Muscles are heavier than fat, right?

nads1012
nads1012 Posts: 55
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been going to the gym for about 4 months now, really enjoying it. Trying to watch what I eat, but I like my burgers and biscuits and I don't want to become a gym fanatic.
I was actually quite normal size before I started and just wanted to tone up a bit and lose a couple of kilos. I've noticed I tone up really quickly, so I reduced my weight training and increased my cardio. I go to the gym 2 x 2hrs a week.
I can tell I look a bit slimmer and toned BUT I'm putting weight on. I assume muscles are heavier than fat? I just wanna lose 3 kgs, I can't seem to shift any weight on those typical female areas while the rest of my body is toning up. Any tips? I know about nutrition, watch what i eat (in moderation) and no, I don't wanna go on a diet that I can't keep up for very long anyway.
Any tips for a more fat burning workout? What to eat in particular before/after workout?

Can anyone recommend any fat burning supplements that include appetite suppressants? Nothing too strong though and is there anything specifically for women?
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Replies

  • CassieLOL
    CassieLOL Posts: 34 Member
    I'm pear-shaped (thighs are bigger than the rest of my body) and I know exactly what you're talking about! It helps to switch up your cardio routines alot, while still strength training. Like instead of running all the time, try the stair master, biking, zumba, etc. (: Anything to differentiate really helps! Watching what you eat is a big majority of it too. Unfortunately for me, my problem area still hasn't gone away, though it has slimmed. Sometimes you're body is just built like that and you have to embrace it!
    And yes, muscle does weigh more than fat.
    Also, I've heard to take protein 30-45 min after a good strength workout and carbs before an intense cardio workout.
  • Colonel_Brandon
    Colonel_Brandon Posts: 256 Member
    Muscle has 10x the density of fat.
  • Polly758
    Polly758 Posts: 623 Member
    I can tell I look a bit slimmer and toned BUT I'm putting weight on.

    ...

    I just wanna lose 3 kgs,

    If you are smaller, then what's the problem?

    Take your measurements and look for changes there.

    Or buy a pair of pants that you can barely fit into and aim to fit in them.

    There's more to this than weight, especially when you're talking 3 kg.
  • leska1216
    leska1216 Posts: 260
    Muscles are heavier than fat? A pound of muscle, a pound of fat, and a pound of feathers are weigh a pound. No, muscles are not heavier than fat. Also, when exercising, fat does not turn into muscle, fat is fat, muscle is muscle, and feathers are feathers. They do not change and become something else.
  • rebelontherun
    rebelontherun Posts: 192 Member
    a pound of muscle and a pound of fat weigh the exact same. However, a pound of fat takes up much more room than a pound of muscle would.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Muscle has 10x the density of fat.
    seems very unlikely. Iron is less than that.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    *sigh* When people say "muscle weighs more than fat", they don't actually think that a pound of anything weighs more or less than a pound of anything else. Stop being pedantic. That's my job.
  • rocketpopsicles
    rocketpopsicles Posts: 170
    For this post, I promise you are going to get A LOT of:

    "a pound is a pound" related replies.

    SEEING as I believe you mean that if you have the SAME volume of each, the muscle would be heavier.
    and yes this is true.

    :)
  • Jynus
    Jynus Posts: 519 Member
    would you want a number on a scale to be low but look like ****, or would you want a number on a scale to be high, but look amazing?

    Seriously, the things people complain about. "Help, I'm continually looking better, but an arbitrary number on a machine noone else will ever see is not moving like how i want it too. What do I do?" gag
  • kiachu
    kiachu Posts: 409 Member
    I've been going to the gym for about 4 months now, really enjoying it. Trying to watch what I eat, but I like my burgers and biscuits and I don't want to become a gym fanatic.
    I was actually quite normal size before I started and just wanted to tone up a bit and lose a couple of kilos. I've noticed I tone up really quickly, so I reduced my weight training and increased my cardio. I go to the gym 2 x 2hrs a week.
    I can tell I look a bit slimmer and toned BUT I'm putting weight on. I assume muscles are heavier than fat? I just wanna lose 3 kgs, I can't seem to shift any weight on those typical female areas while the rest of my body is toning up. Any tips? I know about nutrition, watch what i eat (in moderation) and no, I don't wanna go on a diet that I can't keep up for very long anyway.
    Any tips for a more fat burning workout? What to eat in particular before/after workout?

