Lost 12lbs on the scale but the mirror shows weight gain

M33) 6ft tall. Ectomoprh

In 2021 I was 160lbs and I was way slimmer wearing 32’ pants for work was very small framed and small head sized the way I was for years

In early 2022 I started getting a. Little bit bigger when I was less weight at 154lbs and at the time it was very stubborn as starving wouldn’t shift it lower for a while

Eventually it shifted

Now at 148lbs I’m bigger and them same 32’ pants are like teens size on me now

I look exactly the same person but bigger if that makes sense

I juts wanted to stay slim

I still look the same and lanky and skinny in clothes too but I’m pudgy and my legs have gotten thick on the back and sides

My mum said there’s nothing can be done about it as I’m getting older

I starved to lose that 12lbs and it didn’t do shit Is it impossible?

▪️ I did 10-12k steps for 6 weeks daily and it didn’t work it seemed to make my legs way thicker

▪️ now for some reason going up on the scale even if I eat more is difficult but going down is super easy if I eat enough still why?