Stubborn fat, problem areas and how to manage them

Almost everyone, male or female, has a “problem area” where they seem to deposit fat. Body contour bugbears are predictable – men want a “six pack” while women want thinner thighs and to lose the “tummy”.  These areas are called “problem areas” simply because they are the places that fat is stored first, and is most difficult to dislodge – an issue that applies more to women than men. Research shows that regional fat loss depends on your sex (not your workout routine!).

Where the fat goes

Women store fat in their lower bodies, this includes the upper thighs, hips and butt (thunder thighs, saddlebags, muffin top?!) and also on the back of their upper arms. However, after the menopause this changes when estrogen levels decrease and women start to accumulate more fat in the abdomen (like men). Men tend to store fat around their waist and thus struggle with abdominal fat, which includes their lower abs, lower back, the sides of their waist and visceral fat (harmful fat).

Stubborn fat area

Illustrating areas of stubborn fat in women (front and back) and men (front only)

Where the fat comes off

Women are inclined to experience fat loss first in their trunk and arms, then lastly their lower body (hips and thighs). Generally weight loss is most noticeable early on in areas where there is little fat, such as the clavicles. Though depending on body shape, men generally tend to lose fat first from their trunk, followed by their arms and then their legs. This means that although men tend to store abdominal fat, it is also one of the first place they lose it. Hence, men tend not to struggle with stubborn fat as much as women.

Why do women struggle to lost fat from their lower body?

Reason 1 – difference in fat cells in lower body:
Fat cells have two types of receptor: Alpha-receptor (inhibits/ prevents the breakdown of fat) & Beta-receptor (stimulates/ encourages the breakdown of fat). In the hip and thigh region in women, the fat cells have more of the receptors that prevent the breakdown of fat than in their abdominal region.

Reason 2 – difference in enzymes:
We all have an enzyme called lipoprotein lipase, which promotes fat storage in the lower part of the body in preference to the upper part of the body. Women have 3 to 5 times more of this enzyme. Anthropologists have suggested that since the reproductive organs require protection, this has led to a natural tendency to store fat in the lower body.

Can you reduce spot fat?

Sadly, you cannot spot reduce. You cannot, no matter what those miracle touting websites or miracle workout gurus claim, pick an exercise and lose fat only from one place. In order for you to lose weight in your problem area you have to lose fat everywhere – and then use the following techniques to attack the spot fat.

Aqualyx

Non-surgical body contouring