Fat vs. Muscle - A Personal Visual
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
When I was reading April's (of protein bar fame) blog the other day, she was talking about muscle & fat, a subject close to my heart. For those that have been reading me for a while now know that I talk a lot about muscle weighing more than fat & that I weigh a lot more than most people think I do because of my muscle to fat ratio. I have also talked about how I weigh more now that when I was younger BUT I wear a smaller size in clothes.
The picture above shows just what this is saying - 5 lbs. of muscle vs. 5 lbs. of fat. You can see how much denser, space wise, the muscle is & how much more space the fat takes up... squishier too!
So, first hand pictures to show this & I will put a disclaimer on my older pics. I am 52 SO that was the style back then! :-O And yes, I was obviously working out then but not the way I do now.
So, in both of these pictures, I think I probably weigh close to the same weight but I think I was actually lighter in the older pic by about 3-5 pounds. I definitely know I wear a smaller size now. In fact, I was making a comment on this to another blogger. All this dress shopping for the wedding made me realize that I actually fit in smaller sizes than I thought I did... as my every day readers know, I don't buy clothes or shop for clothes for myself so it turned out to be interesting. Last time I was shopping, I was in sizes 4 & 6 depending on the maker & clothes. This time, I was pretty much in all size 4's and if not for my big ole wide back, I might have fit into some size 2 dresses. Now saying that, pants & such, not! My leggies are not a size 2!
So, although we have a certain body type, with weight/resistance training, we can "mold it" and make it look better.... that along with healthy eating.... remember that! Food is at least 75% of this & to see the muscle, you have to get the layer of fat off that covers it!
Now some of you don't want to be as muscular as I am & I understand that! I am just showing you how different a person can look when they work at it & lower their body fat. In my new picture, I weigh about 116.5 (I swing in the 116-119 range depending on hormones & such) and wear a size 4. In the old picture, I think I weighed about 110-112 but I wore a size 6 & sometimes 8.
Muscle definitely weighs more than fat but it is much more dense so the scale may play tricks with you. Use your clothes as a barometer for what is going on if you are trying to put on muscle & lose fat. PLUS, having more muscle helps prevent osteoporosis as we age, helps you do every day tasks with more ease and yes, it make us look great!
When I was reading April's (of protein bar fame) blog the other day, she was talking about muscle & fat, a subject close to my heart. For those that have been reading me for a while now know that I talk a lot about muscle weighing more than fat & that I weigh a lot more than most people think I do because of my muscle to fat ratio. I have also talked about how I weigh more now that when I was younger BUT I wear a smaller size in clothes.
The picture above shows just what this is saying - 5 lbs. of muscle vs. 5 lbs. of fat. You can see how much denser, space wise, the muscle is & how much more space the fat takes up... squishier too!
So, first hand pictures to show this & I will put a disclaimer on my older pics. I am 52 SO that was the style back then! :-O And yes, I was obviously working out then but not the way I do now.
So, in both of these pictures, I think I probably weigh close to the same weight but I think I was actually lighter in the older pic by about 3-5 pounds. I definitely know I wear a smaller size now. In fact, I was making a comment on this to another blogger. All this dress shopping for the wedding made me realize that I actually fit in smaller sizes than I thought I did... as my every day readers know, I don't buy clothes or shop for clothes for myself so it turned out to be interesting. Last time I was shopping, I was in sizes 4 & 6 depending on the maker & clothes. This time, I was pretty much in all size 4's and if not for my big ole wide back, I might have fit into some size 2 dresses. Now saying that, pants & such, not! My leggies are not a size 2!
So, although we have a certain body type, with weight/resistance training, we can "mold it" and make it look better.... that along with healthy eating.... remember that! Food is at least 75% of this & to see the muscle, you have to get the layer of fat off that covers it!
Now some of you don't want to be as muscular as I am & I understand that! I am just showing you how different a person can look when they work at it & lower their body fat. In my new picture, I weigh about 116.5 (I swing in the 116-119 range depending on hormones & such) and wear a size 4. In the old picture, I think I weighed about 110-112 but I wore a size 6 & sometimes 8.
Muscle definitely weighs more than fat but it is much more dense so the scale may play tricks with you. Use your clothes as a barometer for what is going on if you are trying to put on muscle & lose fat. PLUS, having more muscle helps prevent osteoporosis as we age, helps you do every day tasks with more ease and yes, it make us look great!
I hope this convinces some of you that don't lift weights to start & for those that are already doing weight resistance, to keep it up! Believe me, you will be glad you did as you get older! Did you know that a huge percentage of hospital stays for older people are due to falls & bone/hip breaks & fractures.
Do this for yourself now to be healthy & also to prevent injuries now & as you age.
Posted by truth2beingfit at 3/30/2010 12:01 AM 
Categories: Health, Motivation/Support, Tips, Exercise, Weights, workout
Tags: fitness resistance training Weight Loss Diets fat burning food Exercise eating workouts health weights fat storage Tips
Categories: Health, Motivation/Support, Tips, Exercise, Weights, workout
Tags: fitness resistance training Weight Loss Diets fat burning food Exercise eating workouts health weights fat storage Tips
You are gorgeous, baby - at every age!
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You look great and motivate me to lift weights!
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Love the pics and the view on muscle vs fat. At 5'7" my target weight I want to reach is 140. I was 132 in high school, but the smallest size I've ever been was a 7. I think anything less, and I would look sickly thin!
Great post!
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Love the visual aids--makes excellent learning tools! I think a picture is often worth a million words!
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Great advice, as always Jody.
Now time to get back to building muscle.
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I did a similar post many months ago.. http://redhead75.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-things/
I didn't have awesome pics though
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We are on the same wavelength!
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Wow! That sure shows what a great transformation can be accomplished with a focused fitness program!
PS: I do kinda miss the big hair days
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Dr. J, really, you miss those hair days!!!!
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Jody, you just look amazing - in both pictures! I wish I had your discipline and dedication to get off this last bit of weight and show off my muscles
Weights rock. Plain and simple!
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Lori, you are amazing with what you do!!! Yes, weights rock!
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Love this pose Jody!!! I tell people all the time muscle weighs more. I don't weight myself because of that. I go by how my clothes fit. My clothes fit better than ever because I have muscle...go figure! Lean muscle burns fat and slims you up fast. I know exactly what you are talking about. Great post
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A picture is worth a 1000 words. If those pictures don't convince a few people to start lifting weights, nothing will. You look amazing Jody!
BTW, the outfit on the left was my uniform back in the 1990's when I was going to step aerobics. LOL!
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Karen... I hope people do start resistance training. So many benefits... And yes, I did the aerobics!
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