I've lost count on the number of times I've heard this statement... so is there any truth to it?

Saying that your muscles can turn into fat is like saying that diamonds can turn into glass. Muscle and fat are two different types of tissue on your body! You simply cannot turn muscle into fat, or fat into muscle.

Perhaps you're thinking to yourself.. "then what about the big muscular guy in my gym who quit for a few months but became ridiculously overweight?"

Well, what happens is that when people decide to go off their weight training programs or take a break from the gym, they start losing a little bit of muscle due to the sudden inactivity (which is perfectly normal).. this also tends to lower their metabolism. Not only that, but most people would also almost always neglect their diet as well when they take a break from the gym.

Bad eating habits + a lower metabolism +lower muscle mass all add up in the long run and will make it seem as if the person's muscle is being turned into fat - while in reality, what is actually happening is that precious muscle is being lost and fat is being accumulated.

So, if you're one of those who have taken a long break from weight training and you're in pretty bad shape as described above, all the while believing that it's only 'normal' for it to happen.. well... the truth is that its your carelessness that has made you look this way.

For everyone else, the next time someone cautions you never to stop weight training because your muscles will turn into fat... you know now that it's simply not true.