How did I lose inches and not pounds without working out?

I gained 50 lbs during my pregnancy, weighing in at 196 just before giving birth in May. I now weigh 185, which means I've only lost 11 lbs. but my daughter was 7lbs 5oz, plus the placenta, etc. I am about an inch away from my old jean size (size 5-6) and I haven't worked out at all, so how come I've lost so many inches with virtually no weight loss? I am not breastfeeding, tried but she wouldn't do it. I didn't work out at all while pregnant and I haven't worked out since. I honestly don't eat right, and haven't had the energy to work out. I am 5'7" so I guess I am pretty tall.

Public Comments

1. because you gained muscle which weighs 5 times as much as fat, so you lost fat but gained muscle which is good for you in the long run because muscle helps to burn fat
2. No carb diets work for me.
3. You must be really tall, that is amazing that you weigh 185 and can almost wear a 5-6 in jeans. I wish! The only thing I can think of is that you have muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat. Did you work out while you were pregnant? Otherwise I really don't know.
4. Congratulations, but PLEASE share your secret! What exercise if any have you been doing, other than lifting that sweet baby? The above post is correct, you have switched fat for muscle. Also, there are considerable shifts in things like blood volume (primarily fluid) after the birth. Are you breast feeding? That helps shape you up in ways unknown to me.
5. how tall ar are you? you suck.lol i have had 5 kids and i have only gained weight with the last one. i think your weight is watter. you can hide watter in some wierd places. my new best friend is a pill called exlax. i know it is grose but i was 97 lbs when i got pregnant and am now178. i am 5 foot 6. i have never been fat i dont like this at all.
6. Hello Newmom! Congrats on the baby girl ! I had mine August 2005 and I know exactly how you feel. I gained 80 lbs during my pregnancy (YIKES!) and as of July still weighed 200 lbs. Prepregnancy I was about 175'ish, give or take a few pounds. I started the Cambridge Diet and lost 17 lbs the first 3 weeks and have been using different variations of the diet since then. To date I've lost 30 lbs and am now 169 lbs and still losing. You might want to look into this. The main reason I say this is not just for weight loss (there are multiple plans available based on each individual so see website link below and look under "The Diet" for more details) but for increased energy. I was spending $50 a month on liquid vitamins that were designed for persons with Chronic Fatigue and was STILL tired. Turns out the Cambridge gave me more of what I needed than those expensive vitamins because it gives your body 100% of it's daily vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It's cheap too. 15 servings cost $22. You can order through the website below or just surf it for more info if you're interested. I'm a HUGE fan of these supplements, plus, they taste good. This morning I had a Cambridge cappacino-chocolate-caramel shake that was delicious. (they have regular flavors but they also have about a gazillion recipes to keep it interesting). You do this diet and you'll get your energy back plus fit into your jeans. Sounds as if your body is really getting the metabolism back into gear too. That's great! You're losing so many inches because all your "stuff" (LOL!) is going back into place.