Hard fat vs soft fat

lemonsurprise

Purely out of curiosity, what's the difference, if there is any?
Sometimes you'll see big people who seem to have really solid fat, especially on their stomachs. I guess I see this more in older males more than anything. And then there's other who have "soft" or flabby fat. Why?

dopeysmelly

Purely out of curiosity, what's the difference, if there is any?
Sometimes you'll see big people who seem to have really solid fat, especially on their stomachs. I guess I see this more in older males more than anything. And then there's other who have "soft" or flabby fat. Why?

This is a good question. I don't know the answer but I have noticed that I started out with "hard" fat, and as I lost the weight it became "softer". I guess the fat is depleted over the whole body as you lose it, and the fat cells contract as a result.

I'd like to know from more knowledgeable posters..

stealthq

Hard fat is visceral fat - the stuff that is packed around organs, striated through muscle, etc.

Soft fat is subcutaneous fat - the stuff just under the skin that you can pinch and move.

However, there is also the phenomenon that as you lose fat, the area that was really packed with fat becomes less so, and feels squishier. This is prior to skin tightening back up, etc. Can't tell from your post if you are referring to this type of phenomenon or no.

lemonsurprise

Oh yeah, I can understand how if you lost weight the skin wouldn't be as tight so it would feel looser than before but what causes that hard fat and why don't some people have that?
The typical "hard fat" that I'm imagining is on someone with a "beer belly". They won't usually have rolls of fat and look almost bloated.

Liftng4Lis

However, there is also the phenomenon that as you lose fat, the area that was really packed with fat becomes less so, and feels squishier. This is prior to skin tightening back up, etc.

And then what happens?

stealthq

Oh yeah, I can understand how if you lost weight the skin wouldn't be as tight so it would feel looser than before but what causes that hard fat and why don't some people have that?
The typical "hard fat" that I'm imagining is on someone with a "beer belly". They won't usually have rolls of fat and look almost bloated.

That's visceral fat. Some people put on a lot of visceral fat relative to subcutaneous. Some do the opposite. It's the visceral fat that is supposed to have the most negative effect on your health. WebMD has an article describing the different types of fat: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-truth-about-fat?page=2

However, there is also the phenomenon that as you lose fat, the area that was really packed with fat becomes less so, and feels squishier. This is prior to skin tightening back up, etc.

And then what happens?

Unknown.

There's a theory that the fat cells are filled with water temporarily. Then it leaves, for whatever reason. That is supposed to partially explain sudden drops in weight, and that is when the area would tighten back up.

But like I said, it's just a theory. No evidence that I know of to show whether there's any truth to it.

WalkingAlong

A lot of people find they get 'squishy fat' before a 'whoosh' or significant drop in weight. I do. I've seen it talked about on diet forums for the past ten years, so it's either a myth with real legs or there's something to it, I figure.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html

Kalikel

I have had lots of times where the fat gets way more squishy and then I lose a bunch all at once, or very quickly over a period of days.

It's evening out more now. I'm more squishy than I used to be all over. I lose less in bursts, more here and there.