“Sit-Ups Make You Fatter”

When I spot a headline like that, I have to click on it to see what they’re talking about. And I usually end up disappointed because it’s about some product to help you lose belly fat. What about the sit-up claim? They say doing crunches or sit-ups or leg lifts will make the muscle under the fat bigger, thereby pushing the fat out farther, and giving you the appearance of being fatter.

Baloney. Sit-ups won’t make you fatter and those products they’re pitching won’t help you lose belly fat. But it does merit a look at the types of fat, where it’s stored, and what you can do about it.

The most obvious fat is the type you can see and pinch: subcutaneous fat. Literally, that means it’s right under the skin. We can see the rolls and bulges. It doesn’t make us happy and, in fact, can make us feel bad about ourselves. I can’t tell you to stop feeling that way because I feel the same way at times.

But there are two things that are important about it. First, it’s a form of protection against famine; not that famine is likely on this continent, but it’s a reserve energy supply. Second, it’s not as metabolically active as intra-abdominal fat, which is found underneath the abdominal muscle. I’ll talk more about that on Thursday.

What are you prepared to do today?

Dr. Chet