Why do you lose inches without losing weight?
My friend called me panicked yesterday and I didn't know what to tell her, so here is her problem: Since early September she has been working out a lot (30 min. on elliptical, 30 on recumbent bike) and eating healthier. Everybody tells her she looks much skinnier and her clothes are noticeably looser on her. She promised me she wouldn't weigh herself as she's had eating disorders in the past, but yesterday she stepped on a scale only to discover she hasn't lost a single pound? What gives? Thanks!
Public Comments
- muscle weighs more than fat. when you burn fat, and replace it with muscle you can lose size without dropping weight.
- Muscle weighs more than fat. Weight means nothing, only thing that matters is the mirror. I'm working to lose inches and GAIN weight and it can be done. So basically tell your friend not to worry about weight as it is not a useful measure of anything except if you are going to exceed the load rating in an elevator.
- Lean body tissue weighs more than fat, so, as she loses fat and tones up (adds muscle density), her weight may stay the same even though she looks (and is) healthier. I would reinforce her positive results by commenting on how slim she looks; how healthy she looks; etc. I would also emphasize that the best way to lose weight and get into shape is by changing your lifestyle; and that the kind of results she's having are better than just losing weight would be. She should also feel better physically then she did before she was working out. Ask her about this and play this up.
- Because Muscle weighs more than fat. as your friend has been working out and eating right they have increased the amount of lean muscle in their body. this will cause them to loose fat which will make them thinner but not lighter!
