BLOG 107 MUSCLE VS FAT
Well we all know which one we like better haha. There are a number of misconceptions when it comes to these two subjects. So I’m here to debunk some myths, tell you the truth, and help guide you on your fitness journey.
Let’s start with the basics. Muscle: “Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. There are three types of muscle in the body. Muscle which is responsible for moving extremities and external areas of the body is called “skeletal muscle.” Heart muscle is called “cardiac muscle.” Muscle that is in the walls of arteries and bowel is called “smooth muscle” (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4464). Oh then that pesky fat: “The soft flesh on the bodies of people and animals that helps keep the body warm and is used to store energy” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fat).
Most of us want to replace fat with muscle. Say good bye fat and hello muscle. It then needs to be said that we aren’t exactly able to spot reduce fat. Certainly we can emphasize target areas and pay a little more attention to detail on improvement zones. Yet, when our body uses the energy to perform tasks, it pulls from our energy sources collectively as a whole…. not just biceps for bicep curls.
Does muscle weigh more than fat?? We all would say yes. The reality is that a pound is a pound. But, “This means that if you look at five pounds of muscle and five pounds of fat side by side, the fat takes up more volume, or space, than the muscle. That’s important when you’re on a diet and part of your goal is the lean look of muscle, not the flabby look of fat” (https://everydayhealth.com/weight/busting-the-muscle-weighs -more-than-fat-myth). The best part about replacing fat with muscle is that the more muscle you have, the better your metabolism operates, so even at a resting/no activity state, you are burning more than you would be if fat was the majority of your body’s composition.
How can you lose 1 pound of fat?? Well, if 3,500 calories equals one pound, you would need to “burn” an extra 3,500 calories. Hmmmm…. so cutting 500 calories down every day (7 days per week), means you could lose 1 pound per week. My trouble with this is that all calories are not created equal and that activity levels vary. Calories in vs. calories out is the basic premise of weight loss. Easier said than does as most concepts in life are.
At Every BODY’s Fit, I do emphasize the importance of strength training. Because clearly having more muscle means we burn more. We know that the treadmill for hours doesn’t kill that fat like we want it to. So get that heart rate up and put those muscle to work by lifting. Steve Nash says he will help me watch your form.
