Shrinking but scale stuck?

[GeneTaco]

I haven't seen much movement on the scale, but people are saying I look slimmer. I'm on 1mg, taking half on Saturdays and the other half on Wednesdays.

I've always been pretty active, but also on the heavier side. My family jokes that I'm just 'big boned' like my dad. I lift weights, bike, hike, and walk, but I struggle with my diet. I have a major sweet tooth and sometimes binge eat (though it's better since starting the medication, thank goodness!).

I know I need to be more disciplined with my eating. I'm aware that body composition and scale weight are different, but I still get discouraged when I don't see the numbers go down.

Anyway, has anyone else experienced this? Feeling like they're getting smaller, but not seeing the scale budge much?

 

[Mike2002]

It happens! For me, the weight loss seems to come all at once. Nothing for a couple weeks, then *poof*!

 

[HappyTale]

If you're doing strength training, your scale might stall while your body transforms. I was consistently losing about a pound each week last summer when I was swimming for an hour weekly. When I switched to strength training for 1-2 hours weekly in the fall, my weight maintained, but scans showed a 2% drop in body fat over a couple months.

Swapping fat for muscle is a win in my book. You should focus on that victory!

About the sweets, this medication didn't squash my cravings as much as I thought. I still consume smaller portions, but I've heard another medication might be better at curbing sugar cravings.

 

[Keto_Sis]

It's probably your body changing shape. Since you're so active, maybe you're losing some fat and keeping or building muscle. Those changes usually happen before the scale goes down. You're doing great!

 

[HeartCake]

Body recomposition! It can feel weird if you've never gone through it. If you're lifting weights and eating enough protein during all of this, despite any other dietary issues, you're likely experiencing body recomposition. Muscle is heavier than fat, so as you get smaller but leaner, the scale might not change much.

 

[WellAF]

Totally! My little belly above my hips has shrunk, and I look more toned even if I haven't lost loads of weight yet.

 

[CellSet]

My waist is about an inch smaller, but the scale hasn't moved much.

 

[PepLady]

i slowed down around month 3, but my waist kept getting smaller. now in month 4 both are happening

 

[GeneTaco]

Yes!! Clothes fit looser, watch band, rings, etc., but the scale doesn’t show the major changes in clothing.

 

[WellAF]

Yes!! Clothes fit looser, watch band, rings, etc., but the scale doesn’t show the major changes in clothing.

That's awesome! Those non-scale victories (NSV) are sometimes even better than seeing the number on the scale drop.

 

[Keto_Sis]

I'm hoping for the same thing! I've been on 5mg for a month and haven't seen much change. I just went up to 7.5mg this week, so I'm hoping that gets the scale moving again! I want to get back to my weight before I had kids. Started at 240 and now at 185...

 

[Mike2002]

I'm hoping for the same thing! I've been on 5mg for a month and haven't seen much change. I just went up to 7.5mg this week, so I'm hoping that gets the scale moving again! I want to get back to my weight before I had kids. Started at 240 and now at 185...

Doesn’t it feel great to find something that actually works? Congrats on the weight loss!

 

[GeneTaco]

Thanks all for the replies! It's encouraging to hear others are experiencing the same thing. I'll try to focus on how my clothes fit and how I feel rather than obsessing over the scale.

 

[HeartCake]

Just remember to keep up with the protein to help build that muscle during recomposition! Protein is KEY!

 

[CareTBH]

The scale holding while people notice you shrinking is the classic recomposition pattern - clothes and measurements track it better than the number does.

 

[FastingBoss]

Scale staying flat while clothes shrink is composition change, not a stall.