    Can anyone recommend any fat burning supplements that include appetite suppressants? Nothing too strong though and is there anything specifically for women?

    Muscle is more dense than fat and takes up more space but unless you are doing some sort of specific bulking/muscle building protocol I doubt you are getting heavier because of muscle. "Toning" is not indicative to production of muscle mass. You probably are losing some fat but retaining fluid.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    A pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh a pound...

    However, I can tell you that in my own personal experience, when you start building muscle, the number on the scale is less important. about 9 years ago I was trying to lose 20lbs, and I took measurements before I started. This time around I started out 50 lbs heavier than I was back then. About 5 lbs ago I found my measurements... in 2004 I weighed 175lbs and wore a size 14. A few months ago I weighed 205lbs and wore...wait for it...a size 14! My thighs and hips are SMALLER even though I weigh 30lbs more. My waist and belly are only about an inch bigger. I may be a size 8 or 10 by the time I hit 175lbs, and my goal is 145lbs...
  • onedayillbeamilf
    onedayillbeamilf Posts: 966 Member
    Muscles are heavier than fat? A pound of muscle, a pound of fat, and a pound of feathers are weigh a pound. No, muscles are not heavier than fat. Also, when exercising, fat does not turn into muscle, fat is fat, muscle is muscle, and feathers are feathers. They do not change and become something else.

    Wait....so you're saying the feathers don't turn in to reams of paper? :sad:
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    Muscle has 10x the density of fat.

    this. Muscle is denser, therefore takes up less space than fat. BUT a pound is a pound whether it's fat or muscle, so NO muscle DOES NOT weigh more than fat. period.
  • SofaKingRad
    SofaKingRad Posts: 1,592 Member
    NADS,
    MUSCLES DO WAY MORE THAN FAT! THEY R HEAVIER CUZ THEY R MUSCLES. SO LIKE 1 LB OF MUSCLE WEIGHZ MORE THAN 1 LB OF FAT ,MAKE SENSE?
  • WestCoastPhoenix
    WestCoastPhoenix Posts: 802 Member
    27727813.jpg
  • KittieLea
    KittieLea Posts: 1,156 Member
    Okay so if I have a pound of mussels and a pound of fat, the pound of mussels will weigh more, right?

    But what if they're shelled?
  • Robin_Bin
    Robin_Bin Posts: 1,046 Member
    Muscle is about 18% denser than fat. For more information and references, see http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Robin_Bin/view/how-much-does-a-pound-weigh-295817.

    To the OP, there's nothing you can eat to "burn fat" -- at least nothing I've ever seen reputable research on.
  • mlegosz
    mlegosz Posts: 74 Member
    Just take measurements of yourself and ignore the scale. Look for body fat % calculators.

    Good luck!
  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,861 Member
    Even though I know muscle weighs more PER A GIVEN VOLUME than fat, it's still hard to get used to the fact that I'm gaining weight. I got so conditioned that loss is good and gain is bad it's a tough adjustment. But as I work out and eat more, the tape measure assures me all is well.
  • timbeck1986
    timbeck1986 Posts: 17
    god i cannot gain muscle or lose fat.
    i cry everynight i dont see the scale go down!
  • RobinvdM
    RobinvdM Posts: 634 Member
    I've been going to the gym for about 4 months now, really enjoying it. Trying to watch what I eat, but I like my burgers and biscuits and I don't want to become a gym fanatic.
    I was actually quite normal size before I started and just wanted to tone up a bit and lose a couple of kilos. I've noticed I tone up really quickly, so I reduced my weight training and increased my cardio. I go to the gym 2 x 2hrs a week.
    I can tell I look a bit slimmer and toned BUT I'm putting weight on. I assume muscles are heavier than fat? I just wanna lose 3 kgs, I can't seem to shift any weight on those typical female areas while the rest of my body is toning up. Any tips? I know about nutrition, watch what i eat (in moderation) and no, I don't wanna go on a diet that I can't keep up for very long anyway.
    Any tips for a more fat burning workout? What to eat in particular before/after workout?

