How does this happen?

[summerfun]

Can someone explain to me how you can be losing inches but not lbs..
In 2 weeks I lost 2 lbs.. but lost 12 inches overall. This week I havnt lost any. (didnt measure either) but I have been doing areobics everyday and lifting 3 times a week. I know people say that happens but I dont understand how. Does anyone know ?

[Fizgig]

Re: How does this happen?

Density, and probably some water retention.

Fat is 0.918 g/cc. Muscle is 1.049, and water is 1. The lower the density, the more space it will take up per pound.

Let's just play with the numbers, and say that you lost 2 lbs of fat per week, so four pounds down. But, you put on one pound of muscle and are retaining one pound of water. So, net scale loss is 2 pounds.

That four pounds of fat had a volume of 111 cubic inches, or a box almost 5 inches per side. The muscle and water in its place occupies 54 cubic inches. So, you're down a total of 57 cubic inches, or a box almost 4 inches per side. Spread that out over your whole body and your inches decrease.

So, to summarize, fat is fluffy and takes up a lot of space. Also, when you lose weight your body usually panics a little and holds onto water, which takes up less room but masks weight loss on the scale. Usually if you hang in, your body will relax and let go of the extra water, giving you that awesome "woosh" of 2 or 3 pounds gone overnight.

(Yeah, it's unlikely that someone can put on a whole pound of muscle in two weeks, but even if it's all water and no extra muscle, the numbers don't change a whole lot.)

Hope that made sense!

[summerfun]

Re: How does this happen?

Great way of explaining that. Yes it does make sense. Thank you

[michelley]

Re: How does this happen?

I agree! Love the explanation. Thanks fizgig, now I get it!

[Tregosy]

Re: How does this happen?

Fizgig, you rock! Summerfun, thats good inches loss, better than my stats and yet I have lost more weight...we are getting there though!!

[Georgiana]

Re: How does this happen?

You might want to read this:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6737-why-scales-can-lie.html