How can I loose inches but not weight?

Can someone explain this phenomenon to me? How is it possible that you are physically smaller but still weigh the same amount. (without adding muscle).

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  • I don't know but I read that a lot.  My weight loss is not huge but my stomach is  smaller :). 

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    • KC
    • seashell_station
    • 4 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Fat is fluffy like balloons. How many balloons would you have to blow up to make 1 pound?

    Now put ALL those balloons under your shirt.

    Now pop 1/2 of them === your inches would change, but the scale would have only moved 1/2 pound down.

    Like 2
    • dmmrtn56
    • Donna_Martin
    • 4 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    KC that is an interesting analogy but I'm not sure about the scientific facts.

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    • ShortGuy
    • Just a normal dude
    • ShortGuy
    • 4 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    I’ll attempt to answer. Occum’s razor. Is your scale accurate? Tried another scale for comparison. Scales aren’t the be all end all tool to measure dieting progress. Reason being is a lot of factors can impact weight at any given time. Hydration level, food & liquids in stomach, urine in bladder and waste in intestinal tract. The best time to weigh is typically in the morning with empty bladder having not consumed any food or liquids.  I don’t know your activity/exercise level. I don’t know your other factors like weight or how long you’ve been on keto.

    Now I’m going to think out loud. I’m no doc or scientist so don’t take my ramblings as gospel. Could it be that you’re feeling better & engaging in more activity/exercise? This could cause an increase in muscle density. When on keto your body sheds water stores from muscle, etc tied to glucose. You could gain some  muscle density while losing inches due to reduction in fat, water & glucose stores explaining overall weight retention. The food you’re eating could also aid in increasing muscle density by creating an environment to nutritionally support it. An increase in density wouldn’t necessarily translate to the appearance of increasing overall muscle mass. I’m just spitballing here. Throwing poo at the wall and seeing what sticks. Lol. “I’m a doctor not an engineer.” -McCoy. I’m the opposite of that though. 

    Like 1
    • Kaliko
    • Kaliko
    • 4 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    So I've read that as you lose weight the fat cells that are emptying out are quickly filled with water, and that your body can hold onto that water for a while until one day, woosh. Then the scale drops 4 or 5 pounds over night. This particular thing has happened to me a few times in the past. I imagine a couple pounds of fat would look different on your body compared to a couple pounds of water? Maybe that's the explanation for the change in inches, not pounds? Here's to hoping anyways, right?😉

    Like 2
    • dmmrtn56
    • Donna_Martin
    • 4 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    reply to shortguy....same scale, same time of day, same place, same amount of clothing  right after morning bathroom break, no food or drink.

    no additional activity.

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  • dmmrtn56  your clothes don't feel smaller?  Did you take a picture to document the start of your journey? 

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    • dmmrtn56
    • Donna_Martin
    • 4 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    clothes feel looser.

    Pic is not showing any difference yet.

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    • KC
    • seashell_station
    • 4 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    dmmrtn56 I was trying to make it a simple as possible.

    here's a visual.

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  • KC I enjoy looking at the fat now and knowing I am carrying around a few pounds less :). 

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    • dmmrtn56
    • Donna_Martin
    • 4 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Thanks KC. I am aware that fat is bulkier than muscle but I am not adding any muscle.

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