Trying to lose lbs or inches?

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I am on day 3 of Power 90 and I'm still enthusiastic about it. I took all my measurements and weighed myself before I started. My goal is to lose inches so I look fantastic at my wedding, but what the scale says is so important to me. The scale determines BMI and I want to have a healthy BMI. How do you balance gaining muscle and losing fat, even though the scale might not move?

 

[PrincessRhi]

I am on day 3 of Power 90 and I'm still enthusiastic about it. I took all my measurements and weighed myself before I started. My goal is to lose inches so I look fantastic at my wedding, but what the scale says is so important to me. The scale determines BMI and I want to have a healthy BMI. How do you balance gaining muscle and losing fat, even though the scale might not move?

I'm sure you've heard it before: muscle is heavier than fat. As long as the inches are coming off and I'm toning up, that is a good mark for me.

Have you had your body fat percentage measured? It sounds like that might be a good way for you to measure your success. BMI is limiting because it only takes weight and height into consideration and not things like bone or muscle weight. If you're working out while you're losing weight, using just a BMI measure could falsely lead you to think you're not having any success.

 

[JMD]

BMI is completely inaccurate using only a scale. Use your measurements and weight as a guideline, but let the mirror be the ultimate judge.

 

[phillyteamhater]

I was how you were I started eating healthy and working out 1 year ago, I have since lost 40 lbs, I am 5 lbs short of my goal weight by my wedding in 5 months, however I am not sure I am going to lose that last 5lbs the way my frame has changed/rearranged itself. I would say go by inches or pants size I went from a 14 down to where I need a belt with a 6, which makes me a lot less conscious of worrying about that last 5 lbs, and I can see the changes of being more "muscular and toned" and not flabby. I am trying to change up my workouts to a more cardio base to see if I can actually lose it, but I'm not counting on anything, I know I am at a healthy weight right now, and my endurance went from not being able to run a lap without being winded to doing a 10 min mile(which isn't that great but it's a big improvement for me). I can't believe I actually stuck to my diet and exercise program, although I don't consider it that anymore, it's a lifestyle change I have made to make my overall health better and not just for a cosmetic reason(although that is a nice reward) All I can stay is stick with it and don't let the scale be the ultimate judge of how you feel or think you look. BMI is so overrated and unscientific, in all my exercise science classes we learned the formula but the professors always recommended using % fat as the best indicator for lean mass/fat mass because BMI takes none of that into account. Hope I could help some, I have a background in exercise science and I am an athletic trainer and finally decided to practice what I preach without doing any kind of miracle workout or diet and my DF has stuck with me and also lost 70 lbs as well. If you would have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[FireDancer]

I think people pay way too much attention to the number on the scale. It really is only one part of the picture. Replacing 10 pounds of fat with 5 pounds of muscle is a good thing even if the scale only shows a 5 pound weight loss. Inches are much more important than pounds but body composition is really the most important number. Know you body fat % but keep in mind the devices you have at home to measure it is not all that accurate. If you know someone who knows how to properly use skin calipers they are a better tool.