Muscle Weight?

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yogalifer
Participant

October 31, 2008 at 11:57 pm

Post count: 106

#1217

Hi All,
I started doing Vinyasa yoga about three years ago and switched to Bikram six months ago to attempt to heal a hamstring injury that I got doing Vinyasa. I was passionate about Vinyasa yoga, but–interestingly enough–I love Bikram so much, I think that I’ll stick with it for the foreseeable future.

I have exercised very regularly for most of my adult life (I’m 45) but have gained about ten pounds over the last few years due to poor food choices. I decided to try to lose the gained weight but have only lost two pounds in the last month. I have kept track of activity and food intake. I have not greatly restricted calories but have been eating about the amount that one would expect to maintain my weight if I were not doing any exercise. I attended 19 Bikram classes in the month of October and went on brisk three mile walks 16 times. Based on calorie counters I should have burned about 19,000 calories in the Bikram classes. Math would say that I should have lost about 6 pounds this month.

Is it possible to have gained 4 pounds of muscle in one month? I do have a visible change in the amount of muscle since I started doing Bikram. One of my instructors did comment on the six-pack that I have started to develop.

Namaste
Cindy

Meissa
Participant

November 1, 2008 at 10:16 am

Post count: 16

#3629

Wow you! Way to go! 🙂

I suppose gaining that much amount of muscle *is* possible, especially since you’ve done a good portion of Bikram Yoga AND cardio in 1 month. After all, muscle does weigh more than fat.

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

November 2, 2008 at 1:55 pm

Post count: 3048

#3636

Hi Cindy

Woo hoo! A six-pack eh? You must be so pleased to be showing such progress towards your physical goals. Thank goodness muscles is heavier than fat. :cheese:

I wonder what it will take or even if it is possible to let go of the numbers side and focus on what creates and maintains the feeling of wellbeing. Although a system used and enjoyed by many, calorie counting is a guide and not an exact science as your body and your metabolism change over your lifetime. It is an approximation of what could happen.

Congratulations on your shape change and your obvious joy in the process.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

yogalifer
Participant

November 2, 2008 at 7:39 pm

Post count: 106

#3641

Hi Gabrielle,

Thanks for your response. I have an accounting/finance background so I do tend to get a little wrapped up in the numbers sometimes. It’s good to get a reminder every once in awhile to let that go. %-P I am enjoying a slimmer figure and a smaller clothing size. Bikram makes it sooo much easier to make healthy food choices and to cut out the bad stuff.

Thanks,
Cindy
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