A lot of it comes down to genetics. Some people can't put on weight and are extremely lean, thus showing a muscular physique.
One major factor is muscle mass. Muscle tissue is denser than fat tissue, meaning it takes up less space in the body but contributes more to overall weight. If you engage in regular strength training or have a naturally muscular build, you may appear thin but weigh more due to the increased muscle mass.
Maybe you've heard this one: “Which weighs more, a pound of muscle or a pound of fat?” Short answer: They weigh the same (a pound is a pound!). But they sure don't look the same. In other words, a pound of fat has a much larger volume.
It could be a number of factors. Maybe you have a smaller bone structure. The bigger the frame, the more mass you can pack, and the bigger you look (and actually are). Maybe you are pretty lean.
You can tell by checking for increased strength, firmness, or definition in muscles, and tracking body measurements. Muscle gain often feels firmer and more toned, while water retention and fat gain feel softer and may show up as bloating or general weight increase without added strength.
Muscle is denser than fat, meaning a kilogram of muscle takes up less space in your body than a kilogram of fat. So, even if you gain muscle and your weight on the scale increases slightly, you can appear slimmer and more toned.
You may become underweight for many different reasons. You may be born naturally small and your low BMI can be due to your genes. You may have a very high metabolism and find it hard to put on weight, even if you eat foods that have a lot of calories.
Mesomorph. This somatotype has an athletic, strong build with wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and low body fat. Think of the typical build of sprinters or soccer players.
Stopping smoking and avoiding alcohol may help reduce skinny fat. Additionally, a lack of physical activity may increase the risk of developing skinny fat. Similarly, regularly exercising may help reduce skinny fat. No specific treatments exist for people with a MONW body type, according to a study from 2016 .
A few people have high BMIs but don't have much body fat. Their muscle tissue pushes up their weight. Kahan points to very muscular people, like football players or body builders. “Their BMI shows up pretty high, and yet their body fat is actually pretty low," Kahan says.
Normal ranges for muscle mass are: Ages 20-39: 75-89 percent for men, 63-75.5 percent for women. Ages 40-59: 73-86 percent for men, 62-73.5 percent for women. ages 60-79: 70-84 percent for men, 60-72.5 percent for women.
While many studies showed that high lean body mass or skeletal muscle mass was associated with high levels of insulin sensitivity and/or metabolic health [43,44], many other studies also convincingly reported that high lean body mass was associated with a metabolically unhealthy phenotype [45-49].
You're doing the same workout sessions
Although aerobic exercise is important for keeping your heart strong and managing stress, doing too much cardio, not eating adequately and avoiding strength training may lower your metabolism, which will leave your body thinking it needs to conserve energy.
Diagnosing weight types with BMI
Underweight: Less than 18.5. Optimum range: 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight: 25 to 29.9. Class I obesity: 30 to 34.9.
This ratio of weight to height is known as the body mass index (BMI). People who are overweight (BMI of 25–29.9) have too much body weight for their height. People who are obese (BMI of 30 or above) almost always have a large amount of body fat in relation to their height.
Women with a 0.7 WHR (waist circumference that is 70% of the hip circumference) are rated more attractive by men in various cultures. Such diverse beauty icons as Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and the Venus de Milo have ratios around 0.7; this is a typical ratio in Western art.
Ectomorph: This is when the body is lean and slender and tends to have less body fat and muscle. People with this body type can often find it challenging to gain weight in the form of muscle or fat.
When it comes to long-term relationships, women aren't as interested in big, muscular guys as we think, and many women actually prefer a thinner fellow. But what they're most interested in is how kind, intelligent, and confident their partner is, with kindness being the most important element.
A person's build depends largely on genetic factors, which is why it is difficult for a naturally thin person to put on weight. The human body can change to a limited extent through weight training and increased food intake. Gaining or regaining weight can be just as difficult as losing weight.
This phenomenon is called “starvation mode,” and while your body isn't actually starving, it will naturally hold onto whatever calories it receives in an effort to help you maintain your energy balance.
Underweight is a condition when the body weight is 10-20% less than the average expected for one's height, age and sex. If the body weight is less by 20 % or more than ideal body weight, the individual is grossly underweight and it is a matter of higher concern.
Water weight is not usually a cause for concern, but it can be uncomfortable and recurring. Reducing salt and carbohydrate intake, keeping hydrated, and frequently exercising are all good ways to lose water weight and prevent it from returning.