Weight Progress Pic: Gaining 5% Body Fat and Losing Muscle

Overview

The journey of the reddit user [deleted] is not a happy progress picture. Despite the 5lbs weight gain in 9 months, the noticable increase in body fat and decrease in muscle mass did not bring happiness. The user admittedly stopped working out and this affected their progress. This article will discuss the effects of stopping working out while keeping a similar diet of the same calorie intake and will have scientific information on how it affects the body.

The Effects of Stopping Workouts but Maintaining Same Calorie Intake

Maintaining the same calorie intake while stopping workouts can create an imbalance of burning fewer calories than those consumed in a day. The body still takes in the necessary calories but now it has fewer ways to use these calories. Engaging in regular physical activities such as workouts can improve metabolism and help in the regulation of calorie intake. With stopped workouts and a similar calorie intake, the unused calories may be stored as fats. A research published by the University of Missouri found that low muscle mass can impair glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This may be a reason why the user gained 5% body fat.

Muscle vs. Fat

The user’s progress picture is a clear example of how muscle and fat can have different physical effects despite weighing the same. Muscle and fat differ in density and volume. Muscle is denser and takes up less volume while fat takes up more volume. Therefore, a pound of muscle and a pound of fat weighs the same but look different on the body composition. If the user replaced the 5lbs fat weight gain with muscle, it would have reduced their body fat percentage and increased their muscle mass despite having the same weight.

Takeaway

The journey of the reddit user is a lesson on the importance of workouts in conjunction with healthy eating habits. Maintaining proper workout routines can have eased the body into a proper balance of fat and muscle percentage. It is important to remember that fitness journeys are not solely about weight loss or gain. Results should be viewed in conjunction with the muscle and fat composition of the body. As one reddit user says, ‘Don't focus on the number on the scale, focus on how you feel and how you look. Progress is progress!’

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reddit user’s journey is an inspiration for people to understand the need of regular physical activities in maintaining a healthy and balanced body and not just the pursuit of the perfect weight. While we can learn from the user’s journey, every individual’s journey is unique and they must try things out for themselves to find what works best for their body. Remember to keep healthy eating habits and regular physical activity in sync to achieve the best results.