Weight loss slower due to weight lifting?

Hey everyone,

I've recently switch from a ton of running to a lot of weight lifting and some cardio. I haven't changed my level of calories, but have been eating a ton more protein than carbs. My weight loss as been really slow though. When I was running, I was losing weight at about 1.5lbs/week. My first week weight lifting, I only lost about .5 lbs. Now this week, I went up .2 lbs. I always measure my (real) waist on my weigh in dates and it seems to still be maintaining it's slow decrease. 

I still have a lot to lose, I'm 5'10, male and at 191 lbs. The very top of my healthy BMI is 174, so I know I'm not in the situation where I'll keep the same weight and become thinner (muscle gain balances out fat loss.) Anyways, is it normal to have a temporarily stunted weight loss when first starting an intense weight lifting program? Or should I try something different (more cardio, eating less, zigzagging, etc)?

I actually didn't start losing until I added more weightlifting to my routine. But I did not reduce my cardio, just upped my weightlifting.

So my opinion is that weightlifting is essential to weight loss (and for looking good as the fat comes off, revealing toned muscles!)

But cardio is what burns the most calories, I suppose. Hopefully somebody more knowledgeable than me will chine in, but that's my two cents.

Good luck!

Thanks. Yeah, honestly, I think when it comes to weight loss, "more cardio" is always the answer. Of course, weight training is key to burning fat and keeping muscle, but in terms of speeding up weight loss, cardio is always the answer.

A long time ago when I first started weight lifting I didn't lose weight for 2 or three months, in fact I think I gained a couple pounds.  But I did lose a whole pant size and then the scale started showing it too.  Don't give up and keep an eye on how your clothes fit.  its a much better indicator.

This is why using a scale to measure health can be deceptive. It is true that the more muscle you have the more calories will be burned naturally. However, muscle is denser then fat. I'm not sure of the exact number but a hypothetical example is: lets assume you have a handful of muscle. that one handful of muscle will weigh as much as 3 handfuls of fat. Just because the actual measurement of the muscle is smaller, it still weighs more. When doing a weightlifting routine it is very normal for your body weight to go up while your waist, arm, and thigh measurements go down. A healthy muscular body can weigh as much or more then an out of shape flabby body. It is due to the density of the muscle. I recommend to stop using a scale and start using a measurement tape instead. The numbers on a scale mean much less then the circumference of a given body part when trying to get in shape.