No change on scale...progress???

[Stacy]

I'm getting a bit discouraged. I've been journalling and following a clean diet for about 2 months now. I've also taken a Cathe hiatus and have implemented a new training regimen to shock the system. I didnt take measurements and have never had my body fat tested. I tend to judge my progress more by how my clothing fits, using the scale to "keep me honest". (I tend to "allow" myself to snack if I dont know what I weigh...more of a psychological thing). Anyway, in 2 months, the scale has gone down only 0.4 lbs. If I look close enough I believe that my thighs are a bit less jiggly, but I really wouldve thought that based on the 0.5-1.0 lbs lost a week theory/goal that I would be seeing a much smaller number on the scale by now. My clothes seem to fit about the same....hard to tell always b/c I wear my clothes loose in the thighs, my trouble area.

Is there anyone out there who has really lowered their body fat percentage and increased your lean body mass but had relatively little change on the scale????

Thanks for your input!

Stacy

 

[Francine]

Body measurements!

Hi Stacy,
Hang in there and don't get discouraged! Just start over, take your measurements and re-evaluate your training program! You already have the commitment of eating clean in tact(way to go) You may just have to fine tune what you are already doing(through tracking your intensity more closely during cardio- ask yourself-are you working hard enough? are you allowing yourself to recover if you are interval training before you kick it back up?are you in YOUR heart rate zone?)also for the weights (no pain no gain is long gone it's all about progressive training and challenging yourself when it gets easier(know when to up the anty or not) some people do too much to soon-ask yourself are you challenging with the weights you selected? are the reps , sets and recovery period proper for your needs(the last few reps are hard to do but doable with good form) or possibly adjusting your weight poundage on just certain exercises or you may have to revamp your existing program totally(it may not be working for you)!

As for your initial request(sorry went off base here cause the right training program is soo crucial for an individual's needs and your goals) My weight is always the same and through different training cycles I go through I reshape my body totally and my weight is always in the same ball park! It's my bodyfat levels and measurements that go up or down! I firmly believe in the TALE OF THE TAPE and the feel of my clothes! It is also good to take pics in a bikini (before and afters)and you will notice your body composition changing!

HTH

 

[Stacy]

RE: Body measurements!

Thanks for your response Francine. I definitely feel I'm using a challenging weight. I really enjoy weight lifting and dont mind pushing myself. One problem I do have that may be contributing to my lack of progress is a bad knee which really limits my cardio significantly. I can manage 30 minute intervals on the recumbent bike which I do 2-3 times per week. I'd like to incorporate more, but pain and also a very strange work schedule often limits this. I did step aerobics a few weeks ago and my knee was killing me for days. I'm thinking about going back and lowering my step to 4 inches, but I'm worried that won't be intense enough. (I've already been to the doctor and had an MRI of my knee...nothing major wrong). Also my lower body is horrible! Squats and lunges give me results, but my doc doesnt advise them. I, of course, did S&H legs the other day and couldnt walk without a limp for 3 days. I've been trying to get creative with ankle weight workouts, but they never seem intense enough. Any ideas???

Thanks again,

Stacy

 

[ColleenM]

RE: Body measurements!

Personally I think the scale is the least accurate way to measure progress, especially if you are doing strength training. When I started BFL, the first 4-6 weeks I lost and gained the same pound BUT my measurements dropped 1-2" in waist, abdomen and hips. I took a hiatus (aka hurt and then lazy <G>) over the holidays and restarted. So far by week 5, again I've only lost 2 lbs but I've lost 1-2" in waist, hips and abdomen.

Colleen