Methodology
Lost Weight but Still Look Soft, Why?
Francesco Zen, founder of ZTraining · Last updated June 20, 2026
The quick test
Take 2 to 3 days off, on higher carbs
A short, deliberate reset rather than pushing through.
Check if density improves
If the soft look tightens up, recovery and cortisol were the issue.
If it doesn't improve
The problem is hormonal, nutritional, or both, and worth investigating further from there.
Why this happens
Cortisol-driven water retention and reduced muscle tone can mask real progress on the scale, the weight is genuinely down, but the visual result doesn't match it until recovery catches up.
Related: Stress, cortisol and belly fat, what's real · Why recovery matters more after 40
Francesco Zen is the founder of ZTraining and ZLIFE, with 18 years of coaching experience working with executives across the UK, US, and UAE. He built Mr Z, an AI coach trained on his methodology to bring the same approach to a wider audience.