How many pounds to lose an inch?

  • Hi guys! I'm new here, so if this has already been discussed please point me in the right direction!

    Does anyone know how many pounds you generally lose, to lose an inch? I know this would be different for everyone, but I'm curious. I tried searching online and didn't really find anything. My biggest goal is to lose 4 inches from my waist and hips (each). My exercise plan is to do cardio 1 hr, 4-5x week, and 10 lb weights for 10 minutes 3x week, along with healthy eating.

    What has been everyone's experience? What is your pounds-to-inches ratio? Do you have any tips for losing inches quickly? I don't mind if my weight comes off more slowly, but I need to fit into my clothes again!! :-)

    Thanks!
  • I'm the same height as you. I don't know what kind of build you have; I'm pretty much an hourglass. I've lost 45 pounds and that amounted to 6" off my waist. I would lose about an inch every 5-6 weeks; the last inch took 10 weeks to lose. Most of my fat is in my lower gut and thighs at this point. I wish I had taken my hip measurements before I started losing because I have no idea how much I've lost from there.
  • Thank you for your reply!! I'm completely ruler shaped, so I'm assuming my inches will come off pretty slowly. Oh well. :-P



  • Um. I lost about 20 lbs before losing an inch, so I'd say it depends a lot on your shape, height, genetics, etc
  • so, to keep things in perspective...im not sure the total inches ive lost off my waist and hips specifically, but i can tell you ive lost almost 40 inches total all over my body (my center does the measuring, not me, or id have more precise numbers) and ive only lost 15 pounds....EVERYONE is different!
  • Losing inches is the most frustrating part for me. I've lost 34lbs and only a couple of inches here and there.

    I don't understand this inch thing. People say they've lost "a total of 16inches!" or "20inches all over!" I mean, what the heck does that mean anyway? I could tell you that I've lost "11 inches!!!" which is the truth but it sounds more amazing than it actually is because in fact I've only lost 3 inches from my waist, and only 1/2 inch of fat around my knee. Why do we add up all these inches lost anyway?
  • I agree with mkroyer, everyone is different.

    And for ME, I am equally excited if I have lost a half inch off one place or 5. Making progress makes me happy
  • Hi there! I'm not sure about INCHES cause people are pretty variable, but at your height and weight, I'm pretty confident that every 12 lbs or so would mean down a dress size. For what it's worth!!!

    Kira
  • Quote: Hi there! I'm not sure about INCHES cause people are pretty variable, but at your height and weight, I'm pretty confident that every 12 lbs or so would mean down a dress size. For what it's worth!!!

    Kira
    Good point. Also weight tends to come off of different parts of the body at different rates. It's common in women to lose weight off the hips/waist last.
  • Quote: Good point. Also weight tends to come off of different parts of the body at different rates. It's common in women to lose weight off the hips/waist last.
    Noooooo don't say that

    That's where I carry my extra weight, everywhere else is okay. Ah well, hopefully I can lose in those stubborn places
  • I have lost 8 pounds but 4 inches off my chest and 3 inches off my hips so I lose in inches not on the scale. Im thinking about taking a hammer to the scale it doesnt mean much its how you feel and look that counts. Funny thing I lost all those inches on chest and hips but not anything on my waist. I have lost 8 pounds just since exercing before that I lost with just diet and I didnt measure before hand but I have to say it takes a good 20-25lbs for me to drop one dress size cause I distribute my weight evenly.
  • It depends... I started exercising this week and lost about 5" but the scale didn't move. It all depends on your build and muscle composition I think.
  • i can loose inches before i loose lbs <_<; i think its also a little reliant on what exercises you do. I weight train 3 x a week with 8-15lbs for 40 mins eeach time. 2 cardios 1 ab workout and 1 flexibility training
  • Quote: Noooooo don't say that

    That's where I carry my extra weight, everywhere else is okay. Ah well, hopefully I can lose in those stubborn places
    I lose weight from my waist first, which is annoying 'cos I'd really like my thighs to disappear. So don't worry, it's different for everyone.