on Week 8 - I've Gained Body Fat but lost Inches

[Banahja]

Guys,

This soo strange, i did my measurements yesterday, on week 4 I had dropped 5% fat (22% to 17%), I am currently on week 8 and had gained 2% of fat putting me at 19% Body fat! Then I did my measurements, stomach, waist, thights etc... lost inches (1 to 1/2) all over which is great! ... What is going on, why did my fat increase?

My trainer believes I am eating wrong, considering I am not doing 6 meals a day religiously, but I really do not eat, just 3 meals a day, 2 are light and one is major, but have stopped sweets etc... Could this be a reason? What about water re-tension, does that increase fat?

I am going to get back to the whole 6 meals a day, but does anybody have any idea what the heck happened .. i am so angry and sad and disappointed, i work harder than anyone i know at the gym, my goal is to reach 5% fat and it seems like a looong looong way, definitely will not happen by month 3 .

[Maljonic]

A 2% fluctuation is nothing, don't worry about it. This can happen for all kinds of reasons. Did you measure your body fat at exactly the same time on the same day? What are you using to measure your body fat? Losing inches is great by the way, well done.

[Chris]

I'm more encouraged by your lost inches and the overall reduction in body fat than discouraged by your sudden increase. It's wise to look at the diet and reapply yourself, as it's very important... but don't worry too much about the 2% increase. If it stays, then we can worry a little... but it sounds like you're still making progress, and that's the important thing, right?

[Warmdaddy]

Also, if you eat fewer larger meals your body will store the extra calories in the large meal as fat. If you eat small balanced meals every 2 1/2-3 hours you tend to eat more overall but store less.