EA made this like real life mostly, according to Pam's post. But in what condition you will start working out doesn't really matter. And that is actually a difference with real life. Fat people are mostly stronger than thin people, just because they already have a workout from taking their body weight with them all the time. They are quicker tired.
For thin people the opposite counts. The should be better with things that requires condition.
According to that: the muscle definition should only appear after doing a lot of training and having a particular diet what force you to eat low fat food for six times a day and sleep well.
But I haven't see that in The Sims so what the muscle definition really affects exactly I'm not sure.