Why It's OK to Lose Inches But Not Weight
By Genevieve Cunningham
When you finally start the process of losing weight, you want to see progress. And for most people, that means seeing the number on the scale in a downward spiral. It feels so good when your weight goes down a pound or two (or more!). You start to feel successful. You start to feel really motivated. But progress doesn't always look that way. Sometimes, we lose inches, and yet the scale stays exactly the same. What gives? Should we be discouraged? If you've found yourself in this situation, take a look at why losing inches is a perfectly OK way to measure your success.
Hello Muscle, Goodbye Fat!
Often times, before we ever see a drop on the scale, our bodies make a kind of switch. The more we work out and engage the muscles, the more dense the muscles become. And dense muscle weighs more than the fat that it replaces. The muscles takes up less space, but they're heavier when compared to fat in the same exact space. So even if the scale isn't moving, isn't it a good thing that muscle is replacing fat for a more sculpted look? Most would wholeheartedly agree.
You're Moving in the Right Direction
Whether the scale moves or not, losing inches is definitely a step in the right direction. It means the fat is burning. It means our body size is shrinking. And when we're on a quest to lose weight, this is really the ultimate goal -- to change our body composition for the better. If you're in this predicament, just go ahead and ignore the scale for a while and be glad that you're making progress at all.
Are You Concerned With the Number?
Here's something to consider before you get upset about the scale: Are you really working out only to hit a certain number? Or are you working out to meet a wide variety of goals? Many people exercise in order to drop a few pant sizes, eliminate pain, improve mobility, or simply feel better in their own skin. The scale doesn't actually have to budge in order to achieve these goals. While it's nice when the number on the scale begins to drop, it's not a necessity to claim progress in your quest for better health.
If you're trying to lose weight and better your health, don't let yourself be discouraged by the scale. If you're losing inches, you're making progress! Use the inches or the way you feel or other factors as a guide, and keep working toward better health and a better life for the future.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nashua, N.H.