appropriate timeline for losing inches
For my fitness class we have to make concrete and measurable goals, but we aren’t allowed to count pounds because it isn’t always a very accurate measure of fitness because muscle weighs more than fat. Anyway I would like to lose some inches off my thighs, hips and stomach. And I wanted to know how many inches I should realistic try to lose in 10 weeks.
There are too many variables to answer your question. It depends on age, how big you are (height and weight), how much muscle mass you have, how much you can build, how much body fat you have, how much you have to lose, and what you are eating as well as your exercise program. It is also very individual. That said, I have seen clients lose up to 10 inches (overall) in that amount of time, but they were changing their diets in addition to exercise.
Hi Tara,
I’m with Janet & Harris – number of inches lost is a shaky way to gauge your progress. Body fat % is probably the best for what you’re looking for but even that has error & small, incremental improvements are hard to measure. Maybe go with “dress size” or something – just keep exercising & don’t get hung up on numbers. You’re actually better off going with the “mirror test” – that rarely lies! Good luck Tara.
Paul Thomas
www.homeworkoutguy.com
Hi Tara,
I agree with the others–too many factors go into into losing inches. I like the fact that you all are making concrete and measurable goals, though!
Also, regarding the misconception that muscle weighs more than fat… Muscle is more dense than fat so it takes up less space than fat. But, a pound is a pound is a pound…
Good luck to you and keep going!
Christine
I always tell my clients that the first thing they will notice when restricting or changing their caloric intake is a loose fitting belt or pants. Typically loose pants equals to inches lost. The inches will vary from person to person depending on physical demand, intake, genetics, etc.
I have had many clients who do not want to weigh- in. I have also noticed that when they are ready to weight-in, it typically indicates a confidence that they have lost weight, or a confidence enough to face the reality of the scale.
Consider that anything that is less than the starting measure is a win, if the behaviors, habits, and rituals getting there are health. Focus on honestly healthy rituals and the inches will melt away.