A Pound of Muscle weight more than and a Pound of fat?

CountryDevil

OK, lets see if we can clear this up....

1) A pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh a pound.
2) A pound of muscle and a pound of fat by "volume" muscle will weigh more.
3) 50 cubic inches of fat and 50 cubic inches muscle is still 50 cubic inches of mass.
4) 50 cubic inches of fat will weigh less than 50 cubic inches of muscle because there is more mass to muscle. Fat cells are less compact that muscle cells. Muscle cells are more compact so they have more mass per volume.

So kiddies, what does this tell us???

Does muscle weigh more than fat? Sure, when you are talking about mass per volume. But does a pound of muscle weigh more than a pound of fat, no. They are still both a pound..

Thank you for participating and listening to CD's Science 101 lesson for the day.

bry_all01

OK, lets see if we can clear this up....

1) A pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh a pound.
2) A pound of muscle and a pound of fat by "volume" muscle will weigh more.
3) 50 cubic inches of fat and 50 cubic inches muscle is still 50 cubic inches of mass.
4) 50 cubic inches of fat will weigh less than 50 cubic inches of muscle because there is more mass to muscle. Fat cells are less compact that muscle cells. Muscle cells are more compact so they have more mass per volume.

So kiddies, what does this tell us???

Does muscle weigh more than fat? Sure, when you are talking about mass per volume. But does a pound of muscle weigh more than a pound of fat, no. They are still both a pound..

Thank you for participating and listening to CD's Science 101 lesson for the day.

BEST. THREAD. EVER. Thanks for sharing for those who are confused. :bigsmile:

TDGee

But what about a pound of fat vs a pound of hair?

CaptainMFP

3) 50 cubic inches of fat and 50 cubic inches muscle is still 50 cubic inches of mass.

I love the spirit here, but as a biology prof I have to point out that cubic inches are a measure of VOLUME not mass. (Your point is correct, but little things like this can undercut the integrity of your point.)

methetree

wait, wait, wait...

so a pound of muscle weighs THE SAME as a pound of fat?!?!?!?!?!

Thanks for clearing that up for me!

DiabeticAlien

That's like a question my high school algebra teacher used to pose...which would you rather have dropped on you, a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers. Doesn't matter, a ton is a ton is a ton....still 2000 pounds, unless it's a metric ton, which is where he was always going with that example. Trying to teach metric measurements.

JohnAsbill

Good catch... you are correct. A pound is a pound. However, a pound of muscle will help you burn off a pound of fat quicker because it takes more calories to maintain muscle than it does to maintain a pound of fat. So the moral of the story is, the pounds you want to put on are pounds of muscle because they will help you take off pounds of fat.

CountryDevil

3) 50 cubic inches of fat and 50 cubic inches muscle is still 50 cubic inches of mass.

I love the spirit here, but as a biology prof I have to point out that cubic inches are a measure of VOLUME not mass. (Your point is correct, but little things like this can undercut the integrity of your point.)

Oops.. you are right... my bad. But the concept is still valid.

badwolf99

and the crowd goes wild with applause! I've been explaining this for years to people that insist that a pound of muscle weighs more than a pound of fat. What? Do they not listen when they speak? A pound of something weighs exactly the same as a pound of something else. Period. A pound of muscle takes up less room in your jeans than a pound of fat - now THAT's saying something!

samlamb

So I've always known this and understood it, but I still get confused with the numbers I see on the scale. For example, I've recently started working out more and I think I've definitely built a little more muscle. The last time I took my measurements they had not changed however, but my weight has gone up 3 lbs.! I am recovering from an eating disorder, so seeing a three pound gain is something that would usually give me extreme anxiety, but I'm trying to stay positive and not worry because I feel as if I am doing everything right. So my question is, is it possible that I've gained weight from building muscle? Or have I actually gained fat as well? How much will my weight go up or fluctuate while building muscle mass? Does anyone have any personal experience to share?

AimingHighWeighingLow

But what about a pound of fat vs a pound of hair?

Comeon there, we know you don't have that worry

erisfreenici

Continuing the science lesson -- how difficult is it to put on a whole pound of muscle? Wouldn't it be supremely difficult to do so in a short period of time (say, one week) when one is eating at a calorie deficit?

AlissaPreuss

LOL! Loving this post!
I think back to a "riddle" my mother once asked me
"which weighs more a ton of feathers or ton of lead?"
a ton is a ton is a ton the true question is which takes up more space!

Tuffjourney

But what about a pound of fat vs a pound of hair?

Comeon there, we know you don't have that worry

Oh no they didnt just say that!?! :laugh:

fbmandy55

That's like a question my high school algebra teacher used to pose...which would you rather have dropped on you, a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers. Doesn't matter, a ton is a ton is a ton....still 2000 pounds, unless it's a metric ton, which is where he was always going with that example. Trying to teach metric measurements.

This^^

Amo_Angelus

Thank the gods, omeone else who understands that 1lb of x weight the same as 1lb of Y whether it's muscle and fat or brick and feathers. 1lb is still 1lb. I apploud you for having the patience to explain it so clearly. I uually just roll my eyes and click away in disgust.

winstonh

Losing weight would be way more fun if there wasn't so much math involved.

Contrarian

Who doesn't know that a pound of whatever weighs a pound? When people say muscle weighs more than fat, I sincerely doubt that is what they mean.

angiolm

It's freakin' Ground Hog Day AGAIN!! :sad:

bry_all01

if only the people who wanted to argue with me over this last night would read this thread....

Jorra

Losing weight would be way more fun if there wasn't so much math involved.

Are you kidding? That makes it so much more fun!

tomomatic

To sum it up: A pound is a pound whether it's fat or muscle or gray matter or bionic implant. Muscle is more dense than fat. If you have the same volume of both, muscle will outweigh fat.

I think we can appreciate the spirit of the myth. I think I've heard trainers say this in the gym, too. But you're right. It's a definite misnomer.

End6ame

tashjs21

Great post...unfortunately sooooo many are still going to miss the point.



Ladies---THROW OUT THE SCALE! (yes I am yelling, it is a point that needs to be yelled)

If you want to measure your progress, do measurements and go by how your clothes are fitting and how you feel. That number is going to drive you insane.

When I was at the height of my fitness, I actually weighed more than when I was at my "skinniest". But I was toned and lean and fit. Where as, when I weighed less, I was what they call skinny fat. I was smaller but I was lumpy and jiggly. :laugh:

MrsCon40

That's all fine and well until you start talking about reams of paper... then all your fancy "math" and "science" goes out the window.

CountryDevil

LOL.. Sorry.. It had to be done...

IronSmasher

3) 50 cubic inches of fat and 50 cubic inches muscle is still 50 cubic inches of mass.

I love the spirit here, but as a biology prof I have to point out that cubic inches are a measure of VOLUME not mass. (Your point is correct, but little things like this can undercut the integrity of your point.)

WTF is a pound by volume is my question. Apparantly that pound weighs more

Kohadre

LOL thats like asking which is heavier - a ton of feathers or a ton of lead.

Both weight a ton, material is irrelevant.

kimmerroze

Thank you, but I think the horse has had enough.

Jorra

That's all fine and well until you start talking about reams of paper... then all your fancy "math" and "science" goes out the window.

When you pick things up with two hands, they are less heavy. It's science.

IronSmasher

That's all fine and well until you start talking about reams of paper... then all your fancy "math" and "science" goes out the window.

Tell me why someone can't pick up a 10lb dumb-bell!!!