GLEN TITHER HEALTH & FITNESS ARTICLES
Website: www.gtpersonaltrainer.co.uk
Email: glen@gtpersonaltrainer.co.uk
Q: DOES MUSCLE WEIGH MORE THAN FAT?
Muscle does not weigh more than fat, any more than lead weighs more than feathers - a pound (lb) is a pound (lb).
Where
the misunderstanding often comes in is that muscle is much more dense
than fat, so that, by volume, it seems to weigh more. That is, a pound
of muscle occupies less space than a pound of fat. If you placed a pound
of fat next to a pound of muscle then the fat would take up much more
space than the pound of muscle. In addition, because a pound of muscle
requires, and burns, more oxygen and calories than a pound of fat, even
at rest, then it goes without saying that by increasing your lean
muscle tissue mass you're helping your body burn more calories.
Q: CAN I TURN MY FAT INTO MUSCLE?
Some
people believe that if they start exercising then sooner or later
they'll turn their fat into muscle; or that if they stop exercising then
their muscle will turn back into fat. Neither statement is true. Just
ask yourself: is it possible to turn a piece of steak into a block of
butter? No - each tissue is distinctly different.
When you place a
stress on the muscular system, such as through physical
activity/exercise, you create 'overload' and an requirement for
adaptation of your muscles to cope with the stress being placed upon
them. Performed regularly, and at the correct intensity, this physicaly
activity/exercise will increase your lean muscle mass; and together with
a healthy, balanced, nutritionally complete diet will also decrease
your overall fat mass.
Obviously your total body weight will change
as you gain lean muscle mass and lose fat mass; but as mentioned above,
if you lose 1lb of fat mass and gain 1lb of muscle mass your weight will
be the same. You will however see a positive difference in your body
composition.
