10lb heavier but clothes fit better?

[Anonymous]

Ok, this is truly bizarre.

I gained 20lb in the past year after suffering a loss and a subsequent bout of lack of motivation. I’ve been working out steadily for about a month and finally seeing some changes in my body, plus I’m down 10lb. I pulled out some old summer clothes and tried them on before packing them away for an upcoming vacation and was surprised to see they fit better than they did last summer when I weighed 10lb less. How is this even possible?

[Anonymous]

People who work out look better. Even if you're 10 lbs heavier than a year ago, if you've been working out it's going to fill you out better.

Also, not all mass is created equal. If your net gain today is 7 lbs of muscle and 3 lbs of fat, you're going to look better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People who work out look better. Even if you're 10 lbs heavier than a year ago, if you've been working out it's going to fill you out better.

Also, not all mass is created equal. If your net gain today is 7 lbs of muscle and 3 lbs of fat, you're going to look better.

This is true, but is it even possible to lose enough fat to gain 7lb of muscle and break even?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People who work out look better. Even if you're 10 lbs heavier than a year ago, if you've been working out it's going to fill you out better.

Also, not all mass is created equal. If your net gain today is 7 lbs of muscle and 3 lbs of fat, you're going to look better.

This is true, but is it even possible to lose enough fat to gain 7lb of muscle and break even?

Ah, good point. I misread your post to say you had been working out a year. But if you've only been working out a month, well, lucky you! Free money .

[Anonymous]

Humble brag lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Humble brag lol

Not if you saw me lol I’m not in great shape, but I have lost 10lb. I’m still overweight, but trying.

[Anonymous]

This is why the scale is one (poor) measure. Pictures and measurements are better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, this is truly bizarre.

I gained 20lb in the past year after suffering a loss and a subsequent bout of lack of motivation. I’ve been working out steadily for about a month and finally seeing some changes in my body, plus I’m down 10lb. I pulled out some old summer clothes and tried them on before packing them away for an upcoming vacation and was surprised to see they fit better than they did last summer when I weighed 10lb less. How is this even possible?

Size 8-10 on left at 140lbs. Size 4 on right at 140lbs. Muscle is more dense than fat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People who work out look better. Even if you're 10 lbs heavier than a year ago, if you've been working out it's going to fill you out better.

Also, not all mass is created equal. If your net gain today is 7 lbs of muscle and 3 lbs of fat, you're going to look better.

This is true, but is it even possible to lose enough fat to gain 7lb of muscle and break even?

NP. I don't know the answer to this, but I know the same was true when I gained 5lbs after regularly strength training (I'm 5'2"). My clothes fit better, especially around my waist. While I get that gaining 5-7lbs of muscle for a woman is A LOT, it's proof to fact that the scale is often a liar for athletic and fit people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People who work out look better. Even if you're 10 lbs heavier than a year ago, if you've been working out it's going to fill you out better.

Also, not all mass is created equal. If your net gain today is 7 lbs of muscle and 3 lbs of fat, you're going to look better.

This is true, but is it even possible to lose enough fat to gain 7lb of muscle and break even?

NP. I don't know the answer to this, but I know the same was true when I gained 5lbs after regularly strength training (I'm 5'2"). My clothes fit better, especially around my waist. While I get that gaining 5-7lbs of muscle for a woman is A LOT, it's proof to fact that the scale is often a liar for athletic and fit people.

DP but muscle has the ability to hold onto water, which is a good thing. Water in the muscle cells = good. Extracellular water retention = bloat.