Losing inches but not pounds

[dimar97]

I have been very frustrated since about week three. I have been following this woe since 4-9-07 and I have lost and maintained exactly 3 (three) pounds. I can't tell you how many mornings were ruined by that horrible scale (which reads pretty much what my doctor's scale does btw) But last month I finally went to my gym and had my measurements done as well as my body fat. (I had tried to do my own measurements when I first started but I know they weren't that accurate and I never really followed up on them). Well, I went back today after 4 weeks and my body fat is down to 17.7% - using the pinch caliper (from 20.6% last month) and I lost INCHES on every measurement. I have gone from a snug size 6 to a size 4 (just bought a few new things - different brands from different stores) So why can't I see progress in terms of inches? I think I must be body dysmorphic as I can't "see it" on myself unless the scale says it is so! A bigger obstacle for me is HOW do I figure out when to move up the rungs? I had been watching the scale (not moving) and taking more and more things OUT of my diet - till I was down to a KISS diet over the last two weeks - meat veggies and water - that was about it... To be honest I bailed on this woe on july 3rd and have been off for three days now. I was pissed off and frustrated (I know I should have waited to decide till AFTER my gym appt - hind site is 20/20) Now I see I wasn't stalled at all but I still don't know HOW to add things after induction (which obviously I have to start over again) I feel the cravings taking over again - after such a short period of time - and I don't like NOT BEING IN CONTROL!!! So now after I spent $100 on fruit and yogurt and Kashi and luna bars I want back in! But if my losses are to be in inches (which over time I will come to accept) how do I know how to move through the rungs ? Help - I'm a mess!

(ps - my weight is back up - DUH!!!)

[moniegail]

Re: Losing inches but not pounds

hello dimar, first of all congrats on the loss of inches and the loss of 3 lbs. i noticed you only have 10 lbs to lose according to your siggy. that could be why it is taking so long to see anything move on the scale. i've known people who have alot of weight to lose and area able to lose it pretty quickly and people who only want to lose a small amount take alot longer to get down to their goal.

the scale can be a very dangerous thing in the fight to lose weight, especially if a person weighs themself everyday. if you are a daily weigher, i would strongly suggest you set a specific day of the week and only weigh on that day or pick a specific day of the month, like on the 1st of the month to weigh yourself. i know for myself when i used to weigh myself everyday, that if the scale wasn't moving, instead of being motivated to work harder to lose, it would make me very down. so i made a promise to myself that i would only weigh myself once a week.

as far as falling off the wagon, just start back up on this woe, and don't beat yourself up about it. we have all fallen, so you're not alone. just get back at it. as far as moving through the rungs, go back to the book(DANDR) and reread what you need to to familiarize yourself with the steps to moving up the rungs.

hope this helped
good luck to you on your journey in this wonderful woe
oh yeah, and drink lots of water


moniegail

[dimar97]

Re: Losing inches but not pounds

OMG my DH calls me "the fish" I drink so much water now. Probably close to 100 oz a day. I always have a BIG bottle in my hand and one in the fridge waiting for me. I weigh in usually 2 times a week on Tuesday and Friday but not even that often anymore... I guess what I am asking RE the rungs is do I need to get measured every week? every two weeks? as the scale is not an indicator for me. They will think I am nuts at the gym but I guess that is why I pay for my membership!

[colirina]

Re: Losing inches but not pounds

I just try to weigh myself once a month. I started around the same time as you did and have lost 15 lbs. But for over a month the scale didn't move, then one day - I weighed myself and 6 lbs were gone.

[luvchoc]

Re: Losing inches but not pounds

You are small dont have much to lose your weight will drop much ,much slower then us with more to lose. YOUR DOING WONDERFUL!
My personal opinion is the inches are down , your in a smaller size it shows~ I wouldnt care if the weight didnt change!!!!! To be in smaller size is a goal I really could care less what the scale shows what everyone else sees is what matters to me.... I think I was in a size 4 when I was like in 7th grade! LOL

[Tack Candy]

Re: Losing inches but not pounds

Move up the rungs if you want more variety but do it slowly and monitor weight. I imagine it is difficult since you are losing slowly, but if you add at 5 carbs at a time you should be able to detect if you are gaining weight or getting cravings. Some say they lose weight faster when they added Rung One - veggies.

Since you don't have alot to loose perhaps you will drop weight more slowly, but learning what carbs your body can tolerate is invaluable. You will be able to live a life without worrying about food controling you.

Good Luck!
Candy