Weight loss by the numbers
Last month, when I signed up for my PUSH.tv subscription, I also measured myself in addition to my daily weigh-in. I’m pretty lazy about measurements, just because they take a little longer and require more personal effort than stepping on the scale, but pretty much all fitness professionals agree that measurements (and how clothes fit, which is obviously related) are a better indicator of fat loss than the scale.
Here, for your comparative pleasure (and my record-keeping), are the numbers thus far:
| Measurement | May 1, 2007 | June 1, 2007 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waist (in inches) | 29.5 | 30 | +.5 |
| Hips (top, in inches) | 34.5 | 36 | +1.5 |
| Butt (in inches) | 40.5 | 40 | -.5 |
| Thigh (one, in inches) | 24 | 23.5 | -.5 |
| Calf (one, in inches) | 14.25 | 14.75 | +.5 |
| Bicep (one, in inches) | 11 | 10 | -1 |
| Chest (in inches) | 31 | 32 | +1 |
| Bust (in inches) | 36.5 | 36 | -.5 |
| Body fat | 31% | 30% | -1% |
| Weight | 153.8 pounds | 146.6 pounds | -7.2 pounds |
Hey, maybe that’s why I don’t like measuring! That was slightly depressing. I’m not sure what to make of it, just because my weight and body fat is going down, but a good number of my measurements are going up. (Of course, it may just mean that my self-measurement techniques are screwy, too.) I guess another month will be enlightening… especially since that month will contain another metric century on the bike, and lots of hard mountain biking.
You could be gaining muscle in those places. Muscle is supposed to be smaller than fat, though.
The same thing is happening to me. I swear I am seeing no significant difference in my measurements at all, but my weight and body fat are down and according to photographs, I am noticeably smaller. (I’m even wearing smaller clothes, but the tape measure says the same thing. Huh?)
Thanks for linking to me, by the way! I returned the favor.
My friend Tricia pointed out that it could have something to do with my menstrual cycle (I’m on three-month birth control, so it’s not consistent month-to-month).
In any case, the bodybugg trainer suggested measuring every two weeks, so I think that might give me a more accurate picture (or frustrate me twice as often!).
Darned tape measures!