scale away!!!
  • smiles4support
    smiles4support Posts: 73
    in my experience I lost inches before I started to see the scale move.......you are doing something right! KEEP IT UP!!!
  • honeyb7
    honeyb7 Posts: 45
    I have found if I fluctuate my calorie intake it sort of wakes up my metabolism. For instance, some days I will be a bit below my recommended amount (not for too many consecutive days, because eating too few calories will put your body in starvation mode) and then eat my normal calories for a couple of days. I would watch how many of your exercise calories you are eating back too..too few calories and again starvation mode...eating some of them is better than not eating them since your body will hold on to them if it thinks it's starving!
    :smile:
  • tabinmaine
    tabinmaine Posts: 965 Member
    While I understand what you are all saying, I currently weight 193lbs, so it's not like I am going to be 193lbs and all muscle bahahahahahhaha....... I guess what I am asking is for how long does the "losing inches" mean something ???

    If I was 150-130 I would understand the toning and sculpting and losing inches would be good,

    But I am 5"4 and weight 193 lol can't be 193lbs of muscle, that would VERY unattractive lol
  • roseemb
    roseemb Posts: 85 Member
    Maybe this visual will help:

    http://www.onemorebite-weightloss.com/muscle-to-fat.html

    There is a huge visual difference between 5lbs of fat vs 5lbs of muscle, the density is that much different and they take up ad different amount of space.
  • dtenzie
    dtenzie Posts: 24
    Basically muscle weighs more than fat. Whenever you start a workout program in the beginning your muscles are not use to the workout. So they get bigger. Fat takes up more space in your body. Think of it this way if you compare 1lb of muscle (size of a kiwi) to 1lb of fat (size of a grapefruit). Muscle is much heavier but takes up less space in your body. Hence losing inches yet the scale isn't moving. Keep up the good work :-).
  • tabinmaine
    tabinmaine Posts: 965 Member
    Maybe this visual will help:

    http://www.onemorebite-weightloss.com/muscle-to-fat.html

    There is a huge visual difference between 5lbs of fat vs 5lbs of muscle, the density is that much different and they take up ad different amount of space.

    Thank you for that, I have seen that pic before but it's neat to read about it.
  • tabinmaine
    tabinmaine Posts: 965 Member
    Basically muscle weighs more than fat. Whenever you start a workout program in the beginning your muscles are not use to the workout. So they get bigger. Fat takes up more space in your body. Think of it this way if you compare 1lb of muscle (size of a kiwi) to 1lb of fat (size of a grapefruit). Muscle is much heavier but takes up less space in your body. Hence losing inches yet the scale isn't moving. Keep up the good work :-).

    So is my body all of a sudden going to start melting this weight off ?

    I do know that my muscles are much much bigger and harder and stronger. Some will argue with me, but I know my body and my muscles are growing very quickly, even though I have read over and over that you can't gain muscle when you are not in a "bulking cycle"......
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    The more muscles you have the more calories you will burn just by doing nothing. You are reshaping yourself. Giving up is not an option. How do you feel? If you feel healthy and strong and see changes in the way your clothes fit you, then that should be sufficient. The scale just shows your relation to gravity, not all the good things that are going on inside your body!!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    It might not be so much that you're gaining muscle, which is really hard to do on a calorie deficit, but as you're exercising, your body retains fluids to repair your muscle, which can temporarily cause the scale to stall or in some cases show an increase.

    Drink plenty of fluid, take rest days every so often, and know you're doing the right thing. The numbers will follow.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    How much are you eating daily?

    Higher calories will tend to net better results if you create that type of fat burning environment macro wise.
  • fang19423
    fang19423 Posts: 1,407 Member
    I have been on a 30 day fitness plan and my diet has been ok but maybe could be a little better. However, I have proved the theory, exercise alone will not reduce your weight. I am on day 27 and I do feel fitter, but have only lost 1.45 lbs however, I have lost over 18 inches from various parts of my body - so it's not all bad news :-)
  • aj_gettingfit
    aj_gettingfit Posts: 257
    what is more important? I mean it's not like you carry some scales round with you to show people- what matters is appearance and clearly that is changing. The other stuff will catch up anyway. Clearly you're doing something right so I wouldn't worry!

