Why is fitness more important than weight loss?

Many people work out because they want to lose weight and look better. In this video, fitness expert Tony Horton, creator of the P90X fitness program, explains why having such a narrow goal can backfire.

Fitness is more important than weight loss simply because optimal weight does not always mean optimal health. Often, these weight loss and fitness move in unison; as you become fitter,  you lose weight, as you gain weight you are likely less fit. However, you can be fit and be classified as overweight. In addition, you can have the appearance of being an appropriate weight and be unfit.  

Fitness is described as having good health or physical condition secondary to exercise or nutrition. Optimal weight, however, does not mean you are in good health or in good physical condition; in fact, it is quite possible to be in poor health and poor physical condition even at an optimal weight. The best bet is to maintain a healthy diet and participate in regular physical activity. If you do, you will become physically fit and potentially obtain an optimal weight.    

Fitness is about strength (physical, respiratory and cardiovascular), agility, mobility, and flexibility. A person can be all those things and be overweight.

Some people who have the highest BMI are actually very fit, like body builders, heavy weight lifters and athletes.

For many, weight loss is a 'destination to be reached.' Often, we get caught up in the hype of quick fixes and fad diets without considering long term solutions. While weight loss is extremely important for your health, especially if you are struggling with obesity, it is important that your weight loss is sustainable and done in a healthy way. Sustainable weight loss does not happen overnight. By adopting and practicing healthy habits you will lose weight over time. These healthy habits are fitness.

Fitness is becoming physically active (and making good nutrition choices) until healthy habits become a lifestyle. Weight loss is simply a by-product of fitness! Keeping the weight off is the long-term effect of living a fit lifestyle.

Avoid the weight loss hype and false expectations. It will only end up sabotaging your health. Fitness first and the weight loss will follow!

I am going to use the term I use many, many times; "It depends."

I think it can be argued that weight loss for some is probably more important.  For those that are massively obese and weight can put too much stress on joints, cause severe low back and knee issues as well as the weight and pressure that is put on organs then weight is the biggest consideration.

For those who are massively overweight, sometimes they do not have the ability to exercise and be very active until weight loss occurs.  The majority of the time fitness is more important than weight loss but for those with an extremely high BMI then weight loss can at times be more important.

For those massively overweight, getting weight off is the most important factor.  Once weight decreased the ability to move increases and fitness improves.  This is not always the case but I do not think it is fair to say that fitness is more important than weight loss because it just really depends on the situation.

For most; an improvement in cardiovascular conditioning, muscular strength and reduction in body fat is far more important than what the scale says.  But for those who are massively obese I would argue that reducing weight and gradually increasing fitness levels is the probably the key.

Also keep in mind that many of those who are massively overweight also have some sort of psychological issues that need to be dealt with as well.  I am not saying always but many times psychological issues need to be dealt with as well.

There is no doubt that exercise is king and is the biggest predictor to long term fitness success; however, for many they have to lose weight first before they move appropriately.

Fitness is more important than weight loss for several reasons.

1. Fitness is a more comprehensive measurement. It encompasses flexibility, cardio training, strength and stress management as compared to weight loss which is a very narrow focus.
2. Weight loss as a main focus can be very discouraging. While it can be an indicator of progress, muscle weighs more than fat, so as people start a workout routine, they often gain muscle and lose fat. If the muscle that is gained is greater than the fat lost, they scale may even show a slight increase
3. Things like body fat percentage and circumference measurements or how clothes are fitting can be a much better indicator of positive health  changes.

• Aerobic fitness reduces your risk of death by over 35%.
• Aerobic fitness is a stronger predictor of longer life than weight
         alone.
• Being a couch potato -- overweight and aerobically unfit -- more  
         than doubles your risk of death.