Fat And Fit

In a culture that is obsessed with slimness, the idea of being fat and fit draws some skeptism.  The concept of being fat and healthy is nothing short of mind-boggling.  Yet Jenny is both and she is not alone.

At any given weight, physically fit people are healthier and live longer than couch potatoes.  Most fit people are not overweight and most obese people are not fit.  But it is definitely possible to be fit and overweight or unfit and have normal weight.  Because muscle weighs more than fat, highly fit people especially men can be overweight even though they have very little body fat.  Conversely, some sedentary people can have a total weight in the unhealthy range but still have lots of body fat and less lean muscle mass.  This problem is widespread especially among older people because they normally lose muscle mass as they age.

It is not the number on the scale or the size of your pants that harms.  It is the health-related medical problems that come with being obese.  If you eat well, work out regularly and walk away from your doctor’s clinic with a clean bill of health, it does not really matter if you cannot fit into slim-cut jeans.

In a nutshell, if you are not overweight or obese but do not exercise, you may still be unhealthy.  If you are mildly overweight but fit and healthy, you should refrain from gaining more weight but does not necessarily have to lose weight.  At any weight, every one should do a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise such as brisk walking most days of the week.