Q: I am overweight, but I work out regularly. Is it possible for someone to be fat but fit?
A: There has been a lot of attention in the news media lately about the concept of "fat but fit." Part of the interest stems from the fact that more than 60 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. That is an alarming percentage. The bottom line, however, is that if you are overweight or obese, you are at greater risk of dying earlier than a person who has maintained a healthy weight – even if you exercise.
Exercise a Good Start
This doesn't mean that your body isn't benefiting from the exercise that you do. It is. And in fact, your risk for certain diseases definitely decreases with regular exercise. But your weight is one of the most important indicators of the health you will experience over your lifetime. The risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and others, significantly increases if you are overweight or obese.
The body mass index (BMI) is one measurement used to determine a healthy weight. The BMI is a mathematical calculation that includes your height and weight. A BMI between the ranges of 18.5-24.9 is considered to be healthy. A BMI of 25-29.9 suggests you are overweight, and a BMI of 30 or greater suggests that you are obese. These determinations are based on years of studies that show that the risk of dying from various diseases increases as the BMI approaches 25 and significantly increases in the obesity range. This fact stands alone. So even if, as an overweight person, you work out on a regular basis, you are still at greater risk than a person at a healthy weight of dying early because of your weight.
It will be the rare person who is both exercising regularly and eating right who will be overweight or obese. Stay on that healthy track, and you should eventually reach a healthy weight. Some people think that they can just work out but not pay attention to what they eat. While your body definitely benefits from the exercise, it suffers if there is a lack of proper nutrition.
Fit Vs. Healthy
The fact that someone is overweight or obese doesn't necessarily tell you whether he or she is "fit" from an exercise standpoint or not. In fact, you can be overweight and still be "fit." However, as you see from the above, you still may not be very healthy.
Regular physical activity is crucial for health. It has been proven that regular physical activity can help to prevent many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and others. In addition, regular physical activity is an essential part of the equation for maintaining a healthy weight. Remember, in order to maintain a healthy weight you have to burn off what you take in. And, in order to live a long, healthy life you have to watch what you eat! |
