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Nov 6, 2012

TOFI or FOTI?

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I've been reading this Yahoo article about top excuses for not exercising.  I had to laugh at no. 6 because normally, people do hate exercising.  But I also think it's also about the mind set.  If you know it's good for you, you'll do it anyway even if your body doesn't want to.  Anyway, what really caught my attention is item no. 4 of that article that mentions a bit about TOFI.  It's a new term for me, but the concept, I realize is something that's already lodged in my brain, having read about that from somewhere.
First, let's get a bit more acquainted with the fat terms. The visible fat just under the skin is termed subcutaneous fat. People with healthy body mass index (BMI) appear leaner and therefore, this fat is not much of a concern, at least on a superficial view.  Appearing lean, however is not a reason to claim one is healthier than the overweight people in general. It seems that a more pressing concern involves an excess of the visceral fat, the one that is in between our vital organs such as the liver and heart.  This concept of outer and inner fat leads us to the term TOFI which is an acronym for thin outside, fat inside

I must admit, before, I used to think that only overweight people get hypertension and cardiovascular disease.  That was a long time ago, when I didn't have hypertension.  I have always been lean, thin even.  It's only just a few years ago that I gained some bulge but I'm still generally lean. Yet, almost a year ago, I've gone a bit overboard with my bad cholesterol level which has a direct link with visceral fat.  And as you know, I am still into medication because of essential hypertension.  Talk about bursting my bubble.

It's interesting, what I've read in this article that mentions sumo wrestlers.  You'd think that with that huge size and BMI's that go to the morbidly obese level that they would simply keel over one of these days, carrying all that excess baggage of fat.  The test subjects however are the perfect example of the opposite of TOFI which is FOTI or fat outside, thin inside.  Confusing?  I know!  It's like saying I am more likely to die of a heart attack than they do lol!

All these concepts, it's like turning upside down, inside out right?  So what am I driving at?  Well, first, I think we should stop being fixated on outward appearances and obsessing on our body shapes.  Appearing overweight is probably not always as bad as we picture it.  On the other hand, appearing thin is, like I said, no reason to gloat and feel complacent about.  Second, fat is good and is actually necessary for vital functions, but only in the right proportions.  Good things in excess is bad in the long run.  So how do we achieve a good balance?  It still boils down to proper diet and a good amount of daily exercise.  It's  a package deal and you can't just focus on one.  

So, is it a TOFI or a FOTI?  Neither.  A better choice would be to be fit and healthy, both on the inside and the outside.  Tough, but it's something we could all work for, right?


62 comments:

  1. Hello health buff. Being a lover of food, I thought TOFI was associated with TOFU and that was the reason your post caught my attention, lol. However upon reading I now understand why there are some runners even fitness instructors who do not look fit yet have the stamina to exercise.And your post somehow has enlightened me.

    I really hope one day we could meet. Stay healthy !

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  2. Your post is very educational. Thank you so much.

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  3. Hey there, fellow health buff :-) TOFI reminds me of candy hehe. I couldn't make anything of FOTI lol! Yes, I know about those runners. Makes me feel ashamed on my first run, when women much larger than me kept running, huffing and all but still running...and I was thinking how could that be that I am almost out of breath? I took it as a personal challenge :-)

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  4. Being FIT inside and out is the way to go. Thanks for the article and thanks for citing useful resources as well so we can read further about it.

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  5. I need to exercise soon, I am gaining...my belly is way to big for my height...sob..sob...

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  6. Thanks for the reminder!

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  7. You remind me, I still haven't done my exercise routine. I'm still waiting for my pair of sneakers from Boardwalk haha. I wanted to be fit so I can tend to my responsibilities with a healthy disposition if it makes sense. :) http://rizawritten.com

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  8. Honestly though, I prefer TOFI :D Coz I find it easier to tone up than to lose the fat. I know of one FOTI though, and I'm always amazed at how he doesn't look like he runs faster and takes longer before losing breath.

