How to lose pounds AND inches?

[knicknack]

Hi everyone!

it'll be a week tomorrow that I started induction, and I've lost between 1 and 2.5 pounds and 5.75 inches. I'm unsure exactly how many pounds i've lost because I started in the afternoon on tuesday, so I weighed myself monday and wednesday - was 1.5 less on wednesday than monday. So, I'm not exactly sure how much i weighed when I *actually* started.

But, my question is this: I have a tendency to gain muscle *really* easily. If I'm not careful, I can end up at this weight and all muscle, which makes me look like a linebacker. No joke. I have teeeny tiny bones. ;-)

Is there anything that you can do to prevent this from happening? I think the last time I just didn't exercise at all during induction, but I don't know if that is such a good plan either.

I was wondering if anyone had tips on how to make sure you're still losing weight and not just inches. Foods, or exercise that works better than others, etc... I'd like to get them both going down.

[G-Mom]

Re: How to lose pounds AND inches?

Ok, let me get this straight, you want to lose that calorie and fat burning muscle? Hmm...well, never lift weights or do any weight training, eat too few calories and go into starvation mode. Now, now, I am KIDDING!!! Such a kidder.

Really, why do think you will look like a linebacker without actually trying to, ie. lifting weights? You must be a mesomorph body type times 12! If you want to lose muscle, I guess I really don't know the safe way to do this. Maybe someone else has tips for you.

[knicknack]

Re: How to lose pounds AND inches?

No, I don't want to lose muscle, I just don't want to gain too much of it if that makes any sense. For some reason on a low carb diet I become muscle-gainer extraordinaire. I don't understand it either, believe me.

I just don't want to end up the same weight and all muscle instead of fat - because THAT is when I look like a linebacker (I was a swimmer as a kid, so I already lean towards it without doing much).

It'll even out I guess. Who knows.

[G-Mom]

Re: How to lose pounds AND inches?

I am a mesomorph as well, and I get and keep muscle tone easily as well, and I SWEAR it is primarily due to Atkins. Don't overdue your protein, and make sure you are eating a good amount of fat.

[Isabeau]

Re: How to lose pounds AND inches?

I'm certainly not an expert, but I think you'd have to do some serious lifting to really bulk up. The only thing I can suggest is eat your Atkins, do cardio exercises several times a week (running, cycling, aerobics etc.) and do some strength training as well. I think you'll find that as you lose weight, you'll lose inches and tone your body along the way.

[knicknack]

Re: How to lose pounds AND inches?

I don't know, I already gained 2 pounds of muscle in the 6 days I've been on atkins so far, and I walked twice (about 5 miles total), went dancing once, and played tennis once. I also lost 2 pounds of fat.

(According to mybodycomp, that is)

I've always been like this. At the gym I have to use the lightest weight that still gives me a workout or I bulk up. I absolutely can NOT go above 5 pounds with shoulder weights or wow, i look funky. It's just weird. My trainer told me I could be a body builder if I wanted to be, put it that way.

Thing is, I don't. ;-) I like being slim and toned, not bulky!

I'll figure it out, it may just be that i'm SO abysmally out of shape that I'm catching up quick. hehe.

[G-Mom]

Re: How to lose pounds AND inches?

I don't know, I already gained 2 pounds of muscle in the 6 days I've been on atkins so far, and I walked twice (about 5 miles total), went dancing once, and played tennis once. I also lost 2 pounds of fat.

(According to mybodycomp, that is)

Ok, mybodycomp measures lean body mass NOT just muscle. LBM is everything that is not fat, so when you gained 2 pounds, you have no idea if that is muscle or water weight, so don't get too worked up.

How do you get into mybodycomp, btw? I can't get in, it says they are working on it and have been for awhile.

[knicknack]

Re: How to lose pounds AND inches?

hmm, i don't know - i was there this morning at like 10 am east coast time. I haven't tried since then!

[Finelly]

Re: How to lose pounds AND inches?

KnickKnacky - I have a suggestion. Pilates. It's supposed to be marvelous for toning and strengthening, as well as lengthening. Women's entire body shape have changed just from doing Pilates.

Your gym probably offers classes, and there are also some terrific tapes available. You would still have to do cardio, but you could cut back on weight training or stick to just the lowest number of weights.........