Experts tell why stubborn fat lingers in certain areas and how to get rid of it.
Whether it's your thighs or the tops of your arms, most of
us have one area of our body that we wish as firmer and more toned. Unfortunately, the
fat in some areas refuses to go, no matter how many spin classes or push-ups
you do. "Men and women are programmed to store fat in different ways. This
is a legacy of our hunter-gatherer days when women were responsible for looking
after and feeding the children,' says the cosmetic doctor Dr Dennis Wolf from
The Private Clinic of Harley Street.
"Even though the way we live has changed dramatically,
the way our bodies function hasn't yet evolved. This means that women are still
prone to storing fat in particular areas, including the hips, bottom and legs."
Bazaar spoke to a number of experts, including Dr Wolf and
Chris Walton, the head of personal training at Embody Fitness, to discover the
best approach to tackling body fat…
1. Upper arms
"Bingo wings develop as women age due to loss of skin
elasticity and accumulation of fatty material, which creates that 'saggy' appearance," says
Dr Wolf. "A lack of exercise can also exacerbate the problem."
The treatment:
Vaser liposuction, a minimally invasive procedure performed
under local anaesthetic, can remove small pockets of fat and shape the upper
arm area for a more defined finish.
The exercise:
Walton recommends swapping isolated exercises, such as bicep
curls, for compound movements like push-ups (or kneeling push-ups), which
involve multiple joint movements, and encourage fat loss and improve muscle strength.
2. Bottom and thighs
"Hormones and age can cause fat to settle around the
pelvis, bottom and thighs," says Dr Galyna Selezna from Dr Rita Rakus
Clinic. "Women also burn fat differently and lower-body fat can be
trickier to shift."
The treatment:
A gentle fat-removal procedure can combat the 'banana roll',
which is the term for the pocket of fat in the fold just beneath your
bottom," says Dr Wolf. However, he cautions against removing too much, as
this can cause your bottom to sag.
The exercise:
"Exercise won't necessarily lead to fat loss in the
desired area, but deep squats, hip bridges and lunges will develop a good
muscle structure and will tone thighs and give your bottom a lift – without
surgical help," says Walton. Taking a regular spin class and keeping your resistance
high, will help tone your thighs and lift your bottom, too.
3. Hips and stomach
Sugar and hormones are the most common causes of fat
accumulating around your tummy and hips. "A thick middle is often a sign
that your body isn't handling insulin very well, which often results in fatty
deposits around the waist," says Dr Wolf.
The treatment:
"Cool Sculpting, a procedure that freezes fat cells
without damaging the skin, which can remove the stubborn fat areas that no
amount of exercise or dieting can get rid of," says Dr Selezna.
The exercise:
"There is less muscle around your hips, but abdominal
exercises that utilise lots of muscles, such as squats, lunges and rowing, will
have the biggest impact on these areas," says Walton.
High-metabolic-training classes, such as Barry's Bootcamp, TRX and Form
Pilates, will help boost your metabolism and fat loss. Walton also recommends
side planks to give your waistline extra definition.
4. Double chin
This effects both men and women and is as much related to genetics
as it is to age. "With age, your skin loosens and you lose muscle tone,
which causes this area to droop or to appear 'wobbly'," says Dr Wolf.
The treatment:
"A skin-tightening treatment or a non-surgical face
lift is optional, but I advise patients to approach the latter as a last
resort," says Dr Wolf.
The exercise:
It's tricky to target this area specifically, however Face
Gym in Selfridges offers a non-invasive facial workout treatment to target your
chin.
From: Cosmopolitan
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