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does muscel really weigh more than fat?

sky379
sky379 Posts: 46
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
How is it that the more I work out, the higher the number goes on the scale. My workouts used to be predominately cardio (long distance running) with about 20 min strength training in the mornings (pushups, sit ups, lunges, etc). I have recently started doing pure barre (form of pilates, yoga, ballet with a focus on small isometric movements) every day and run a little less often than I used to (too hot outside). I know I haven't lost any inches and the number on the scale keeps rising. I am one of those people that goes by the scale, so it is very frustrating when that number keeps going up. Even though I haven't lost inches, I know I am getting stronger, but I am worried that I am bulking up and gaining weight.

any suggestions? advice?

In addition, I have noticed that my appetite has increased. I am trying to keep it in check, but it is difficult with work (full time law student, summer desk job at a law firm...I walk around a bunch, but get bored just sitting there, plus they take us out to lunch everyday). I used to have my settings set at 1200 net, but that was wayyyyy to little for me (especially on my rest days, when I wouldn't get much exercise in) so I increased it to 1440 (kind of an arbitrary number). I have done so much research on bmr and tdee and have been counting calories for most of my life, but numbers are way above my head, so if someone could help me out on that...maybe that will put the scale in check. And i've gone on the websites with the calculators, I just get confused with activity level (do I put my activity level including working out, which is different every day) or just sedentary??
Stats:
25 year old female
5' 2"
I was 113, but now apparently am 118
medium/athletic build
activity level: at school and at work sitting for most of the day, getting up to walk as much as possible, take stairs when i can and then work out most days of the week (i aim for everyday, but events come up so probably around 5-6 days). I do pure barre in the mornings (no idea how many calories that burns) and then if I can, run in the evenings (around 500-700 cals burned).

so if someone can weigh in on the whole getting stronger, but not losing inches AND gaining weight issue as well as trying to balance out my enormous appetite!!! THANK YOU

Replies

  • Madelinew22
    Madelinew22 Posts: 289
    Muscle is far more 'dense' then fat. U seem tiny anyways cuz I'm also 5'2 and weigh 120. I'm working on bf% online calculates say 23% other ppl say 19-20% I think ur doin fine keep with the weights and gain more muscle and it's ok if the scale goes up. I eat 1300 net cals my workouts are anywhere from 200-500 cals burned I eat most back putting me at 1300 net.
  • katemme
    katemme Posts: 191
    Do a ton of feathers and a ton of bricks weigh the same? Yes.

    Muscle is more dense than fat.
  • jfan175
    jfan175 Posts: 812 Member
    "does muscel really weigh more than fat?"

    The over and under on this thread is 5 pages.
  • Bobby_Clerici
    Bobby_Clerici Posts: 1,828 Member
    Muscle weighs more than fat...BY VOLUME.
    In other words, a gallon of muscle weighs more than a gallon of fat. Muscle has more density than fat like lead has more density than salt.
    This explains why 2 people the same height and weight can look so much different.
    One might be chiseled and muscled while the other sloppy fat.

    Good Luck to you in your journey!
  • RainbootsToBikinis
    RainbootsToBikinis Posts: 465 Member
    It is very very difficult for women to bulk up. Even for an adult male a 1lb muscle gain a week is difficult. Your body is retaining water. The more you workout the more water your muscles retain to help them heal. If you are already under 120 you should have your settings at .5 a pound a week, since you're smaller you don't have a lot to lose.

    List your activity as sedentary if you have a desk job and then log your workouts separately and eat back some of your exercise calories.
  • BananaCat83
    BananaCat83 Posts: 77 Member
    Short answer: no. It's denser so it just takes up less space. When I'm working with my clients I prefer to gage progress by how the clothes are fitting, not the number on the scale. That or track your body fat %

    I also sit at a desk all day. So even though I work out 5 days a week for at least an hour, I set my profile to sedentary on here because I'm on my *kitten* 8hrs a day :frown:
  • xMonroeMisfit
    xMonroeMisfit Posts: 411 Member
    Cant help but BUMPing cause im going through the same thing.
This discussion has been closed.

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