Scale Horror

[sherice]

Ok TOM was over a couple of days ago, I of course gained around six pounds from that....now I also started a weight training routine along with cardio which I do every other day. My waist is still two inches smaller then when I first started but I am weighing in at 12 pounds heavier then when I first started! I am getting really frustrated and really really upset! My stomach feels tighter but the scale says I am fatter!!! WTH?!?!?! I work out soooo hard every damn day! Plus I started taking an afro carib workout class ontop of that which is hardcore and really makes you sweat!!! I took it twice last week! Anyway, someone please tell me whats going on!! I am still producing ketones...I haven't really changed anything...so why is the scale creeping up like this????If anything it should be going down...it got so bad...I was crying today....

[julirama723]

Re: Scale Horror

Sherice, you need to understand muscle and fat and how they effect your body.

First, take a deep breath, and smile, because you're doing good things!

When you begin a new exercise regime, increase an old one, or add strength training, this is going to add muscle to your body. This muscle will be more dense than fat--meaning 5lb. of muscle weighs the same as 5lb. of fat, but it takes up MUCH less room! This is why your stomach is tighter and your waist is two inches smaller. The scale doesn't tell you how much fat you've lost, only what gravity's pull on your body mass is=weight. It doesn't care if you've gained muscle and lost fat, it just shows a number. You are gaining LOTS of muscle with this new workout schedule.

Also, muscle that you have will continually be growing and strengthening when you use it--it has to retain water to repair alllllllllllll those little fibers. So, not only are you gaining muscle, the muscle is holding on to water.

Make sure you're drinking your water and TAKE MEASUREMENTS! I only lost 5lb. in December, but I lost 10 inches. I gained LOTS of muscle which I'm incredibly happy about--muscle is active tissue, meaning it burns calories just sitting there doing nothing, even while you're sleeping. So drink your water, and help let go of some of that water your muscles are retaining.

Keep up the great work, and ignore that @#%^@ing scale!

[Elizellen]

Re: Scale Horror

No the scale doesnt say you are fatter - it says you weigh more!

You are shrinking in size and changing shape to become a healthier slimmer person - which is what everyone around you will be noticing

Wouldnt you rather be smaller even if your scales say your body is heavier? Many people on Atkins report they can wear smaller sizes of clothes at the same weight that they wore a couple of sizes larger before Atkins.

[sadie147]

Re: Scale Horror

If you are really concerned maybe you can post a menu in the 'review my menu' forum as well...though I always gain weight when I start exercising after a break from it for a while.

[sherice]

Re: Scale Horror

thank you everyone! That makes me feel alot better!! So hopefully my body will adjust and let go of the water! I will just continue to do what I am doing....

[OBob]

Re: Scale Horror

A pound of muscle consumes about 60 calories per day to sustain itself. If it's getting that energy from fat (as it does when you're doing Atkins), the numbers translate out to roughly:

1 pound of new muscle: .5 pounds of fat burned per month, 6 pounds per year
3 pounds of new muscle: 1.5 pounds of fat burned per month, 19 pounds per year
5 pounds of new muscle: 2.6 pounds of fat burned per month, 31 pounds per year
10 pounds of new muscle: 5.1 pounds of fat burned per month, 62 pounds per year
12 pounds of new muscle: 6.2 pounds of fat burned per month, 74 pounds per year
15 pounds of new muscle: 7.7 pounds of fat burned per month, 93 pounds per year
20 pounds of new muscle: 10.3 pounds of fat burned per month, 123 pounds per year

Source: http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybui...tness_tip.html

So, yeah... Keep it up!!

OBob