Why am I losing inches but not weight?

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Key takeaways:

You might be losing inches but not weight because you’re gaining muscle while losing body fat.
It might also be that you’ve hit a weight loss plateau or you’re retaining water weight.
Don’t get discouraged. Losing inches is generally a sign of improved health and body composition.
Consider tracking body fat percentage, waist circumference, or other health metrics to get the full picture.

Weight loss can be a frustrating journey at times. Losing inches but having that progress not reflect on the scale is just one of those times.

Wondering, Why am I losing inches but not weight? There are a few possible explanations, including gaining muscle while losing fat and retaining water weight.

We’ll go over why you might notice a reduction in inches but not weight and how to overcome those hurdles to lose weight. We’ll also touch on why you shouldn’t worry about it too much — and what to focus on instead.

This article was reviewed by Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD.

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Why Am I Losing Inches but Not Weight?

There can be a few reasons you’re losing inches but not weight. Here’s what could be happening:

You’re losing body fat but gaining muscle
You’ve hit a weight loss plateau
You’re retaining water

Keep scrolling for detailed insight.

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You’re Losing Body Fat but Gaining Muscle

If you’ve been eating high-protein foods and strength training, you may have built muscle as you lost body fat. This is known as body recomposition — and it’s a good thing.

Why isn’t this reflected on the scale? Muscle is denser than fat, taking up less space in your body. In other words, a pound of muscle takes up less space (fewer inches!) than a pound of fat.

That means your weight may have stayed the same — or even increased slightly. But when losing fat, you might still notice your measurements decrease or that your clothes fit better.

This is one reason the number on the scale shouldn’t be your only focus. It doesn’t tell you much about your body composition — how much body fat and lean mass you have. It only tells you your body weight.

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You’ve Hit a Weight Loss Plateau

A weight loss plateau is when weight loss slows down or stops altogether. It’s very common. About 85 percent of people trying to lose weight hit a plateau at some point.

Weight loss plateaus can happen for a variety of reasons. One is that your body adapts to weight loss. Your resting metabolic rate (how many calories your body burns at rest) can decrease while hunger hormones increase.

This makes it harder to stay in a calorie deficit, when you consume fewer calories than your body needs to promote weight loss.

You might notice your progress on the scale stops going down. But maybe your waist and hip measurements drop as your body redistributes fat mass. Or perhaps your clothes continue to fit better.

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You’re Retaining Water

If you weigh yourself regularly, you probably know how much your weight can change day to day — or from morning to night. This isn’t always a reflection of fat loss and gain. Water retention can cause these fluctuations in weight.

Water retention can happen due to:

So, you might be losing fat — and, therefore, inches — but retaining water. This could mean fat loss is masked, and you don’t see a difference on the scale.

Or you might notice your weight goes up and down due to water retention throughout your menstrual cycle, even though inches are generally trending downward.

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Benefits of Losing Inches

There are plenty of benefits to losing inches, even if the scale says you’re not losing weight.

Here are just a few:

You’re losing body fat. Getting leaner and reducing excess body fat can reduce your risk of medical conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
You’re getting fitter and healthier. You might be improving your heart health, muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels — the list could go on.
You’re improving your quality of life. As you lose inches, you might notice you have more energy, sleep better, are more focused at work, and can keep up with your kids. You might experience less joint pain, back pain, and breathlessness.
You might be losing weight around your middle. If your waist circumference is going down, you could be losing belly fat (visceral fat). Holding excess weight around your middle (called central obesity) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality.

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What to Do if You’re Losing Inches but Not Weight

On the whole, losing inches is a good thing. Even if you’re not losing weight, losing inches is a sign you’re losing body fat and, therefore, improving your health.

So, generally, if you’re losing inches but not weight, you’ll want to keep doing what you’re doing.

Here are some specific tips for continuing with weight loss, depending on why you could be losing inches but not weight.

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If You’re Gaining Muscle

Losing body fat and gaining muscle mass is a great thing for your overall health, even if what you see on the scale is a little discouraging.

To help, consider monitoring your progress in ways that don’t involve measuring your body weight.

You can:

Take body measurements like waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio
Figure out your body fat percentage (how much body fat you have relative to your weight) with skin calipers
Track fitness with things like how much weight you lift at the gym, how quickly you run a 5K, or how far you cycle each week
Monitor how you feel, including your moods, sleep quality, and energy levels
Test health markers like your blood pressure, blood sugar, or cholesterol

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If You’ve Hit a Weight Loss Plateau

You can overcome a weight loss plateau by:

Making nutritional upgrades. Eat a balanced diet, but focus on eating more fruits and veggies, swapping simple carbs for whole grains, and adding more lean protein to your meals and snacks.
Add more movement to your routine. Increase how much cardio, resistance training, and general movement (like walking and standing) you do each week. Try lifting slightly heavier weights week by week to build muscle. Yes, this could be a reason you don’t see weight loss on the scale, but it can help promote fat loss.
Consider weight loss medication if lifestyle changes aren’t enough. Weight loss medications, like GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist) injections and oral medications, can regulate appetite and cravings to promote weight loss.

Remember, weight loss progress can happen quickly when you first start medication and then slow down. So, losing inches but not weight isn’t always a sign your medication isn’t working anymore.

Image Credit: :JLco – Julia Amaral/istockphoto.

If You’re Retaining Water

Avoid high-carb meals and foods with lots of sodium. Drink plenty of water to reduce water retention.

But more importantly, try not to worry about small fluctuations in your weight.

If you’re weighing yourself regularly, consider weighing yourself just once a week or even every two weeks instead of daily. Even then, know that factors like your menstrual cycle can affect the number on the scale, and losing inches is a sign of progress toward your weight loss goals.

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Why Am I Losing Inches but Not Weight? The Bottom Line

Losing inches but not weight can feel discouraging. But it’s generally a sign of progress, not a problem.

Here are the key takeaways to remember:

Losing inches but not weight could be down to muscle gain. Slight weight gain with inches lost might mean you’re gaining lean muscle or even bone density. You could also be retaining water or have hit a weight loss plateau.
Consider tracking progress in other ways. The scale doesn’t tell the full story when it comes to weight loss progress. You can track body fat percentage, waist circumference, or fitness improvements and strength gains.
Celebrate your progress. Let’s not forget that you’re losing inches. That means you’re probably losing body fat and improving your overall health and body composition. Don’t let the numbers on the scale overshadow these accomplishments.

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FAQs

Ahead, answers to frequently asked questions about losing inches vs. weight.

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Do you lose inches before pounds?

You might lose inches before pounds, but not always. It depends on the lifestyle changes you’re making. For example, if you’re eating lots of protein and strength training, you might gain muscle while losing fat. This means you might lose inches before pounds or lose inches while your weight stays the same.

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How long after losing inches will I lose weight?

How long it takes to lose weight after losing inches depends on your lifestyle. For instance, if you’re gaining muscle while losing body fat, your weight may not go down (but that’s not a bad thing) or it may go down more slowly. Diet, exercise, sleep, and metabolism also affect how quickly you lose weight.

Image Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / iStock.

Is losing inches better than losing weight?

Generally, losing inches is better than losing weight. Losing inches is a sign of losing body fat. If you’re losing inches off your waist and hips, you could be losing body fat from around your middle. This is a good thing because excess belly fat comes with higher health risks.

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This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.