Losing Inches But Not Pounds

I am a 56 year old very healthy female.  I have been on a weight loss program for 4 months.  I have lost approximately 20 inches but only 18 lbs.  I workout 6 days a week doing both strength training and cardio.  I eat very healthy and stay within my recommended daily calories (1500-2000).  When I first began my workouts with my trainer, I could only leg press 50 lbs now I have progressed to 140 lbs, so physically I am progressing and improving.  My question is why am I not losing weight?  I understand the fat vs muscle concept but I still think that I should see more change on the scale.  Am I being unrealistic?

It depends on what your starting weight was & how much you have to lose. My scale has been stuck for weeks. Like you I have been eating well, exercising a lot & the tape measure has moved but the scale hasn't much at all. I feel better so I'm just gong witht hat at present. I have a lot to lose though so it does get a little disheartening. I think hormones (or lack of) have a bit to do with it as well. Stick with it & good luck.

Thanks for reply Tevoleus. My start weight was 189 lbs, present weight is 171 and I want to lose an additional 21 lbs.  I'm 5'7" tall with a medium body frame so I can carry a few extra pounds.  I'm not going to give up.  I just need to know that I'm doing the right things to reach my goal.

WHY do you care about what a number on a scale says? If you're losing inches, then you're becoming less fat.That's all that matters. It's unhealthy to only care about numbers.

Are you complaining???  I would rather see the results in my clothes than on the scale.  I do realize our obsession with numbers, tho.  Be glad you lost the inches  and good luck with the program.  Stay healthy.

You lost 18 pounds in four months and you are complaining? 

You have lost over one pound a week.  That is great.  It means that you are doing a great job and the weight is more likely to stay off.

Keep up the good work and don't beat yourself up.  You are on the right track. 

And remember that with the exercising you are gaining muscle that is why you are losing more inches then you are dropping in pounds.

I would kill to lose 18 lbs in that short of time - and all those inches!!!!

I too agree with others who said who cares what the scale says - I'd much rather "look" thinner than go by the number on the scale In fact I've lived this

I currently am at 180 many years ago when I was 180 I was wearing size 16s I now wear 10 -12s depending on the maker -- Sure I'd love to see 155 on the scale again but even then I was only wearing size 8s so adding 25 lbs over the last few years I've also only gained  a couple pant sizes.

I think weight lifting is the best inch reducer ever.  I will say - go to free weights vs the machines.  Ask your Personal trainer to show you how to do deadlifts, squats and such and see how much faster and better you'll be

I understand, I've lost 13 inches in Oct, and ONE pound.  I MUST learn to pick my battles but I see how discouraging the scale thing is.

Thanks to all of you for your input.  Sometimes a nice kick is good!  I guess I haven't been realistic in my expectations and this is why I have always failed at weight loss in the past.  I expect the weight to go away as fast as it did when I was younger but the problem with that weight loss is that I always regained the loss plus some extra.  Now that I'm taking it slower, I think I'm starting to understand the weight loss process.  The slower the better. 

I'm going to hide the scale and pay more attention to my body and how it fits into  my clothes.  My progress is not going to be measured in pounds but in how I feel how well my clothes fit.  I'm looking forward to the smaller sized jeans and a lower body fat percentage!!  My trainer has been telling me for 4 months to disregard the scale and now I understand why. 

I'm new to the site and I must say you have all encouraged me to continue on my journey to live healthy, be realistic and lose the scale.