Question:
Scales From Hell!

I am nearly 11 months out and have started back at the local gym. I had lost nearly 150 pounds and had a lot of lose skin. So I decided to go back with my first love....the gym. I am starting to tone - but - now the numbers on the scale are starting to creep up and it's doing me a bad number mentally. The scales we own for now has always given you a different reading every time you stand on the darn things. By the scale I have gone from 228 to 240 but now get this.....I can get into a womans size 14 pants. (reason I know is I was picking with the wife) lol My question being should I freak out over the number increase? Robert    — RobertMiller (posted on March 17, 2006)

March 17, 2006
Robert , Its true you are shaping up and gaining muscle from the gym .. but my oppion is yes .. watch those lbs and act on it .. I am 3 years out and let too many lbs slide by ..now I am looking at a 30 lb gain and its back to basics .. dont make excuses .. you worked too darn hard to lose that weight ..master it again with your hard fought for tool and stay on top of it act NOW ! Dont wait another day hugs ,and good luck
   — ruthie

March 17, 2006
While continuing to work out & eat healthy, remember that muscle weighs more than fat. I really think that because of the dress size 14, you are gaining muscle weight and you'll be fine. Good luck, Judy
   — juju524

March 17, 2006
Hey Robert, Don't forget muscle weighs more than fat. It is possible that as you are building and toning you are gaining muscle mass. Talk to your health care provider if possible & continue to watch your diet. Don't compensate by saying that now that you are working out more you can eat more or differently. Kenya
   — KenyaE

March 17, 2006
Don't freak out. Let it be a warning. Yes muscle weight more. However don't use it as an excuse. 30 Lbs is a high number to gain as a substitute for muscle weight. You either use the scale provide it at the gym or the scale at home not both. Use the same scale and weight yourself once a week in the morning when you wake up at the same time the same day every week. Make it a commitment and a weekly routine. Never weight yourself after a work out. Go back to basic with your eating habits. No eating and drinking at the same time. No soda at all. And don't forget your protein drinks or bars. Also make sure you still take your daily vitamins as required by your physician. Once you follow your Dr and nutritionist advise and you are back on track, you'll be fine. I hope I am able to help. Good luck to you in your new journey Dani
   — Dani96

March 17, 2006
http://www.onemorebite-weightloss.com/muscle-to-fat.html Another source says: Myth #2: Muscle weighs more than fat This common myth has found its way into fitness centers across North America. Body weight is comprised of muscle, fat, bones, organs, connective tissue and water. Before reading on, think about this; what weighs more, 10 lbs of lead or 10 lbs of feathers? Reality: Muscle does not weight more than fat. Ten pounds of muscle weighs the same as 10 pounds of fat. The misunderstanding comes from the fact that muscle takes less volume than the same weight in fat. In other words, ten pounds of muscle is denser and actually looks smaller than 10 pounds of fat. Also, muscle is more metabolically active than fat, so the more muscle you have, the greater the number of calories you burn at rest.
   — j_coulter

March 18, 2006
My daughter, who had wls, looks like she weighs 105 lbs, however, due to muscle, weighs 135lbs. My grandson, who joined the navy has about a 28" waist weighs 185. Muscle does weigh more on a well toned body. I remember working with a girl who was in the military. She looked like she weighed 110, when in reality, she weighed 149 lbs. Use measurements, not weight. I've read many times of people not losing lbs at times, but they measured and they lost inches and had to buy smaller clothing.
   — geneswife

March 18, 2006
Robert, first of all...find a reliable scale. Most gyms have one, the one at my gym is what I currently use as my 'official' scale. With strength training you will gain muscle mass (or weight) BUT you should also be losing fat at the same pace or more. While a little gain can be explained in this way, a 12lb gain wouldn't. When you begin a workout routine, your body will also increase it's appetite to compensate, do you think that this may be an issue? Then again, your scales may be messing with you more than you know. Do your own (not your wifes, lol) clothes fit the same or are they feeling too small? If you don't have a reliable scale (or access to one) take measurements. Good luck.
   — RebeccaP

March 18, 2006
Now Rebecca those 14's of the wifes looked good on me - I mean heck I made them things scream out with new meaning...lol In my own clothing *G* - I have gone from a size 60 pants to a 36. My shirts I went from a size 4x to a large and can get into a med. So yes I am decreasing in size - clothing size, but I am getting tighter across my chest, arms thighs, back...to name a few places due to working out...feel great to wear smaller sizes. I have never in my life wore a 36 until now....
   — RobertMiller