I need an explanation: inches vs. pounds

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erikajune

New member
I just don't understand why I am losing inches but not lbs. I have barely lost an ounce in the last month but i've lost:
1-1.5 inches off my thighs each
1/2 an inch of my calves each
1.5 off my hips
1 off my waist
1 off my bust (which I'm a little sad about, LMAO)

And I can feel my body is slimmer and a little tighter in areas. So yay! I AM happy about that.

So what's going on? LOL Can someone explain to me if I'm replacing fat with muscle? Or is there another explanation? If the scale wants to stay at 205 forever and I'll keep losing inches, I'll take it. LOL
 
Ok, first of all you don't "replace" fat with muscle. :) It's not a one for one exchange. And unless you're really overweight or really out of shape, it's not likely that you're building that much muscle while in a calorie deficit.

So ... there are a couple of things that could be happening.

One, and the most likely, is that you're eating things that are causing you to retain fluid. Whether it's high sodium or there's another type of food that causes you personally to retain water and/or bloat, you're probably holding on to fluid while you lose fat.

Another option is that your body is going through an adjustment period and you may be one of those people who doesn't have their weight loss show on the scale right away. Some people lose like that - their body composition changes and it takes a while for the scale to catch up. Who know why it happens that way ... but for some people it does.

The two things I'd suggest are to carefully examine your meals for sodium or possible other things that would cause you to retain fluid. The second thing is to really not worry about the scale. If you're losing inches and your clothes are fitting better, then just walk away from the scale for a while and give it a rest. Maybe weigh once a month - but let the inches be your guide, not your weight.

Edited: Oh wait - I just looked at your ticker and saw that you've lost a lot of weight already. It's possible that your body is going through a stabilization phase, too. I don't know the explanation for it, but I know a LOT of people who have lost a significant amount of weight and then hit a pause .. not a plateau though. Their bodies keep changing but the scale stops. It's like their bodies just have to ... I dunno .. adapt to the new weight?

Either way, my advice above still stands - walk away from the scale for a bit.
 
Yeah, there's no doubt I still eat like crap. I HAVE made huge improvements but I clearly eat too much fat. I had something like 50-70 g of fat in my diet per day this week even though my calories per day were all around 1200-1400. But I'm learning! I've been tracking everything and this is how I know I'm still eating crap. So yay!
 
Ok, so well ... that explains a lot.

First of all, 1200 calories is way too little for you. The reason the scale isn't moving is probably because your body *is* retaining water and fluid and fat because you're under nourishing it. Especially if you're eating too few calories AND eating badly on top of it.

It's possible to be tightening the muscle and losing some inches, but your body will still try to pad fat to stave off malnourishment.

At your weight and if you're exercising you need to be eating around 1800 calories a day to lose healthily. And you need to make sure you're getting a GOOD balance of complex carbs, proteins, and healthy fats.

If you eat junk, you're going to continue to stall on the scale and eventually you'll stall on the inches as well.
 
erikajune said:
Yeah, there's no doubt I still eat like crap. I HAVE made huge improvements but I clearly eat too much fat. I had something like 50-70 g of fat in my diet per day this week even though my calories per day were all around 1200-1400. But I'm learning! I've been tracking everything and this is how I know I'm still eating crap. So yay!
Click to expand...

um. thats actually right on target for how much fat you should be consuming in a day fat should make up 20-30% of your total calories consumed a day.... the catch however is the bulk of those fats should be unsat sources........
 
Ugh. This is so hard! LOL

Ok, I do aerobics 6 days per week - things like Jillian Michaels and Billy Blanks and other kickboxing DVDs. Usually 40-45 minutes per day. I do 20 minutes of free weights 3 times per week (just started this last week).

I lost 90 lbs a few years ago and maintained 195 for over a year. I then gained 15 back over the past year. My first month back on the horse I lost 5lbs. This month, nothing. The first month i just exercised and ate as normal.

I've been under an incredible amount of stress this month though... maybe that's it. I dont know.

I need to do more research on food I guess. Plus, as you know I hate to cook so this is the hardest part. Exercise, no problem. I HATED it in the beginning but I'm learning to love it now. The first 90 lbs I lost using only my exercise bike and walking. This time, I can't stand the bike - the minutes feel like hours. I have fallen in love with workout DVDs. Any recommendations?
 
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