Should I go by the number on the scale when tracking my progress with working out?

[Beckz0811]

Hi, I'm not very knowledgeable about fitness and being in shape, if someone can help. When i started working out i weighed 130 and had a very low active level ( legit sitting for 12 hours straight studying for a licensing exam for months) Well its been approximately 2 months of approx 5x a week working out ( cardio and light weight training) watching my diet fairly well (not perfectly) and what I'm confused about is that my weight hasn't budged much. I'm weighing about 127-128 range and the amount of work I'm putting in I'm just really confused how my body only weighs slightly less. I do notice a difference in the shape of my body flatter tummy tighter thighs less flabby arms, but I feel like I'm doing something wrong, I want to be in the 115 range for my height of 4ft 11 but it seems the only way I can drop weight is by eating like a bird but i can't only eat seeds and it never lasts long. Can anyone who is knowledgable about fitness help me, should I be less focused on the number on the scale?

[Anonymous]

Focus on the shape of your body, not the number on the scale. Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you replace the fat on your body with muscle, then you might see an increase in the number of pounds you weigh.

Intense dieting also won't change anything. If you deprive your body of food and the proper amount of calories then it will go into "starvation mode", which means your body will store every little bit of fat (thinking that it has no idea when it will get another meal), so eating only seeds will not help you lose weight at all.

Plus, if you are active and eating right and living a healthy lifestyle, then your current weight is totally fine. Keep doing what you're doing since you are noticing the results on your body.

[Beckz0811]

Thank you for your reply! I figured something was wrong with the way I was determining my progress, and I don't know much about fitness so I wanted to get good advice. Yea intense dieting never works and I want to do it the right way. So glad I asked this question.

[Fashionistax03]

Muscle weighs more than fat. Keep eating healthy, 6 small meals a day. If you weigh yourself do it right when you wake in the morning, it's most accurate. And keep working out, sometimes it takes a while. Diet has a lot to do with working out. Also drink a lot of water through out the day

[Beckz0811]

I have trouble with the 6 small meals a day thing but I need to start at least making efforts to prepare it. You're right!

[Fashionistax03]

By 6 small meals I mean like eat a good breakfast like something like oatmeal then eat a snack in between breakfast and lunch like a banana and then eat a good lunch like a salad or sandwich then eat another snack in between lunch and dinner such as yogurt then eat dinner chicken is always good or salmon and something on the side like spinach or Brussels sprouts and then eat another snack in between dinner and the time you go to bed plain popcorn is good, fruit is always the best choice in my opinion (especially if you have a sweet tooth) eat a lot of protein it will keep you full longer and by drinking a lot of water you'll not feel as hungry.

[Fashionistax03]

I also wouldn't focus on the number in scale as long as your happy with the results and are noticing changes in your body. I use to weigh 113 pounds before I started to workout and I'm 5'5 once I started to build a little muscle I gained a lot of weight but have never looked healthier.

[Beckz0811]

Yea I definitely don't do that, Im gonna start with this though you're right if you are always being conscious of eating a meal it stops those binges of bad food choices which I'm guilty of. Thank you!! :)

[enis_Penvy]

You should take measurements of your body that will help track progress.
Also you should notice clothes fitting loser after two months.
The issue is muscle weighs more than fat so if you are working out you may weigh the same but your shape is better - is that what is going on?

[Beckz0811]

Thanks for your reply! Yes I notice clothes fit better and I look better generally its just the number on the scale that's been confusing me, I guess I should try the measuring thing because I feel like I'm doing something wrong when I don't see the number going down

[enis_Penvy]

I admit it can be confusing - you eat nothing but salad and broccoli all week then you weigh and it's like "I gained a pound WTF?". But muscle gain will do that, but focus more on your shape.

[Beckz0811]

Yea exactly!! And then I get discouraged but I don't want to be tricked by the scale if I'm actually doing the right thing. So weird lol I will focus on body shape from now on! I do notice a fitter body, do you have any advice in dropping those 10 lbs that won't budge?

[enis_Penvy]

Actually no... sorry. That's the hardest part. Those last ten-fifteen are difficult to lose. I'm in the same boat. Weigh 200 and my goal is 190... I know I'm focusing much more on cardio and trying to burn that off

[Beckz0811]

Yea those last 10 are really the true test of dedication, def glad i posted this question though, gonna go buy a measuring tape now :) thanks!!

[SoloStarGazer]

I would not go by a scale, muscle weighs more then fat and as your body turns one into the other, your weight will fluctuate, and menstrual cycles can cause us to fluctuate in weight as well.

[Beckz0811]

Menstrual cycles sure do jeez!! I'm putting my scale in the closet lolll