We see a lot of people nowadays touting how they are fat and healthy.

The evidence of this misguided thinking can be found all over the place – social media, in magazines, and any other type of media you might peruse. This misguided, and delusional thinking is exacerbated by those who are pushing the fat acceptance movement – and so-called social media influencers. Instagram is full of these people who will tell you to celebrate your obesity, and that you can be fat and healthy at the same time. While there is some vague truth to being fat and healthy at the same time – the question that must be asked is “for how long?”

The idea that someone can be “fat and fit” — that is, overweight but still healthy — has been around for some time. But don’t be fooled! Sooner or later, you will pay for your obesity with your health and well being. Sure, your blood labs, blood pressure and such might be healthy enough for today, but will they remain healthy ten to twenty years from now?

Are you willing to bet your life on remaining fat and healthy?

It is foolish to believe that you can ignore that science is quite clear in that excess weight can carry considerable health risks, including a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. The term “healthy obesity” is fundamentally flawed since people who are obese, even those who are “metabolically” healthy, are still at increased risk for a host of health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and overall increased risk of mortality. Just because some “nutrition guru” on Instagram says different, it does not make it true.

Body fat percentage is what is critical!

I believe that the antiquated thinking that goes along with Body Mass Index (BMI) is flawed. At 58 years old, I stand five feet, seven inches and weigh 183 pounds with only ten percent body fat. By BMI, I am obese and need to lose weight despite being very physically fit. If I had all the same measurements, but had twenty five percent body fat instead of ten percent, my health is going to suffer at some point if it does not already. For this reason, here at David’s Way to Health and Fitness, we always emphasize the importance of body fat percentage over any certain weight you might want to achieve as a goal for weight loss. We want you to actually lose fat and to be healthy instead of being light enough to fit into skinnier clothing. Your body fat matters!

My doctor told me that I am healthy despite being over weight. 

People who are overweight can be considered healthy if their waist size is less than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men, and if they do not have two or more of the following conditions:

High blood pressure

High blood sugar

High cholesterol

However, doctors advice that often goes ignored after the patient has been told they are healthy is  that they should not gain additional weight, and, preferably, they should lose a few pounds! Obesity and its related diseases claim many lives each year. The annual figure was initially estimated at 400,000, but was recently revised to 112,000, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

But don’t go running to the candy store quite yet. These findings are promising only if all the other factors are in order, such as waist circumference, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, no smoking, and a lack of significant medical problems or family history for chronic diseases.

The bottom line is to never let anyone tell you that you can be fat and healthy without considering the long term consequences. You might be healthy today, but you may be quite unhealthy in the future.

Whether you are currently fit or not, it is unwise to carry too much unhealthy white fat.

White fat is the kind we are most familiar with. It is found under the skin (subcutaneous fat) and is wrapped around our organs (visceral fat). As it accumulates inside our abdomens, it gradually pushes the abdominal wall further and further outwards until we are sporting a hefty beer belly.

Excess amounts of white fat, particularly in the abdominal area, have been linked to debilitating health conditions such as sleep apnea, asthma, chronic cough, gastrointestinal disorders, gallstones, fatty liver, kidney failure, chronic fatigue, estrogen dominance, loss of libido, infertility, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, nerve damage, chronic pain, cognitive decline, auto-immune disease, varicose veins, blot clots, osteoarthritis, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. The fat that accumulates around our middles is the main culprit.

The take away point is – even if you are fat and healthy right now, you still need to get down to a healthy body fat percentage. As we age, we are prone to become less and less active over the years until we might even become couch potatoes. When you are comfortable with being fat and healthy, you will remain comfortable with being fat once you have become unhealthy.

Being fat does not make you an ugly or bad person. Your heart may be pure and you are a beautiful individual, but you are not immune from the complications which can arise from obesity. The folly of Fat Acceptance and Self Lovely really need to die on the vine. These movements are just as destructive, if not more so, than girls of the past believing they should grow up and have bodies like their Barbie Dolls. We can help you to achieve a healthy body fat percentage if you follow our free plan here at David’s Way to Health and Fitness. There will never be a charge for anyone to follow our website.

For more of David’s Way to Health and Fitness, follow us at Fit and Healthy Living with David’s Way.  Give us a like and a follow today!

How Much Do You Know About Losing Weight, And Keeping it Off for Good?