Speaking of fat...

Great Article on BambooFitness about muscle pounds versus fat pounds:

One Pound of Fat Versus One Pound of Muscle:

Clearing up the Misconceptions

A Pound is a Pound

Many people say that muscle weighs more than fat, but in reality, a pound is a pound. One pound of fat is going to weigh the same as one pound of muscle – just like one pound of bricks is going to weigh the same as one pound of feathers. The difference is, muscle and fat differ in density. Muscle is about 18% more dense than fat.  One pound of muscle occupies less space (volume) within the body than one pound of fat.

Five Pounds of Muscle Compared to Five Pounds of Fat

By looking at the photo below, you can see that five pounds of muscle (pictured on right) is going to take up less space in the body and be a lot less “lumpy” under your skin and in between your organs than the same weight in fat (shown on left).  In fact, the difference can be quite dramatic. I would much rather have five pounds of smooth, lean, dense muscle tissue inside of my body than five pounds of amorphous, bulky, gelatinous fat, and I am guessing you would too!  Besides being more compact in the body, there are also many health advantages to increased muscle mass.

Benefits of Having More Lean Muscle Mass   Having more muscle mass in your body will:

• Create a leaner physique
• Reduce your risk of injury
• Increase strength, stability, power and endurance
• Improve balance and mobility
• Improve the way you feel about yourself
• Increase energy and vitality
• Improve athletic performance
• Create metabolic reserve in times of traumas such as (car accidents and burns)
• Increase your metabolic efficiency
• Improve insulin sensitivity and improve blood glucose control

Click here to read more about  the last two benefits listed:  ”Increase your metabolic efficiency” and “Improve insulin sensitivity and improve glucose control.”