There are many factors to be discussed when it comes to the subjects of body fat and lean muscle mass. Hopefully this column will touch on some helpful, but basic facts and tips to help you gain a better understanding of the two and how to improve on areas that you need for yourself.
Have you ever used or heard the term “skinny-fat?” This term would apply to individuals who may not weigh a whole lot according to the scale, but if and when they have their body fat percentage measured, it would be very high. These are most likely individuals who have never done any kind of resistance or weight training and have a very low percentage of lean mass on their bodies.
Why is this a big deal? Well, we all know that having a high body fat percentage can lead to many long term health problems, including but not limited to diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease.
It is also true that if you continue on in life with a higher body fat percentage and a low amount of lean muscle mass that your metabolism will become slower and slower, and eventually this will result in more and more weight gain as you get older.
It is important for all of us to have our body fat composition measured on a regular basis, and to utilize those numbers rather than the numbers on the scale to help create our health and wellness goals.
Once you've obtained these numbers, it’s then time to make and execute a plan.
To drop body fat, you will need to be eating healthy and completing some type of fat burning exercise, and you must also be adding to your lean muscle mass by lifting weights or doing some form of resistance training.
Get with a professional who can help you really assess you and your situation and help you to create reasonable and attainable goals.
Sometimes we all need a little push, help, guidance and accountability.
Be sure to check out next week’s column regarding the miss conceptions of women and weight training.
Jenny Lewis lives in Stanford, owns Straight Up Fitness personal training and is a pro-figure athlete and national fitness model. For more information, visit www.straightupfitness.net or email sufquestions@gmail.com.
