Weightlifting and the Scale

[forensic6 89]

In the last 3 weeks I have been religiously working out on my Bowflex and feel as if I have toned quite a bit. The downside is that muscle weighs more than fat and I cannot seem to make my scale move right now. I've lost 45 lbs since beginning this journey but only 20 of that since my surgery on 4/17 this year. I'm eating right but also having a glass of wine each night (this was okayed by my doc and nutritionist).

The good news is my clothes are fitting better (I'm down a couple of sizes) so that is an NSV I suppose.

Has anyone else experienced this? I see my surgeon tonight and wonder what he might suggest.

[GuyMontag 1,264]

I have experienced the exact same thing. I'd recommend tracking your body fat percentage instead of weight. You can buy scales that will measure it for you or they make handheld devices that can do it too.

[downysoft 51]

How does a scale track ur BMI? I am curious about that

[GuyMontag 1,264]

You don't need a scale to track your BMI. BMI is just a simple calculation based on your weight and your height. I use a simple Excel spreadsheet to do mine but I think BMI is a very outdated way of measuring weight loss success.

Metric Units: BMI = Weight (kg) / (Height (m) x Height (m))

English Units: BMI = Weight (lb) / (Height (in) x Height (in)) x 703

[bambam31 168]

I've done so myself many times, however, don't fret over a scale reading. It's a poor measurement of success anyway. As previously mentioned, strive for a better body composition by improving your body fat percentage.

If after several weeks you have no progress on the scale or with NSV's, then it's time to make an assessment because you've likely reached your energy balance equilibrium and are stalled out.

Don't get too hung up on the “muscle weighs more than fat” rationality though either. Yes, gram for gram that's true, however, most bandsters trying lose weight have a prolonged calorie deficit – and the odds of adding muscle while in a prolonged deficit is nil.

I too have a bowflex that I use as one tool in my exercise routine!

Brad

[forensic6 89]

How does a scale track ur BMI? I am curious about that

Well, not actual BMI but a body fat percentage. It does that by sending an electric signal through your body and the speed of transfer helps calculate the percentage.

[forensic6 89]

I've done so myself many times' date=' however, don't fret over a scale reading. It's a poor measurement of success anyway. As previously mentioned, strive for a better body composition by improving your body fat percentage.

If after several weeks you have no progress on the scale or with NSV's, then it's time to make an assessment because you've likely reached your energy balance equilibrium and are stalled out.

Don't get too hung up on the “muscle weighs more than fat” rationality though either. Yes, gram for gram that's true, however, most bandsters trying lose weight have a prolonged calorie deficit – and the odds of adding muscle while in a prolonged deficit is nil.

I too have a bowflex that I use as one tool in my exercise routine!

Brad[/quote']

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I got to the bottom of it--I said goodbye to alcohol, period. I dropped 8 lbs in the past week . Still adding muscle too!

[lellow 1,713]

I don't want to lose anymore but want to get my BFP down too. I don't think weight loss is an accurate measure when you're working to build muscle as well. As I continue to strength train, I fully expect that I will gain some weight so am monitoring my BFP and measurements of my body instead.

I want to be like Brad! Well the toned female version at least lol. I looked at the bowflex but ended up getting an Inspire M3.

[xJMorgan 1]

Sam thing I'm struggling with day in/out.

[B-52 7,113]

I concentrate on 2 separate areas when I workout......

First and foremost...my calorie intake is greatly reduced because of the band, (I don't and never did count calories) and what I do eat I eat all healthy....no more meat either...along with reduced food intake I concentrate on running at least 5 miles a day to burn fat.....

After my run, I will do weights and core exercises to keep muscle and skin tone...

And lastly, I will sit in the sauna everyday for 30 minutes...nothing to do with weight loss, but does open pores releasing body toxins, and improving skin tone....

I do all this 5 days a week, usually at 5:30 in the morning, and always on a empty stomach...before eating Breakfast, then hve a high Protein recovery shake immediately afterward....

I have bee at my optimum body fat % for almost 2 years now, burned all the excess fat there is....have not lost or gained any weight in a very long time, AND YET....I have noticed my pants are loose and falling down so I bought the next size smaller and they fit fine...I can even go another size down.

And I should mention, all through my workout and sitting in the sauna, I go through about 32oz's of Water easily....AND with all the weight I have lost and body toning, I have never had an issue with excess skin people complain about so much....

[xJMorgan 1]

I find it hard to bulk since we can only eat so much. My Doctor office goes by scale so I don't want them to think I'm not doing right if I'm gaining weight. I stay between 195-205 lbs but dying to super bulk.

[Stacey Shannon DeRouen 0]

I recently started exercising and I have put on 20 pounds. I love the weights and cardio. I am trying to get to my goal weight and tone up. I have a total of 40 pounds to go now that I gained the extra 20. I am going to try low carbs and more Protein. Any other suggestions?