This topic is very well established in the current fitness industry, If you’ve well-built abs, people consider you fit, if not, then you know the way people behave!
While binging on youtube, I went through a video of two sumo wrestlers, discussing their training regimen. Initially, I used to believe that they carry a lot of fat mass, they’re extremely unhealthy. But when I started researching about it, my stance on this topic changed.
In this article, I’ll try to cover the real definition of Fitness!
So, Can you be fat and still be Fit?
The short answer is Yes, the long answer is, it depends.
Let’s discuss why!
Fitness is an umbrella term and can’t be defined in isolation.
There are many aspects and variables of it, the way the body processes fats, activity levels, hormones, cholesterol levels, cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, mobility, and whatnot.
All of these variables play an important role in the maintenance of a person’s health and fitness. When Body fat%, in isolation, is considered the only mark of fitness levels, things start getting a little bit confusing.
Body Fat percentage is the ultimate tool, but the body’s tendency to store fat in the subcutaneous region is more prominent.
Let's take an example of Sumo wrestlers, as per the current fitness industry’s standards, they are the most “unfit” athletes in the world, until you see this!
There are different regions where the body primarily stores fats. Naming Subcutaneous and visceral regions.
Fats around the subcutaneous region are considered a bit safe when compared to visceral fats! All the major lifestyle hazards are associated with visceral fat and are extremely hazardous to health. The sumo wrestlers may look unfit, but a CT or MRI scan will show that the major chunk of fat they store is only around the subcutaneous region, not the visceral one. They’re just humungous machines, made up of a lot of muscles, covered behind layers of fats, to help them in their sports.
Even their training routine consists of several hours of weight lifting and endurance training. If we are looking at the other aspects, they’re one of the fittest people in the athletic world.
This was about the exercise and body fat percentage. One more benefit of exercising vigorously and consistently is, that body can redirect the excessive fats and can store them around the subcutaneous region! The peptide hormone adiponectin actually affects the body’s ability to save fats into safe deposits, not around the vital organs.
Problems start when they come off their routine and don’t cut the extra bulk.
Another example is a person who is staying somewhere between 15-18% body fat and is working out regularly and doesn’t indulge in activities that can increase the body fat percentage. They carry suboptimal amounts of fats and are metabolically healthy and fit. It is now the part of being mentally comfortable with your shape and body fat percentage, which is also not affecting your metabolic health as well as physical health.
The general definition of the Term ‘Fit” is so flawed that people generally claim that sub 10% Body fat is healthy and fit, Having a lot of muscle mass is necessary. But this nomenclature is wrong.
Fitness should be something that keeps you active and can help you improve your health and your day-to-day activities. If sub 10&% is too hard for you to achieve, 15-18% is still healthy. If you can’t control your food habits, it is alright to stay with a submaximal fat percentage and keep on lifting.
People who promote extreme leanness as a definition of Fitness generally have a bad relationship with food, don’t enjoy the social situation,s and are very rigid about their body image.
Not everyone can do that, and not everyone has to do that.
Yes, you can be Fat and still be Fit!
