Why is Losing Fat from the Midsection So Difficult?

Some people are lucky enough to have balanced, proportional weight distribution, but others might naturally carry more of their weight in certain areas of the body. Ask anyone which parts of their body they find most difficult to slim down, and it’s likely that a large percentage of them will say it’s their stomach area—namely the belly, hips, and love handles. These are some of the most requested areas for a fat freezing cosmetic technique called CoolSculpting®, according to Westlake Village’s Pierre Skin Care Institute, and it’s easy to see why. Both men and women can have a thicker midsection because of genetic predisposition, hormones, or their body not properly dealing with insulin. When you start losing weight by monitoring your calorie intake, making other changes to your lifestyle, and working out a lot, it’s likely that you might lose weight from other areas first, instead of the ones you’re most concerned about.

For example, plenty of women shed weight from all over, but especially the face, while men are likely to lose visceral fat—the deep hard fat that’s hidden behind the muscle wall on the abdomen and surrounds the internal organs—during the internal process of weight loss. Sometimes, people just want to reduce their weight on the scale for health reasons, such as lowering the risk of chronic diseases, while others might be more concerned about making certain isolated areas smaller in order to get a leaner look.

Unfortunately, you can’t spot reduce specific areas this way, and we also can’t do anything to alter our genetics. Losing excess weight has tons of health benefits, but it can be frustrating when you are still stuck with fat on the flanks and belly area—even after reaching your goal weight. Men naturally have more fat cells around the flanks, so this is often the default place for the body to “dump” extra fat throughout their lives. Meanwhile, women may notice that they start having more weight around the belly area during perimenopause and menopause, but some are also naturally apple-shaped from the time they’re young. Women usually want a slim waist to emphasize their curve,s while a narrow waist in men gives them a more V-shaped torso.

While difficult-to-manage fat can be frustrating, don’t lose hope just yet. CoolSculpting® is an ideal way of solving this problem for people who have tried all other methods and haven’t been able to lose the soft, wobbly fat that sits below the skin on the abdominal area. This nonsurgical fat-reduction treatment can directly target the fat cells in these areas. The freezing technique destroys those fat cells, and once the body flushes them out, they can’t grow back. There are also some other techniques you can use to help you get rid of belly fat, though they might not work as well as CoolSculpting®:

Change How You Exercise

Many people focus almost exclusively on cardio when they’re at the gym. While running and cycling can indeed help you achieve weight loss, you need to also prioritize weight training to build some muscle. Squats, lunges, and rowing can make a big difference to the appearance of your torso area because these exercises make you use so many of your abdominal muscles.

Lower Your Stress Levels

If you’re constantly stressed out, levels of cortisone are probably high in your body, and there may be too much inflammation, leading to an expanding waistline. There are various ways to reduce stress—and what appeals to one person may not be right for another. Cut down on stress by taking more time for yourself and participating in activities that you enjoy.

Get more advice on fat reduction for problem areas with CoolSculpting® from Westlake Village’s Pierre Skin Care Institute. Reach out to them by calling 805-496-9190, or submit a contact form online to request a consultation if you’re ready to learn more.