It's not about weight, it's about fitness, and one component of being fit is to have relatively low body fat, because fat is not very efficient, whereas muscle is.

In this quote, Deborah Bull, a former principal dancer with The Royal Ballet and a well-known advocate for health and fitness, challenges common perceptions about weight and emphasizes the importance of overall fitness. When she says, "It's not about weight, it's about fitness," she is urging people to look beyond the number on the scale and instead focus on the quality of their physical health. Her perspective reflects a shift away from superficial measures and toward a more holistic view of well-being.

Bull elaborates by highlighting the significance of body composition, stating that "one component of being fit is to have relatively low body fat." This doesn’t mean that everyone should strive to be extremely lean, but rather that excess body fat can hinder physical efficiency. She contrasts fat with muscle, explaining that muscle is more metabolically active and functionally useful for physical performance. This is particularly relevant coming from someone whose career required strength, endurance, and agility.

Her point underscores the importance of functional fitness—how well the body performs in real-world or physically demanding situations—rather than just looking slim. She wants to shift the conversation from appearance-driven goals to performance-based and health-driven goals. This kind of mindset promotes sustainable habits and encourages people to value how their bodies move and function, not just how they look.

The origin of this quote comes from Bull’s public commentary on health, dance, and wellness, often shared through interviews, books, or public lectures. As a professional dancer and later an advocate for arts and fitness policy, Deborah Bull brings a uniquely informed perspective, combining scientific understanding with firsthand physical experience. Her words serve as a reminder that fitness is multidimensional, and that strength and function matter far more than numbers on a scale.