Somewhere in here is a Q about gaining lean muscle but not appearing toned. My basic theory was that ppl have fat in different areas than others. Some ppl have bigger legs, some have bigger chests, some have bigger bellies, etc.

To add to that notion...I went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago this weekend, and saw the "Body" exhibit. This exhibit consists of cadavers that were "plasticized" - real dead bodies preserved via plastic infusion - whose skin was removed, fat and saline disolved, only muscle and organs exposed...and I saw and learned a LOT about how the body is affected by poor maintenance.

Case in point - there was a slice of an obese man. This man weighed 330 lbs at death. There were two slices - one of the outer leg, one of the entired body.

The fat was clearly visible and it was pointed out that in the obese, the fat not only accumulates subcutaneously (i.e. just beneath the skin), but also inside the organ cavity and inside the muscle and organs!

This, proves, to me, that the ability to see "ripped" muscles is doubly difficult in the previously obese because they have the added difficulty of losing even more fat inside their bodies.

All is not lost!!! I personally know a few people who previously obese have dedicated themselves to a fit lifestyle and after 15 months have lost this inner body fat as well.

It can be done! Don't be discouraged! Keep going! You will do it! Just know that your tone isn't quite there yet because there is more fat to lose inside your muscle and organs.

Yep - and that "visceral" fat (the fat between the organs) is much more dangerous to health than the subcutaneous fat - it's the kind of fat that is really highly associated with diabetes, heart disease, etc.

Have you ever touched a "beer belly"? Some of them are actually really rock hard! That's because the fat stored in the stomach tends to be more visceral fat, so it's under the firm muscle layer.

Interesting! Thanks for posting this info.

Yep. I would guess the beer belly comment would take genetics into consideration. My mom's stomach fat is more like goo. My dad's is rock hard. She is more over weight than he, yet he had the heart attack.

Why they have the 2 kinds of bellies? Genetics? Anyone know? My belly fat is like goo, too. But I always attributed that to having 4 kids.

i would guess the goo vs hard bellies are based on if the fat is visceral or not, my stomach if def gooey but if i clench my stomach i can feel the hardness of my abs under a tick layer of the goo... I know i likely have fat in the abdomen that is visceral as well, just that particular layer isnt