That skinny Fat question again

LastTenPoundsGodDamnYou
LastTenPoundsGodDamnYou Posts: 101 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I am not sure if this makes sense, but I keep seeing people confused about why they have lost weight but their body fat percentage has not come down......i.e. now they are "skinny fat"

Here is an attempt to explain how I think that works.... if anyone needs it:

Yes your % will stayed the same as it is a % of your total body weight.

As you have reduced your body weight in total, you have reduced your fat by the same proportion when measured as a %

200lbs @ 30% fat = 60lbs of fat

100lbs @ 30% fat = 30lbs of fat

Percentage the same....fat much less....see?

The only way to lower body fat % is to turn the fat into something else (preferably muscle through higher protein and more weight bareing (Sp) exercise)

Is this right?

Replies

  • mandylooo
    mandylooo Posts: 456 Member
    Yes, up to the last 2 paras. You can't "turn" at into muscle - you lose fat and add muscle.

    To lose fat, you need to eat a calorie deficit, to gain muscle you need to eat a calories surplus with plenty of protein. This makes it difficult to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time, so what most people do is do resistance exercise whilst they are on diet to keep the muscle they have whilst losing the fat. It's also why you shouldn't lose weight too quickly as you will lose muscle as well as fat.
  • Anonymou5
    Anonymou5 Posts: 92 Member
    If your 30% fat you can lose fat and gain muscle.

    If your 10% fat you will have a rough time trying the lose fat and gain muscle.
  • LastTenPoundsGodDamnYou
    LastTenPoundsGodDamnYou Posts: 101 Member
    Fair points and good clarifications - I think between us we got there! :bigsmile:
  • LastTenPoundsGodDamnYou
    LastTenPoundsGodDamnYou Posts: 101 Member
    I didn't mean to actually turn fat magically into muscle, I meant mathematically speaking of course!:laugh:
  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    stenght training will help you to lose fat and minimazie muscle lose

    then you could aim for this fe:

    200 lbs 30% bf = 60lbs fat, 140 lbs lean mass
    100 lbs 20%bf = 20 lbs fat, 80 lbs lean mass

    think about this: lean mass is organs, muscles, bones, blood and skin
    so if your bf% stays same, it means that in terms of % you have lost more muscle than fat (as most likely your bones, organs and blood weight didn't reduce that much)
    therefore if your bf% stayed the same, you really have to lower your deficit and incorporate lifting weights!
  • LastTenPoundsGodDamnYou
    LastTenPoundsGodDamnYou Posts: 101 Member
    stenght training will help you to lose fat and minimazie muscle lose

    then you could aim for this fe:

    200 lbs 30% bf = 60lbs fat, 140 lbs lean mass
    100 lbs 20%bf = 20 lbs fat, 80 lbs lean mass

    think about this: lean mass is organs, muscles, bones, blood and skin
    so if your bf% stays same, it means that in terms of % you have lost more muscle than fat (as most likely your bones, organs and blood weight didn't reduce that much)
    therefore if your bf% stayed the same, you really have to lower your deficit and incorporate lifting weights!

    exactly
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