It's possible to gain muscle and reduce body fat without actually seeing a change in your weight. This happens when you lose body fat while gaining muscle. Your weight may stay the same, even as you lose inches, a sign that you're moving in the right direction.
You're losing fat while gaining muscle. Muscle is denser than fat and takes us less space on the body, so it looks as though you've lost weight despite no scale changes. If you want those scale changes, you'll probably have to make changes in your diet. Are you watching what you eat or counting calories?
It is not uncommon for individuals to experience weight loss without a significant change in their appearance. This phenomenon can occur due to several factors, including the distribution of weight loss throughout the body, changes in muscle mass and fat percentage, and individual variations in body composition.
Since subcutaneous fat is not the only fat you are losing (there's also visceral fat plus some muscle, as well as water) you won't see big changes in your measurements right away, even if the number on the scale is going down.
Another factor to consider is your body type and where you tend to hold weight on your body. If your body tends to lose fat in areas that seem less noticeable first, it may take longer for your weight loss to become obvious than the same loss on someone with a different body type.
When people decide to lose weight, they often have more than 10 pounds they'd ideally like to lose. But no matter your final goal, the impact of a small weight loss like 10 pounds is most definitely noticeable — and highly beneficial.
This happens when you lose body fat while gaining muscle. Your weight may stay the same, even as you lose inches, a sign that you're moving in the right direction. Knowing the difference between losing weight and losing body fat may influence how you assess your progress.
The rule of thumb, Fernstrom says, is that losing 8 to 10 pounds translates to going down one size. Still, if you lose "up to 15 pounds, you may be OK in your old size," she says. But putting off buying new clothes until you really need them doesn't work for everyone.
Muscle weighs more than body fat
This means that muscle and fat may look the same on the scale, but they'll look different on your body. While your clothes may feel looser, the scale may tell you otherwise. Count this as a win.
Summary. Losing 10 pounds may take 5–10 weeks or more. This equates to a calorie deficit of around 500 calories per day. While diet is the most important factor in losing weight, people can make other lifestyle adjustments to help them reach their goals.
A planned cheat day can sometimes shock your body into breaking through the plateau and going back to weight loss mode. It can also give you a mental break from being so careful with what you eat. Finally, a cheat meal gives you the chance to eat some of the high-calorie treats that may have been scarce recently.
“Muscle tissue is denser than fat tissue, so it takes up less space,” says Barron. “This is exactly why your weight may not change, but your clothes are feeling looser.” This is one of those situations where you should keep doing exactly what you're doing.
Unhealthy eating is the biggest driver of big bellies. Too many starchy carbohydrates and bad fats are a recipe for that midsection to expand. Instead, get plenty of veggies, choose lean proteins, and stay away from fats from red meats. Choose healthier fats in things like fish, nuts, and avocados.
Water weight is not usually a cause for concern, but it can be uncomfortable and recurring. Reducing salt and carbohydrate intake, keeping hydrated, and frequently exercising are all good ways to lose water weight and prevent it from returning.
Aim to weigh yourself on the same day, at the same time and in the same environment each week – for example, first thing every Friday morning when you're getting ready to take a shower, after you've gone to the bathroom, but before you've drunk or eaten anything.
Your Body Is Extra Prepared for Your Second Try
If you've lost weight in the past by exercising or changing your diet and try to use those strategies again to lose weight, your body ndash; mainly hormones and metabolism – will adjust to prevent similar damage and you'll see fewer weight loss results.