Hi! My question is can someone please explain to me how you can lose inches and not any pounds. I know this seems like a dumb question but I really do not get it. Thanks!! Alicia

Hi Alicia,

It does seem confusing, doesn't it?

What happens is that if you gain muscle at the same time you lose fat, you will shrink while weighing the same - or even a touch more.

The thing is that muscle weighs more than fat. Have a look at the picture here:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...usand+and+words

When we start low carbing, many of us have been eating insufficient protein, and simply eating an adequate protein diet, causes some muscle growth. And of course, many of us start or increase our exercising at the same time. It's amazingly common to lose inches, but not pounds. It's the reason we tell folk to measure as well as weigh.

All the best to you, Alicia.

Rosebud

Rosebud! Thanks for the post! That picture helps explain my question. So I guess I will get the tape measure out- or is it to late to start now. Thanks again that really helped. Alicia

I've been low-carbing for a month and lost 9# the first 2 weeks and none the last two (was traveling some). I am a little discouraged but realize that changing my eating & beginning an exercise program (Curves 5x weekly) is probably the reason the weight isn't coming off with the inches. Needed to hear it from someone else, though. Those of you on Atkins Induction let me know how you are doing.

Hi Blossom,

You are doing very, very well. 9 pounds is a great Induction loss.

Frustrating as it is, it is extremely common for the body to pause for a few weeks after an initial big loss. The shrunken fat cells hang onto extra water for a while to "reassure" themselves you are not going to starve them forever. Once they realise there is food coming in, they will relinquish some of that water and you will begin losing again.

Did you know that the usual Induction loss is 10% of the weight you wish to lose, followed by a further 5 to 10% a month after that? So you are ahead.

Remember that a true stall is 4 to 6 weeks of no pounds OR inches lost.

Just keep following your plan, and soon some more weight will leave.

Cheers.

Rosebud