Has anyone else found this?

[catherine]

I keep reading on various threads how WISHers do more exercise to increase their weight loss. This makes sense to me. However at the beginning of January I increased my exercise regime. I also added weights to my upper body workout. However I have found that since I have increased the exercise my weight loss has decreased on average by 1 pound a week. I know I will be adding muscle, but does it really make this much difference? Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[luvmydogs]

In the begining of December, I began doing The Firm series of videos consistently--they incorporate weights along with cardio, and have gone from a size 8 to a 6 in two months. My scale has stayed between 123-125lbs. the whole time. Weights are a terrific addition to an exercise program, and you'll gain a lot of health benefits from it, but don't focus on the scale too much if you're lifting consistently--muscle weighs more than fat, but takes up less space. Measure your progress by how your clothes fit, the new tone in your muscles, and your additional strength! Good luck Catherine!

 

[Robinrs]

This is very common with weightlifting. What matters more is the way you look after weightloss than the NUMBER.

When I work out with weights I take into consideration that muscle weighs more and looks better than fat. I always say Fat goes down and muscle goes UP. If we lose without muscle we give the appearance of sag, especially when our skin doesn't have that snap back resilience of youth. Muscle fills in that sag, not to mention lean muscle burns fat even when you're doing nothing!

Use your measuring tape or your clothes, or better yet your mirror to gauge your improvements. They are the true measurement of how your workout is working your body. I lift weights five times a week and even though I've lost 15 pounds I've lost WAY more inches because of the weights.

It's an incredible combination, and the best part you will reap the rewards!

 

[Robinrs]

I tell you that KIM beats me to the punch! We must've posted at the same time! What she said too!!

 

[Octoberbride03]

ITA with the other posters.

I just started WATP about 3 weks ago and it has a little dumbbell section. As of today I've already lost 1/2 inch in my arms. But, i've only lost another 1.5 lbs since starting the tape. And remember it takes about 6 weeks to build 1 lb of muscle, so keep measuring yourself and use that in addition to your scale. You'll do great with both.


eta: weight workouts also build up bone density too, so you'll be less likely to break something if you keep it up.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I think accepting the idea of gaining weight to be thinner was one of the hardest things I ever had to deal with! But the fact of the matter is, muscle "weighs" more than fat....it's denser and takes up less space! So a slightly heavier, muscular body will be more COMPACT than one with more fat. An added bonus....muscle burns more calories at rest than fat does...so your body uses your food more efficiently!