What's being asked...

One reader asks:

    When muscle forms, does fat turn into muscle or does muscle form underneath the fat cells?   -Courtney, NYC

 Very common question.

Both fat and muscle exist in your body. However, one does not turn into the other. When you work out and get stronger, in order for the muscles to sustain themselves, they need energy(calories). And where do we store most of our calories? Fat cells. So, in order to feed the muscle, the fat cells are broken down to release the "food" for your muscles. When this occurs, the fat cells will then shrink-but they will always be present.

Conversely, if you are not working out, the muscles do not need as much energy, so the fat cells will hold onto any extra calories that come into your body, and therefore, expand.

These fat cells are located throughout the entire body. Some on top of muscles, and some underneath. When too much fat builds up anywhere, it can be very detrimental to the body's organs as well as it's overall function.


So, what should we all take away from this? Keep those muscles hungry:)

 

-J