Monday, May 28, 2007

Week 119

2lb loss!

Frankly I'm stunned.

I was expecting to be withing half a pound either side of where I was last week, so a 2lb loss is quite surprising.

Hmmm...

There is an explanation that's just leapt to mind, although I don't like it much and I don't know enough about these matters to be sure.

I wonder whether the loss is more to do with muscle mass than fat. Quite simply with the increased tiredness, my activity levels have really dropped off.

We know that unless you are exercising, you tend to lose muscle before fat, and that muscle weighs more than fat.

According to my scales (although they were not expensive ones, so I can't say I completely trust them), my body fat percentage is slightly higher now than it was a few weeks ago when I was slightly heavier.

It's a theory. Unfortunately I have no idea how good a one it is. If anyone has a better understanding of these things please let me know.


Statistical Significance: I am at my lightest now since I began.

Starting Weight: 19st 9lb - 275lbs
Current Weight: 12st 6lb - 174lbs
Body fat: 23.2%
Total Weight Loss: 101lbs

8 comments:

Apex Zombie said...

Yeah, I know what you're talking about. I don't know a whole lot about it, but that's what I've heard as well. Muscle weighing more than fat, losing muscle mass if you don't exercise, and all that. But I'm no expert, so I don't know if that's what happened.

But, it is a loss :D

Sayre said...

Hmmm... I'm not sure if I should congratulate you or not! When you start getting more exercise, it will be interesting to see if you gain "weight" again.

I know that the muscle thing is one of my frustrations with using a scale for measure. I look at the scale, but go more with how my clothes feel when I put them on.

fatmammycat said...

Well done slim Kim!

Kim Ayres said...

FLG - I'm not complaining about the loss, but I do like to know why things are happening

Sayre - measuring by clothes is so unreliable though, as clothes tighten in the wash and stretch with wear

FMC - haha! It could be a while before I'm called Slim Kim!

Half Man said...

Can you lose that much muscle that quickly? I find that a disturbing thought. I quickly scanned the internet for information, but did not come up with any reliable results. I will have to do a deeper scan later. Keep at it. You have come a long way.

Kim Ayres said...

Half Man - I'm just making wild guesses based on bits of half-remembered conversations and a set of cheap, unreliable scales.

I make no claims for definitive accuracy.

I'd be interested to know if you do come across any reliable information

Half Man said...

Apparently, it is hard to tell whether or not you have lost or gained muscle. However, if you have an accurate measure of your body fat percentage, you can figure your lean mass ratio. I found this website helpful: http://www.naturalphysiques.com/faq/415.html and this one addresses muscle loss http://www.naturalphysiques.com/faq/403.html

Kim Ayres said...

Thanks for the links Half Man - they're really useful, and there's a lot of other great info on that site too.

Much appreciated!