[Sheriously]

So yesterday was my first ever week where I lost zero pounds (well actually 0.2 so I am not counting that). The inches were minimal too (only about 1 inch). However, my scale showed an increase in muscle (2%) and a decrease in body fat (2%) and also an increase in water...(1.5%). I am not the right side of the brain to understand how all of this works, so I hoped someone could chime in.

Honestly, I'm not working out yet, and I don't think I've been more active than usual...I can't understand why the increase in muscle? (I do know muscle is a fat burner and in the long term this is a good thing).

Oh I should add that NO it's not that time of the month...I am probably ovulating right now. LOL

I guess I just want some support on my first no pound loss since I started.

[Ruth Ann]

First off congrats on the great losses so far! You're doing great!

I've had several weeks where nothing has changed, it happens. Your body just needs some time to adjust on occasion I think. Just relax and it will happen (easier to type than do, I know!). Usually my slow weeks preceded a big week. Just make sure you're still getting all your packets, etc. and especially your water in.

The scales that measure body fat v. lean mass in my experience aren't terribly accurate and mostly good for watching trends. But if yours is showing a 2% increase in muscle and a 2% loss in fat that's a good trend. You didn't actually gain muscle necessarily it's proportionate. So (for instance) you now have 32% body fat and 68% lean body mass where as before you might have been 34% body fat and 66% lean body mass. Does that make sense?

And remember, lean body mass is everything that is not fat - so muscle, skin, blood, organs, etc., etc. Not necessarily just muscle.

Finally, you can lose fat and not necessarily have it show up in your measurements. We have a lot of internal fat around our organs, etc. and that is good to lose but doesn't always show up on the measuring tape.

Hope all that makes sense - haven't had much coffee yet!

Hang in there - you're doing great and I really think a 0 week once in awhile is nothing to worry about, they just happen as your body adapts.

[Sheriously]

Makes so much sense I'm printing it out to keep on my fridge for future no pounds lost weeks. Thanks Ruth Ann.

[Ruth Ann]

You're welcome! Sometimes just another perspective makes all the difference.

Wouldn't it be nice if the fat went away the way we want it to - like 7 pounds every week?

[Pattience]

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articl...e-works.html#b

How it works.