How to tell the difference?

[melisa82]

This has probably been discussed, but couldn't find the thread... How can you tell if the weight you are losing is fat or just water? Thanks

[mattsmama]

Two words-tape measure

[MintQ8]

Not sure really, I imagine at the beginning it's some water - then it's fat.

It supposedly takes a deficit of 3500 to lose 1lb - so, if your 'maintenance' calories were (for example) 2000 cals - over one week you would normally eat 14000 calories. I don't 100% subscribe to the calories in, calories out rule - but if you eat 10500 calories in one week - you should lose 1lb a week

On JUDDD, if 2000 is maintenance - our average daily calories are 1250, meaning you would be eating 8750 cals per week, therefore your deficit per week is 5250 per week - probably meaning that you should lose, on average 1 1/2lbs per week.

Of course it seems not to be an exact science - different things affect our weight loss and gain!

On the flip side for those wondering if they've truly managed to gain 3lbs overnight - have you consumed an additional 10500 calories? No! So, it is probably water weight.

However, I'm beginning to think - although I'm addicted to my scale - I am considering changing my goal to a UK size 10 (US 6) - because the world sees what I look like - not what my scales say!

Have no idea if I've answered your question though. Someone (Yam Yam, I think - but maybe someone else) posted recently about when we lose fat from our cells, they fill with water - then we finally lose the water (in a whoosh) - so, truthfully, does it matter if it's water or fat on the way down?? It almost seems like it's both all the time!

[melisa82]

I guess it doesn't really matter to me if it's water weight or fat. As long as the scale is going down and my clothes are getting bigger, that's all that matters. It was just a question that popped in my head...

And Vicky we have the same mini goal! I want to be 199 by my birthday August 1st! Yippeeee We can do it!

[KeirasMom]

Me too, me too, me too! I want to be 199 by my birthday (September 21)! Truthfully, I'd love to be less than that, but I'd sure be happy to be in onederland by then.

[Hazelsmrf]

If you're significantly overweight then you'll lose lean body mass, no way around that. If I weigh 300 pounds I have a certain amount of muscle that's needed to move that stuff around. You have extra blood too, you won't require as much muscle nor as much blood the thinner you get. I suppose with a lot of effort you could try to maintain the muscle mass as you slim down, but if a 300 pound person has 160 pounds of lean body mass and wants to weigh 130 pounds well, you see they'll be losing a good chunk of LBM too, not just fat. Water weight counts as part of your lean body mass, so on the scale it will always be a mixture of fat and lean body mass, the real question is how much of each? And that's really hard to measure, scales don't do it accurately, callipers have a lot of user error, tape measurements help but there too, user error and it's just not very exact. I hear the test where they dunk you in the pool is the most accurate but it's not like you'll be getting that done every week... So the best you can do is eat sufficient protein to maintain your current muscles, lift weights to maintain your muscle... you've done what you can at that point, the rest will happen as it will.

[b_lou_who]

you don't lose fat without it leaving attached to water molecules, so the line is pretty blurry. and fat cells refill with some water before realizing you aren't going to put fat back in them before you see that loss permanently, so blurrier still.

[ellgee]

Originally Posted by b_lou_who

you don't lose fat without it leaving attached to water molecules, so the line is pretty blurry. and fat cells refill with some water before realizing you aren't going to put fat back in them before you see that loss permanently, so blurrier still.

That's just not fair.

[b_lou_who]

agreed and seconded!

sadly true though.

[artsyfartsy]

Fat cells never disappear, they just shrink....unless you have lipo. That is why it is very easy to regain weight and then some.


You can never truly know what you are losing, but usually the beginning of a weightloss diet you will lose more water. As you progress it will be a combo of fat, water and muscle. It beneficial to weight train or do some kind of resistance exercise in order to maintain as much muscle during the weightloss.

[ravenrose]

all our tissues, including fat tissues, are primarily water. there is nothing wrong with losing water weight... it counts! if you are in ketosis, the question is, will it come back if/when you start eating carbs? the "Atkin's loan" part will. but if you aren't low carbing on your up days, that shouldn't be an issue. you should count it all.

anyone disagree?

[gotsomeold]

I wait until the scales say the same thing three times, then I update my stats and consider the weight lost. As long as I know I am drinking enough to keep my bod well and truly hydrated, I don't worry about whether that lost weight was water or fat.

Because I know some muscle is going to be involved in the loss - and I am not in a position to scientifically figure out how much muscle is involved - I have started walking with three-pound weight in either hand, usually waved around or held above my head. I figure whether I am preserving/building muscle or just keeping the neighbors amused, it's all good.

[MintQ8]

Nancy, I want to be your neighbour - just to see!!!
Must start weight lifting again - I love it!

[Yam-Yam]

Interesting thought here: Just reading an article in the new issue of "First For Women" magazine and it says that some diets that cause us to lose fat and preserve muscle (like Intermittent Fasting, I have read over and over) get rid of fat in a way that is exactly like lypo-suction!!!!!

Can it be??????? that JUDD may actually kill the zombie fat cells that don't want to die????

BTW: I've never read any research about fat cells temporarily filling with water, but someone else posted it.

When your tummy (abdomen) gets flat, you will know you've lost fat!

Hey! I made a rhyme!!!

Take your height in inches (my height is 69 inches) divide it by 2 (for me that is 34.5). Put the tape measure around your waist and pull it tight.

If your waist measures half your height in inches, congratulations, YOU HAVE LOST FAT AND NOT JUST WATER!!!!!

Mine does. I did!!! I used to have a measurement of 40 inches around my waist when I weighed 230!!! Now it measures exactly 34 and I believe it's going to keep shrinking!! In fact, my hips are now, at the widest part, 40 inches and they were 46!!! Wooo-Hoo!!!!

[Becky]

Originally Posted by MintQ8

Not sure really, I imagine at the beginning it's some water - then it's fat.

It supposedly takes a deficit of 3500 to lose 1lb - so, if your 'maintenance' calories were (for example) 2000 cals - over one week you would normally eat 14000 calories. I don't 100% subscribe to the calories in, calories out rule - but if you eat 10500 calories in one week - you should lose 1lb a week

On JUDDD, if 2000 is maintenance - our average daily calories are 1250, meaning you would be eating 8750 cals per week, therefore your deficit per week is 5250 per week - probably meaning that you should lose, on average 1 1/2lbs per week.

Of course it seems not to be an exact science - different things affect our weight loss and gain!

On the flip side for those wondering if they've truly managed to gain 3lbs overnight - have you consumed an additional 10500 calories? No! So, it is probably water weight.

However, I'm beginning to think - although I'm addicted to my scale - I am considering changing my goal to a UK size 10 (US 6) - because the world sees what I look like - not what my scales say!

Have no idea if I've answered your question though. Someone (Yam Yam, I think - but maybe someone else) posted recently about when we lose fat from our cells, they fill with water - then we finally lose the water (in a whoosh) - so, truthfully, does it matter if it's water or fat on the way down?? It almost seems like it's both all the time!

I like your explination of gaining 3 pounds in overnight, you'd have to be REALLY hungry to eat and extra 10500 calories . I'm going to remember that when the scale is being a jerk.

My size goal is an 8, though I'd be thrilled with a 6 for sure!!