Is it really possible to turn your overweight fat into great looking muscle?

Question

I am on a diet right now and was 60 lbs overweight. Now I am 30 lbs overweight. I have been walking for over an hour nearly every day for 3 months. I was curious is it really true that you can turn that fat into muscle?
Is this a way you can turn a negative into a positive by turning the fat into strong arms and chest?

Answer 1

Fat doesn't turn into muscle but you can lose fat and gain muscle.

Losing weight is a simple equation: if you burn more calories than you eat, the weight will come off. Start off by estimating how many calories you burn each day using the calorie calculator http://straighthealth.com/pages/tools/caloriecalclb.html This will give you an idea of how many calories to eat. Healthy weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. To lose 1 pound per week you need to create a calorie deficit (burn more than you eat) of 500 calories per day. To lose 2 pounds a week, you have to double the deficit to 1000 calories per day. You can achieve this by eating less, exercising more or a combination of both. For more information on diet, weight loss and exercise, visit http://straighthealth.com

Guide to Dieting - http://straighthealth.com/pages/guides/dieting.html
Diet/Fitness Forums - http://forums.straighthealth.com/

Answer 2

It actually depends on how far the skin is stretched out from the weight loss. Congratulations on your weight loss thus far! I think when the fat is minimal, its easier to turn it into muscle. Since you have a more significant amount of fat, it may not be easy to turn into muscle but that is not to say it cannot happen...if your skin is really strecthed out and saggy, there is no way to actually alter that except surgically. If the fat is firm fat or a bit squishy, there is a better chance that it can be turned into muscle.

I used to have fat on certain areas of my body that is complete muscle now so it happens but I have never had a drastic weight gain or weight loss over 10-15 ponds. Its different strokes for different folks I suppose...good luck though

Answer 3

well put it this way...
You have some fat and some muscle.
If you are unfit your muscles are weak, small, and if you're fat you have loads of fat covering up your muscles.

Once you lose fat only then can you see your muscles. But if you don't use your muscles you won't have much definition.
Building muscle burns off fat so when you decide to build up your muscles you automatically lose fat through movement and your higher metabolism. So it is like you are slowly "replacing" fat with muscle.

Keep in mind muscle weighs more than fat. ;-)

Answer 4

No, you cannot turn fat into muscle. The more you exercise you will burn the fat and replace it with muscle, but the diet is important because, if you just exercise and develop muscles and don't diet to lose weight the fat just sits on top of the muscle and you can look twice as big.

Answer 5

Excerise builds muscle, burns fat, and tones the musculoskeletal system to use calories more efficiently. Insufficient exercise may allow an accumulation of fat cells that are stored for later use (during dietary stressful times). That's why some metabolisms reverse and no visible weight loss happens...the metabolism slows during rigid dieting because the body is made believe (through absence of food) that it must adjust for your survival.

It looks as though you are on track and making good progress toward your goal. Muscle is built by resistance. Try getting some inexpensive hand weights (Wal-Mart at about $1 per pound per weight) and use them as you walk to add muscle and provide resistance. It will also help you to burn more calories during your regular walking regimen.

Congratulations on your 30 pound loss...keep up the good work...and see the site below for some interesting information on dieting and exercise. It is offered (free of charge) by the United States Department of Agriculture...and it is fun to use.

Answer 6

Helo James - Cant b done! Tissue is Fat or muscle. Can't make one into the other. Gota work Ur muscles or U gain fat, unles U dont eat ( no opton ). Do fun things or normal activity a bit more intensely. What U enjoy doing may get best result. Use big muscles - back, legs & arms. Dont give up. Cut hi calorie - fats & sweets & improve nutrition. U made progres & r near Ur goal!

Answer 7

ok myth fat doesn't turn into muscle but it can replace it yes.. the best thing to do is to cross train.. lift weights two days a week and walk or do some cardiovascular exercise the other 3 or 4 you will really notice a big difference.. the best thing about lifting weights is the muscle protects your bones...

Answer 8

It's not rocket science - eat less & exercise more - when youve lost the fat build & tone your muscle with more exercise & healthy eating - there is no quick fix it takes time determination & discipline & strength of character - nothing worth having in life is easy & you only get out of somthing what you put in.
well done on your great start your doing really well.Set yourself achievable goals & achieve them one by one.if you dont want to be fat & would like to be fit & strong have you thought about joining a military reserve unit army/marines,they will get you fit & strong believe me & you will get paid to do it.If you dont fancy joining up then I strongly recomend you follow the Royal marines fitness program the U.S marines do the same sort of P.T & you can download them off the net. Good luck.

Answer 9

Fat is fat. When you exercise more than you eat you lose fat. You have muscle under ALL the fat. When you exercise..you are using your muscles, which get stronger and bigger. So, keep up the good work.

Answer 10

muscle cells are myocytes and fat cells are adipocytes they are totally different cell structures. it would be like turning an apple into a orange.

as you continue to exercise and your insulin sensitivity increases you will most likely start to gain some muscle. the body composition is a direct reflection of insulin sensitivity.