I'm 6' tall and weigh 197 right now (started at 205 or so). The weight has come off pretty quickly so I know at least some of it is water. My bodyfat % hasn't really changed (from 18 to 17%) and I've gotten a LOT stronger (able to lift more weight for more reps).

This is over a period of about 2 months (although the 8 pounds of weight loss has been only in the past two weeks).

It can't all be water can it? It can't be muscle or I wouldn't be getting stronger? And it can't be fat or my bodyfat% would change

So have I lost some water, some fat, and some muscle? If I've lost some muscle why have I gotten stronger? (Stronger in all muscle groups).

Any suggestions?

dont go by body fat %

go by with what you see in the mirror and feel in your body.

everything else like weight, and bf % doesnt matter

You still might want to keep track of your bodyfat% because you can then work out your Lean Body Mass which will tell you if you are losing muscle mass.

You can imporve your strength while losing a little mass because strength gains arent just the result of larger muscle fibres. I cant remember exactly what its called but its so something like Neuromuscular sensory improvements where the Nervous System changes to allow your body to lift more. One result is the increased number motor units that can be activated at any one time. This is how you increase your strength quickly without any actually musclular gains.

Marcus

dont go by body fat %

go by with what you see in the mirror and feel in your body.

everything else like weight, and bf % doesnt matter

I beg to differ. Bodyfat is a pretty good indicator of your progress of getting lean. How are you measuring your bodyfat? Calipers? Scale? Website?

Also, you didn't specify exactly how much time passed for your weight loss. Are we talking days or weeks?

At any rate, it sounds like you're on the right track. Continued Success!

sounds like you're going off scales?

my scales still report me at the same BF every other day as when i started, and i've dropped from 194 to 184. Worry more about the weight and how you look in the mirror :)

I don't know what my bodyfat is right now but you should keep track if you can. I do know my weight has only come down some 9 lbs scale weight but I am getting some results in my clothes. I also don't get hyped about the scale weight. I know I gaining muscle and that over time my overall weight will decrease so I don't panic if I'm up or down 5 lbs. Heck maybe I just need to poop.

I can now wear a dress shirt I accidentally bought in too small a neck size without feeling like a weak guy is choking me all day. My jeans which were tight in the thighs are now loose and the seat is getting loser. My wife said she notices my gut shrinking. I saw my mom for the first time in a couple of weeks and she commented my face looks thinner. Don't get my wrong I got a long way to go but other people are starting to see it and I can feel it in my clothes.

You should track your bodyfat and weight but also look to see what other less obvious clues you are finding especially your clothing fit.

Everyone's body is different. Just keep with the program and I'm sure you'll start to see more obvious results. You might also examine your diet and make some modifications - nothing too drastic at once - and try it for a week or two and see if you get faster results. Check out your fats and make sure you are keeping the saturated fats low. Also make sure you are not getting processed sugars without realizing it.

Don't get discouraged. It just takes time and sticking to it to develop new healthy habits.

I'm a fast gainer - fat that is - but luckily I'm still a fast fat loser at 33. However I'm a hard muscle gainer so that is my personal hell. :D

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