Fat vs. Muscle: Does it Matter?

Next week marks my one year anniversary as a camper at Step It Up.  Thanks to our coach Ryan and the support of many friends along the way, I am stronger, my clothes fit better, I have more energy and I actually enjoy running.   I was not overweight when I started but have managed to lose over 3 % body fat along with a few inches; however, I have not lost ONE pound of total body weight.    I understand that I have built muscle and lost fat, which is why the scale has not shifted, but I now personally understand the frustration that sets in with clients when the scale doesn’t move despite months of effort.

So, you may be wondering… if you don’t lose weight, but build muscle mass and lose fat, does it make a difference in your overall health?

Absolutely.

Having excess body fat is linked to many diseases, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease.  You can be overweight according to BMI charts and healthy due to a high percentage of muscle mass;  however, I can promise you that 99% us do not fall into this category.  (Think extreme athletes, Olympians, etc.)

You can also be thin and “overfat.”  At my first body fat testing, I was at the high end of normal.  It was hard to believe since I didn’t fall into an overweight category on a height –weight chart; however, it was a wakeup call that the change I was making was a good decision.

If you are new to boot camp this month, or a vet who isn’t happy with your results, consider body fat testing.  This Monday we will offer FREE testing via a simple test on a Tanita Body Composition Analyzer using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at the Smyrna First Baptist Church location.  You will receive a printout with your results and our dietitian (me) will go over what the results mean before you leave camp.

I would encourage EVERYONE to do this test whether you are new to camp or not, then plan to re-test in 2-3 months to monitor your progress.  If you are new, you may not see changes in your weight (especially for women building muscle) but this test will allow you to see BEYOND the scale!

Below are some guidelines for what to do this weekend to insure the most accurate test results:

• Have an empty bladder - urinate within 30 minutes prior to testing
• Drink plenty of water all weekend to be well hydrated
• No exercise 12 hours prior to test
• No alcohol within 48 hours of test
• No food after midnight

See you Monday!