Why losing inches not pounds?

[nfl1 0]

This weekend at softball practice (I coach) one of my players mentioned to pull my pants up! It was the first I noticed that they were almost sliding off. The scale shows that I am going up/down 1-4 pounds throughout last week, not down... and I know that others mention this.

So, why do we seem to lose inches, but the numbers don't show on the scale? Is it all just muscle tone or something? (I measured my lower ab and it doesn't seem to have gone down that much).

[savannahsmommie 0]

Muscle weighs more than fat. Working out and eating right will lead to more muscle mass and less body fat.

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

She's right! Fat takes up more room but weighs less. So a pound of fat takes up more room than a pound of muscle. SOOOOO when you lose a pound but build muscle, you get smaller but weigh the same.

[nfl1 0]

So I'm gaining that much muscle? Wouldn't it take up the same amount of room too? or maybe it's in different spots than the fat?

[nfl1 0]

That is very cool - I never knew!

[sil 0]

I hear ya an its makes a world of difference. i went from a 26to a 22. well i can still wear the 26 an get into a 22. how nice is that.

[nfl1 0]

That's what felt so weird, Sil, I can still wear my 28 pants with the elastic waist and they feel comfy, but my 28 jeans are falling down...haven't had the nerve to try the 26 ones yet, but will tonight (scared I'll be stuck without any to wear).

[lose2regainme 0]

So I'm gaining that much muscle? Wouldn't it take up the same amount of room too? or maybe it's in different spots than the fat?

A pound of lead and a pound of cotton balls weigh the same, but take up a very different amount of space. Same concept with lean muscle mass and fat.

Also, when you first start exercising and losing, your muscles have fat in them, like a marbled cut of meat, that fat is very dense and burns off more slowly, but once its gone, leaving the lean muscle, the lean muscle burns other fat more quickly and more efficiently. That's why it is important to do a little weight training also, not just cardio.

[debbie_7155 0]

I hadnt lost any weight on the scale for 3 weeks, But have lost inches & im more pleased about that, as at least people can see the fat fading away, they cant on the scales, only us...

But woke today & ive lost 3lbs on the scales..beats me.. im just pleased either way that im losing :purplebananna:

[luluharper1981 0]

I am having the same issue. I stuck between 227-229. I feel like I am losing but the scales are not showing. I am getting frustrated with this. I am going on vacation in 2 weeks and hope that I see a difference on the scale!

[rcruz 0]

That's what felt so weird, Sil, I can still wear my 28 pants with the elastic waist and they feel comfy, but my 28 jeans are falling down...haven't had the nerve to try the 26 ones yet, but will tonight (scared I'll be stuck without any to wear).

And I am scared to go to the 24's, I went from 28's to 26's and now they are very lose on me but not falling off do you think we get scared of the change?!?!?!

[nyygrl76 0]

Im going through the same thing myself.....the scale hasnt moved in over a week but yet my scrub bottoms are falling off when I walk ! Think its time to take out the measuring tape again ! :redface:

[nfl1 0]

And I am scared to go to the 24's, I went from 28's to 26's and now they are very lose on me but not falling off do you think we get scared of the change?!?!?!

I know for me it's more scared that something that felt so small before still won't fit, and don't want to be disappointed. That happened with the jeans that are now falling off - I didn't try them for awhile because I never thought they'd fit, and in April, I finally tried (didn't have any other jeans and needed some for vacation) and I was astonished when they fit perfectly! So, I'm not sure why I'm so scared to try again with the 26s.

[Jaffa 5]

Just be careful of putting too much value in any weight loss or gain within a weeks time. Your Water weight can change your total weight by more then what you are losing.

I found this to be very frustrating, until I started logging all of my food and how many calories I was burning each day. That way I know I'm losing, it just doesn't show on the scale because of my Water weight changes. Eventually, it does show up, and I bounce up and down in a new lower range. Over a months time, my calorie calculations show that I should lose 8lbs, and I almost always have, but each day or week doesn't mean as much.

[uga_30 0]

I feel the same my scale goes up and down..I was walking regulary but my hetic schedule I havent been walking so much..But I had my surgery on Nov 5th, 08..I have only lost 25lbs..I get my 4th fill Tues 26th..What am I doing wrong, or should I see more results with my 4th fill..Help I feel like a Looser and not in the weight department. I still have my stomach and looks like Im loosing in the butt? I dont know what to do