Women on average gain 5-8# (losing muscle and gaining fat) during the peri-menopause transition time. One…
When the scale doesn’t move
It can be frustrating when you are trying to lose some body fat and the scale doesn’t move and you are still doing all of the “right” things.
Remember, the scale isn’t everything. It’s only one tool. It’s a number that includes muscle, bone, water, necessary fat and excess fat…it’s only one measuring device.
A great way to know if you are on track with your goals is how your clothes fit. Are your jeans getting snug or falling off? Are you starting to spill over the sides of your bras, or are they getting too big or feeling just right?
If your clothes are fitting just fine, there’s no need to worry about the what the scale says.
Ask yourself “How do I feel?” Energetic, satisfied, not getting sick very often. Do you feel confident that your body is strong enough to do the things you want to do?
Maybe that your scale shows an extra few pounds really isn’t a big deal because you have energy, strength, are not getting sick and you can do the things you love to do.
How does your skin look? Skin is the biggest organ on our body and it can be telling. If I don’t get enough sleep for a few days in a row, I start to break out. Other skin conditions can be related to eating foods that your body doesn’t tolerate or hormonal imbalances. While your skin may not seem to have anything to do with the number on the scale, it can reflect relative level of health that you are trying to achieve.
NOW, if you still care, here are some possibilities as to why the scale is not moving:
- If you are lifting heavier weights, there will be inflammation
- If you are eating more carbs than you are used to (1 gram of carb retains 3 grams of water) you’ll retain water
- Medications can cause weight gain/stagnation
- If you’ve been “dieting” for a while than your body will release cortisol and cause water retention
- Not eating enough calories – your energy drops, your movement throughout the day decreases, your metabolism slows, your sleep may suffer.
- Not sleeping enough.
- Not being hydrated