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  9. I'm thin, but healthy :) I'm glad that even if I have a body of an highshcool student, my resistance is strong Masha'Allah. Pwera usog. I hope to under the FIT category. Minsan kasi parang under weight na ako hahaha!

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  10. I think I'm TOFI! I read the article, #1 and #3 hit me hard! =(

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  11. Being FIT is certainly important ad I'm striving to be FIT.

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  12. This is nice atricle. I really need motivation not only to shed extra pounds but to be healthy.

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  13. True! Being thin doesn't mean healthy and the same way is true for fat people. It's more of lifestyle and how you handle everything in moderation. :) BTW, your blog is really interesting!

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  14. this week's my first in sooo many months that i wont be guilty passing by your blog aileen... hehehe this time i have an excuse not to exercise too much... :D baby on the way!!! :D hehehe :D

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  15. FOTI. Used to be like that. Now I'm Fat IN and OUT. So I've got to get fit!

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  16. i just had my weight checked and im very happy to say that my viceral and subq fast are withing normal amount.. so as my bmi...

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  17. That's great! I've had my first body fat analysis last month, but I am not really that confident with the results because of the instrument used. The most accurate way is expensive though.

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  18. Congrats sa baby Charm! Yup, don't exercise too much.

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  19. Thank you Meikah. Nice to see you here.

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  20. Being aware is a start...we can always do something whatever our health condition is.

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  21. Do strength training and a little muscle building to sustain your good physique

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  22. Hope you get your shoes soon so you can move it move it! :-)

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  23. Do it the slow but sure way...don't be too hard on yourself sis. You'll achieve your goals in the long run.

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  24. Hi, Charm, congrats!!! You can try yoga for pregnant women.

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  25. Hi, Aileen. I should have myself checked din pala. I am one of the many who work out practically every day, but still have that big tummy bulge haha

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  26. My colleague and running buddy is even more active than I am because she plays badminton. Ironically, she still has a big tummy...I think it's the food, in her case hehehe...

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  27. Haha ewan ko ba. running gives me such a high. It gives me such a good feeling that I want to eat everything in sight haha

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  28. i learned a lot from this article.. i really need to be more concern about my health early as now. people die young nowadays.

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  29. agree...very informative

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  30. Gosh, I should measure myself as well. But no denial im FIFO (fat inside fat outside) and have been struggling to lose weight... i need a regular exercise really. =(

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  31. This is informative! Thanks for sharing! I think I am FOFI! Hehe!
    How do sumo wrestlers do it, I wonder?

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  32. hmmm, just read the article and I feel guilty! haha.. Though I have 101 reasons why I don't exercise.

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  33. Farida Jane TiongsonNovember 9, 2012 at 7:30 AM

    Just recently, I decided to continue visiting the gym no matter what. The benefits I get from exercising is incomparable to when I do it alone at home because of the many excuses I find myself being lured to. Btw, thanks for all the help regarding my domain. I hope I can fix it soon. I sought help from a colleague's husband who'll hopefully help me resolve the issue :)

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  34. And I'm one of those who seldom workout because I look thin. Kaya pala my tummy is big kahit payat ako. Hehehe.

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  35. whoa! i must admit that this is awakening. Im not health conscious, but I think I need to start paying attention na.

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  36. Looks like i have to get myself checked. I got a bulge too. heheh

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  37. Nice info.. Ako naman ay FOFI - Fat Outside Fat Inside.. :)

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  38. Grace | Domestic DivaNovember 9, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    reading the comments before me made me feel guilty. i love to move but when it comes to working out, patay ang katawang lupa ko. sana nakakapayat ang paggagala sa mall. hehehe

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  39. Sis. exercise yang walking around the mall...maybe low impact cardio but definitely better than being stationary..nakakapayat din ng bulsa yan lol!

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  40. I still have to find a gym nearby...good for you there's one near you...I do hope your problem with domain registration would be resolved soon sis. I know how frustrating that is.