    Can anyone recommend any fat burning supplements that include appetite suppressants? Nothing too strong though and is there anything specifically for women?

    If all you are looking for is fat burning - do not turn to supplements, that is silly hype nonsense and only does more harm than good in the long run. While you tone up you are developing your muscles more, increasing their density which winds up burning some fat stores and could create an increase or non drop in weight. I would just keep what you are doing, cardio increases the health of your cardiovascular system which can/will burn off fat stores -it could just take a while since you have so little to lose. I have heard rumors accordingly imply.

    Good luck!
  • Colonel_Brandon
    Colonel_Brandon Posts: 256 Member
    Muscle has 10x the density of fat.
    seems very unlikely. Iron is less than that.

    sorry... guess i didn't set off your sarasmeter.

    i was exaggerating, but bottom line is that muscle is more dense than fat. meaning, 1 pound of muscle takes up less room than 1 pound of fat, by a decent amount.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    Serious answer to your question:
    There are appetite suppressants and other weight loss drugs. But the ones that work require a prescription and they are not dramatically effective.Unless you are seriously obese, your doctor will probably try to talk you out of experimenting with them.
    That said, you may not lose weight as fast as you might like if you work out. But you are going to look a whole lot better if you are fit and in shape, and, eventually, I bet the weight will come off as you naturally become more intense about exercising.
    I am hungrier when I exercise a lot. You may be eating a little more than you used to now that you are working out.
  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
    27727813.jpg


    :laugh:
  • FormerMarine1
    FormerMarine1 Posts: 1,128 Member
    Muscle weighs more than fat in area (density) I weigh 222 now but people think I weigh 190 because I have more muscle than fat if that makes sense. I used to weigh 240 and people thought I weighed more because fat takes up more space making your body appear larger
  • _VoV
    _VoV Posts: 1,494 Member
    *sigh* When people say "muscle weighs more than fat", they don't actually think that a pound of anything weighs more or less than a pound of anything else. Stop being pedantic. That's my job.

    Well said, Contrarian.
  • wk9t
    wk9t Posts: 237 Member
    Muscle is denser than fat ... not heavier.
  • DOElston
    DOElston Posts: 102
    1 lb of anything weighs exactly the same as 1 lb of anything else. 1 lb is 1 lb.

    As others have said, it's a matter of density.

    In other words, 1 lb of muscle takes up less space in the body than 1 lb of fat. So, if you weigh 160 lbs and you're athletic and fit, you will be SMALLER than a 160 lb person who has extra weight in body fat and sits around all day.
  • _Timmeh_
    _Timmeh_ Posts: 2,096 Member
    NADS,
    MUSCLES DO WAY MORE THAN FAT! THEY R HEAVIER CUZ THEY R MUSCLES. SO LIKE 1 LB OF MUSCLE WEIGHZ MORE THAN 1 LB OF FAT ,MAKE SENSE?

    So i need ta loose more muscle wayght than fat wayght ta evn out?
  • scagneti
    scagneti Posts: 707 Member
    Muscles are heavier than fat? A pound of muscle, a pound of fat, and a pound of feathers are weigh a pound. No, muscles are not heavier than fat. Also, when exercising, fat does not turn into muscle, fat is fat, muscle is muscle, and feathers are feathers. They do not change and become something else.

    Wait....so you're saying the feathers don't turn in to reams of paper? :sad:

    :laugh: Hooray!! Callback!

    Man, how long ago was that?

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