One Pound of Muscle VS. Fat - Are They the Same?

Ok so the truth is that when placed on a scale, one pound of fat is going to weigh the same as one pound of muscle – just like one pound of cement is going to weigh the same as one pound of cotton balls. Where the confusion comes in is that muscle and fat differ in density (muscle is about 18% more dense than fat) and one pound of muscle occupies less space (volume) than one pound of fat. Which ultimately means that they look entirely different when dispersed on the body.

So yes, muscle seems to weigh more because there is a difference in the volume between the two. When an inch of muscle and an inch of fat are measured, the inch of muscle will weigh more. As you add compact muscle mass to the body, body weight may increase. However, pound for pound, muscle and fat weigh the same and when tracking progress on any given program, it is very important to look at all markers of improvement, and not just the numbers on the scale! This is why I tell my ladies not to get so scale obsessed. Gains can be made without the scale moving at times! I like to take progress pictures as true tests of time as well as circumference measurements. Pictures and your clothes don’t lie!

In closing, be patient, be persistent and be consistent- I promise you the results will come! If you need more nutrition advice, shoot me an email. Let’s talk.