Can you lose inches without losing weight?

A question I get all the time is: Can I lose inches without seeing much (or any) movement on the scale?”

YES, it is absolutely possible to lose inches without seeing the scale number change.

Everyone’s body drops the weight a little differently. You might lose inches before the scale even budges. You might also lose several pounds on the scale, but your waist size doesn’t change at all (at first).

In 2018 I had a client who lost 100 inches, but only dropped 15 pounds on the scale. Looking at her photos, you’d NEVER believe it. You’d have thought she lost at least 60 pounds!

I fully support weighing yourself if you’re trying to lose weight and get healthy. You are more than a number, yes, but the scale is still an important tool, because it’s instant feedback. It tells you if what you did yesterday worked, or didn’t work.

It’s important to weigh yourself daily, because if you don’t, how will you know what worked and what didn’t?

But, because the number on the scale is not the ONLY measure of success, I also support you in taking measurements, because again, you can lose body fat even if the number on the scale isn’t moving.

Take measurements, and also pay attention to how your clothes fit.

Take a before picture and progress pictures to compare. You might be shocked at how much different you look even if the scale’s barely moved.

Also pay attention to how you FEEL. 

Do you have more energy?

Do you wake up without achy joints?

Is your brain fog gone?

Can you pick up your grandkids without back pain?

And how about your bloodwork? Are your fasting blood sugars normal? Did your blood pressure lower?

If so, those are all wins in my book.

Use the scale for the instant feedback it provides, but don’t get obsessed with it. Don’t tie your worth as a human being to that number. That’s like tying your self-worth to the temperature reading in your car’s thermometer.

Your scale provides useful feedback to help guide you. That’s it.

If you’re dropping inches, something is happening. Celebrate that, instead of getting frustrated because the scale didn’t move, okay?


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