I work out intensively, my body is shrinking but I don't loose weight, why?

Question

Is it normal? I can see my body changing after each workout (at least one hour out of which 45 minutes of cardio) but when I et on scale it's the same weight! How can I break this?

Answer 1

Yes, it is normal.

Keep going and have patience…this will break all on its own…

The point is not to lose weight but to get in shape, get thinner with some muscle definition, stronger and full of energy with a high metabolism so you can eat whatever you want without getting fatter.

If your body is shrinking, then you’re doing great, you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to do and even more.

In fact, what you’re doing is really quite amazing…you are losing fat mass as you are gaining muscle mass, which is why you get thinner but your weight does not change since muscle mass (for the same weight) takes three times less space than fat mass (or muscle mass weigh three times more than fat mass, however you want to look at it…).

Usually, people gain muscle mass by exercising, doing weight training and eating a lot, especially proteins. In your case, you are gaining muscle mass (because you workout) but you do not eat a lot (because you have some fat reserve to lose), so it is quite an accomplishment…just keep doing whatever you’re doing and once you do not have excess fat reserve to get rid of, then everything will get easier.

You can gain a few pounds of muscle mass when you start exercising in just a few weeks. It is very frustrating for people trying to lose weight (fat reserve) by exercising and then they realize they’re actually gaining weight (muscle mass) so very often, they just give up without realizing they were going in the right direction…

Forget about losing weight (fat reserve), just focus on gaining as much muscle weight as you can by exercising, getting in shape and doing weight training. Forget the scale for a while and just use a measuring tape.

Each pound of muscle mass you’re gaining will need about 30 calories/day to just be there (even if you don’t use it). One pound of fat just need 2 calories/day…
If you get in shape and gain 4 pounds of muscle, then you will need 120 calories extra, every day, and about 3,600 calories/month, just for those 4 pounds of muscle to be there. Every pound of fat is about 3,500 calories…so every month, those 4 pounds of muscle will just obliterate that one pound of fat…without you having to do anything…

Now, you will need to keep exercising to maintain your muscle mass (use it or lose it) and all those calories will be just what you will be able to eat more and not get fatter.

When you get as thin as you feel comfortable, keep exercising and start eating more so you maintain your muscle mass and high metabolism.

I wish you the best.

Answer 2

You know, I hate the beginning of the summer. I train all winter trying to put ON weight (mass) and then come May, I try to cut by doing more reps.

There's a certain point there where I actually GAIN weight. Keep in mind this is what I've tried to do all winter.

My theory is that it's because of the shock to the system. Most of the people I've seen that have posted here have written the same thing: muscle weighs more than fat. They're right: I'm not trying to dispute that.

Have you recently undergone a training regimen alteration? If so, that could be the cause. "Shocking the system" basically means that you've come to a plateau using your usual training, and now that you've changed it, your muscles and body are responding. It's normal, and will run its course until you plateau and change again.

Don't worry, each time you will achieve positive results!

Answer 3

Not really enough details about your diet, workout, etc. You say you are doing 45 minutes of cardio in an hour of training, so doesn't really sound as if you're making substantial session to session gains in muscle mass. And what type of changes are you observing? What type of cardio? What type of weight training? Also, we don't know your starting weight, body fat, etc. Anyway, fat is less dense than muscle. So, it frequently happens in weight/resistance training that people drop body fat while gaining muscle and can actually maintain or even gain weight. Most mainstream hype excludes muscle mass from the discussion, which renders the discussion incomplete at best. Height and weight charts, body mass index, etc., ignore the very significant differences between fat and muscle and typically treat all body weight above a certain amount as fat---the persons who promulgate those standards obviously haven't packed on any muscle mass. Another benefit to muscle tissue is that it has a higher metabolic rate than fatty tissue. Overall: be more concerned about body fat percentages and distribution and muscle mass than weight alone. Of course, consult a professional. Good luck.

Answer 4

Yup its normal. You're turning the fat into muscle, so you're not actually losing weight but you see a difference because your muscles are more toned and tightening. If you see a nutrionist he/she can help you come up with a meal guide and that enable you to count the calorie intake, so you could see your weight drop on the scale.
It is my belief that the scale doesn't mean much. Its just a number. If you're eatting healthy and exercising then your body would reflect how great you look.
Anyways, just remember not to bulk up or else you're going to add more weight on the scale because you're gaining muscle weight.

Answer 5

Stop stepping on the scale.

Muscle weighs more than fat.

Listen to your tape measure. As you lose weight your body will change, but it will go through a period where you might even seem to gain weight.

Don't worry about it, it's normal.

Answer 6

Muscle is heaver than fat so when you replace the fat with muscle your weight doesn't just drop. Weight also isn't the only source gaging of your fitness level, body mass index is much better for determining what shape you are in, it compares the amount of fat vs. the amount of muscle on your body.

Here's a link to a BMI calculator: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmi-m.htm

Don't worry to much about your weight, if you look good you look good.

Answer 7

Muscle weighs more than fat of the same volume, so while you are getting smaller, your weight isn't changing. You are getting in much better shape and health though--good for you!

Eventually you will start losing weight too.

Answer 8

It's muscle.
And by the way, throw the scale away. If you are losing weight and exercising you should never rely on the scale everyday. You should do it every two weeks.
By the way, muscle weighs more than fat.

Answer 9

perhaps you are losing inches. don't give up because that usually happens in the early parts of a weight loss, but normally you begin to lose weight soon after if you continue. Also check your caloric intake.

Answer 10

you're probably holding a lot of water, or your muscles are just getting stronger and gaining muscle weight.

try seeing a proffessional trainer, or check out web md