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I have been lifting weights for several weeks. My clothes are looser, so I seem to be losing inches, but the number on the scale is not moving. What's up?

Last Updated: May 28, 2009

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Good for you for starting a weight lifting program. Don't forget to include some cardio as well, such as walking, running, or swimming. The first thing to remember is that weight loss is dictated by consuming fewer calories than you burn. You may not experience as much weight loss as you expect when you start exercising because you are developing lean muscle tissue. Lean muscle weighs more than fat since it contains more water. Even though muscle weighs more, it takes up less space and is firmer than fat, so you look better even if your weight doesn't drop. That is why measuring your waist, hips, thighs, chest, and even upper arms periodically to see the inches decrease can be more reinforcing than weighing alone.

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