Many of us measure our fitness, and that of others, by appearances. Slim people must be healthier than those who carry extra weight, or so we think. The truth is that your size is not the sole indicator of how fit or healthy you truly are. In fact, an individual can carry as many as 20 extra pounds and still have better cardiovascular fitness than her slimmer counterpart. On the flip side, someone can be at an ideal body weight, and still be unfit. Confused? Let me explain.
The Fat Factor
Excess body fat is usually an indicator that a person eats more calories than she burns on a consistent basis. However, you cannot conclude that she doesn’t exercise regularly just because she’s overweight. She may, in fact, follow a rigorous fitness program and be able to run a mile in 9 minutes, box 12 rounds, and complete a triathlon. We’ve seen larger-than-average-sized people perform beyond our expectations and outdo slimmer competitors (remember the Olympics!). Of course, there’s a point at which the excess fat would prevent such athletic exploits. That’s called obesity.
The Real Deal
Don’t get the wrong idea: Just because an overweight person can still be fit doesn’t mean that weight loss is off the table. Carrying more fat than your body needs, especially when it’s around the organs in your mid-section, poses serious health concerns, plain and simple. Exercising regularly may help moderate your risk for chronic disease, but it’s best to lose the weight. Even dropping 10 pounds can have a notable impact on your heart health and reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes.
The Bottom Line
If you’re fit and pack a little pudge, imagine how athletic and agile and amazing you’d feel if you were leaner. Think about it, really. Don’t settle for good enough when you can be at your best.
Alfonso Moretti, Jr., aka “The Angry Trainer,” has been a certified personal trainer for 20 years. He is also a nutrition consultant. You can follow him on Twitter at @AngryTrainerFit.
Source : fitstudio[dot]com