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  41. I don't know how those big guys pulled it off...but apparently, they just store fat on the subcutaneous region...unsightly but not as threatening as the TOFI people

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  42. Lol, ladies you're all amazing, coming up with a third one, the FOFI or FIFO....but that's double whammy, I think. At least now we are more aware. Hopefully, we'll all take action

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  43. Sis kung panay fresh veggies at fruits dyan sa inyo kakainin mo, siguradong se-sexy ka lalo plus all that running. :-)

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  44. Hihi, kambing lang naman ang peg hehe. But seriously, goal ko yan in 3 months (or 3 years?). Somebody from DOH who gave us a seminar said she lost 5 inches fr her tummy in 1 month lang daw by drinking veggie juice (surprisingly, grossed out siya sa veggies kaya she needs to mix it sa blender.

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  45. FOTI/TOFi, really new terms. Very informative post sis. I know a friend who has high cholesterol level even if she's super thin. In fact, she don't eat pork. Maybe it runs through their family and of course that triggers because she loves eating high cholesterol foods.


    Mommy Maye

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  46. This is very informative. Sana FOTI ako hahaha... wish ko lang. Pero feeling ko, FOFI ako. Blessing normal pa naman ang blood pressure ko.

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  47. Walking is a good form of exercise! Kahit na sa loob ka lang ng mall maglakad ng maglakad... Burns lots of unwanted fat according to my doctor.

    Now that I'm pregnant, the only exercise that I can do is walking -- until recently when I feel dizzy and tired most of the time and found out that my RBC is going down while the WBC is getting too high :(

    It's hard to exercise when pregnant... But I really love to cos I'm scared to be blown big again when I gave birth to my previous one -- from 110lbs pre-preg wt, I grew to 280lbs on the day of delivery =(

    http://www.thejoyfulcrafterph.com
    http://www.peachyalvarez.com

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  48. I'm here again, I should hit the mall today and tomorrow for an exercise..hehe

    my 2nd visit from ComEx 11/6

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  49. Eterna-Pinay Mom's CareNovember 10, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    being health conscious and some doing exercise is really a must for me, I think I'm FOTI now.

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  50. Aileen!!! I started jogging na! But after the initial 2kg drop, the kilos aren't dropping further T-T Jogging won't help much pala. I need to "run". I can feel myself fitting on my clothes again though :p

    but I think it's also because I still eat unhealthy food / meat (just in small portions). I need to fix my diet and commit to it!!

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  51. Khimbyrlee EerlrybmihkNovember 11, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    I think I'm average. :) I make sure that I exercise everyday.

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  52. Oh dear, I live a sedentary life and am gaining weight fast. I'm petite though so I don't really look that fat although I feel sluggish and all from the extra weight. I guess I'm now TOFI. I really should start exercising soon.

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  53. Woohoo! Way to go! You lost 2kg in such a short time! That's a very significant drop ha. You're right, diet plays an important role din.

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  54. Whoa! That must really feel so heavy, no wonder pregnant women walk slow and labored ang walking. Yes, malling is a good exercise talaga, even the wallet seem to thin out lol!

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  55. Genetics indeed play a vital role also, and we have no control over that. We just simply do what is in our control like proper diet and good amount of exercise.

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  56. TOFI and FOTI hmmm interesting acronym but I think getting fit is still the best just make sure to have a complete diet and exercise.

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  57. How does one test the fat inside? I have feeling I am FOFI. :D

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  58. oh! I really need to exercise! :-)

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  59. Thanks Marie! hmn... will have to try looking for a dvd or youtube of that... yoga is alien here in zamboanga hehehe :-)

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  60. I think I would agree with you Aileen. I would like to be fit and healthy too at the same time. Well, if we could achieve both by disciplining ourselves, why not? I know that it's hard to strike a balance between having good foods and exercising but in the long run, it would be super beneficial for us. I think, it our mind set that would make us succeed on this.

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