Exercising and weight Loss

Does anybody find that they lose weight slower while exercising. I know muscle weighs more than fat, but I wanna see the scales move... Please give me any feedback that you have experienced.

It takes a lot of time and considerable effort to put on muscle. Probably what you are seeing is some water retention due to soreness. You might be eating more too. I find when I exercise hard with a long bike ride I feel hungrier. Track your intake and make sure you're not eating back your exercise calories.

Jen

I find it helpful for weight loss and maintenance.

I'm going to re-post something I posted several weeks ago in response to another question like this. This person had stalled out or slowed down losing and wanted to know if his body had already "adjusted" to the lower calorie level:

"You are doing everything right and shouldn't change a thing. Don't eat more or less; don't exercise more or less; just keep on the path you are following. No your body hasn't "adjusted" and no you haven't increased muscle mass much at this point. Especially not on the calories you report eating. Virtually impossible in one month to do that.

The number ONE reason for what you are experiencing is water retention due to increased activity. You've upped your exercise phenomenally in the last month and I bet anything your muscles are sore! Whenever we do this the body automatically goes into water retention mode and hangs onto every single ounce to cushion those inflamed muscles/tendons/ligaments.

I bet you $$ that even though the scale hasn't moved that you are noticing things fitting different. Whenever the scale stops you should be using the measuring tape or your tightest pair of pants. The change will be apparent in inches lost, not pounds on the scale

You are doing everything right for FAT loss - and the scale is not your friend in that battle. It's the worst indicator of fat loss. If you want to lose a quick 6-7 lbs. you could cut off your arm but would you be any less fat? Nope!

The one thing you don't mention is your carb intake. Are you staying below 40 grams of carb per day? Also, how much water do you typically drink per day? With your increased activity you need to be doing 100-120 oz. of water each day.

It's way, way too early to be getting discouraged. This is a lifetime commitment you've made and you'll need to be doing these things every single day forever. Do yourself a favor right now and unhook your happiness from the number on the bathroom scale. It is the WORST indicator of success and you don't want your mood dependent on whatever it reports on any particular day.

You can do this!

I gained 4 lbs when I started strength training. It was due to water retention, and it was temporary.

"I know muscle weighs more than fat, but I wanna see the scales move."

I try not to worry about the scale as much as I used to. You have to ask yourself, do you want to lose weight, or do you want to lose fat? Weight just describes your relationship with gravity, not your health or body composition. I'm obviously healthier at 166 than I was at 303, but I'm happy being at 166 with some muscle vs. 150 without any.