In today's world of monitoring everything from your body mass index to measuring your waistline, many people don't realize that you can be fit and fat at the same time.
It is extremely possible to be fit, yet considered overweight by many of today's standards. A large part of this has to do with whether or not you are considered overweight due to muscle gain or have just a few extra pounds to lose.
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Medical studies have shown individuals that are slightly overweight, yet not sedentary have a 45 percent decreased risk of premature death, whereas normal weight and underweight persons had a 55 percent chance of perishing before they reach old age. This is an astonishing number, however, it supports the fit and fat philosophy. Individuals making progress and strides toward better fitness, being lean and building muscle are much better off than anyone at any weight doing nothing at all.
Looking at BMI charts can be devastating to those just on the cusp between "fat" and "fit". Over half of the individuals in this designation are not overweight, nor are they unfit. When you exercise, you build muscle. The muscle you accumulate weighs more than fat, however, takes time to break down and shrink fat cells.
During this period, many people find that they look better, feel healthy, but still fall into the overweight category. What they don't realize is that given some additional time the number on the scale will match up with where they want to be on the BMI chart.
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There are other individuals who are just at the beginning of their workout routine, and are making great strides in weight loss, that are still considered unfit because they are fat. This is not the case. Your body recognizes the improvements you make to overall cardiovascular health and many other health benefits associated with exercise, long before you manifest physical results.
Many individuals that look "fat" are actually very physically fit, and are simply waiting for their physique to catch up to the rest of their body.
Bear in mind that just because you might fall into one of these categories, it isn't time to dial down your fitness routine or jump back on the sofa. While being fat and fit is possible, reducing your weight to one that falls within a recommended range for your height will decrease many additional health risks, like diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease stroke and joint problems.
Losing just 10 percent of your body weight can make a huge difference in how you look, how you feel and how healthy you truly are. If you are looking for the perfect word to describe you, aiming for fit is one that suits everyone best.
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The reality of being fat and fit is something that everyone needs to adjust his or her mindset to. In a society where stick-thin models are said to be the most beautiful, there is little to be said about them being the healthiest. The best outlook to have is not to be defined by a number on a scale, on a chart or by the size of the pants you wear, but how healthy and fit you feel.