    I agree! I would rather be losing inches than nothing at all. Stick with it.
  • sarafil
    sarafil Posts: 506 Member
    I would much rather be losing inches than pounds.
  • Alphawolf02
    Alphawolf02 Posts: 94
    I am not sure what kind of exercises you are doing, but your lack of weight loss may be due to burning of fat but building of muscle. Muscle weighs more that fat does, so, if you are building muscle and losing fat, you are not going to see a big change in the scale. You will, however, notice a decrease in inches due to the areas of your body where fat is deposited and where muscle is added. Make sure you are using a variation of strength training and cardio workouts that are appropriate for you, in order to get the most out of your weight loss. Your weight will keep dropping, it just might not do it as quickly. I have been dieting for a while now and I see a greater decrease in my inches than I do my weight. Keep an eye on how your clothes are feeling and how you look in the mirror. Good luck and I hope this helped.
  • MrDude_1
    MrDude_1 Posts: 2,510 Member
    So is my body all of a sudden going to start melting this weight off ?

    I do know that my muscles are much much bigger and harder and stronger. Some will argue with me, but I know my body and my muscles are growing very quickly, even though I have read over and over that you can't gain muscle when you are not in a "bulking cycle"......


    as much as I would love to tell you that you're gaining pounds of muscle... most of the weight you see is just water.
    Water is very heavy and as you lose fat, your body may start retaining it for a period of time... the so-called "plateau" people get...

    the good news is, yes.. you will suddenly weigh alot less... you're still moving forward. You just need to wait until your body "releases" that extra water, and woosh... you weigh less.

    if you want to mess with your head, weigh yourself in the morning (when people generally weigh the least), then drink 2 cups of water... you suddenly "gained" a pound.... if you wanted to suddenly "lose" pounds.. go out drinking for the night. (note: im not seriously recommending this, this is just an example)... when you wake up dehydrated from the alcohol the next morning, you will weigh pounds less... your weight can change drastically depending on how much water(and food, and waste) your body has in it. When you're losing fat, this number can change even more then normal as your body retains water.. and your dietary habits have changed from "normal" to a lesser amount of food.. and probably more water consumed.
    make sense?
  • tabinmaine
    tabinmaine Posts: 965 Member
    How much are you eating daily?

    Higher calories will tend to net better results if you create that type of fat burning environment macro wise.

    My diary/exercise diary is open but I was set at 1200 but eating more than that each day, usually 1500-1800 after working out though.
    I have just inceased my calorie goal to my BMR which I believe is 1601. I will eat that each day plus some of my workout calories and see what happens.

    I have changed my caloric goal up and down between 1200-1600 the past few weeks, just trying to find my "sweet spot"
  • tabinmaine
    tabinmaine Posts: 965 Member
    I should add that I am burning approx 600 calories , 5x a week with exercise, usually 500-800 calories daily. 1-2 days off each week.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    In my opinion you should be eating 2000 calories a day.

    The math....

    1601bmr x1.5 activity is 2400 - 20% = 1920.

    You dont eat enough to fuel the body.

    Plateau is on its way!

    Right now you will be burning muscle and fat.

    It's not optimal.
  • tabinmaine
    tabinmaine Posts: 965 Member
    In my opinion you should be eating 2000 calories a day.

    The math....

    1601bmr x1.5 activity is 2400 - 20% = 1920.

    You dont eat enough to fuel the body.

    Plateau is on its way!

    Right now you will be burning muscle and fat.



    It's not optimal.

    ok so 2000 a day no matter what exercise I do or 2000 and also eat exercise calories back ?
  • Zakth
    Zakth Posts: 37
    To say that muscle weighs more than fat is like saying a pound of rice weighs more than a pound of pasta. A pound of anything is still a pound. The difference, like others have said is density. This is the reason one would lose inches and not pounds.
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