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Weight Loss

What is Stubborn Fat? Causes and Ways to Reduce It

Stubborn fat can refer to body fat that is particularly resistant to being burned off through diet and exercise. It’s typically found in certain body parts and can be disheartening trying to pursue it. The detail is provided below:

1. Find the most Common Places of Stubborn Fat

For Men: Lower belly, love handles.

For Women: Hips, thighs, and buttocks.

These areas also have a higher density of fats and are under the influence of genetics.

2. Reasons Why Stubborn Fat is More Resistant to Burning

Fat Cell Receptors:

Fat cells have generally, two types of receptors which include alpha-2 and beta-2.

Alpha-2 receptors inhibit fat burning while beta-2 receptors promote fat burning.

Stubborn fat has a greater number of alpha-2 receptors making it less exposed to fat burning efforts.

Inadequate Blood Supply:

There are some, however, that have less circulation, these are the stubborn or hard to get rid of areas as these have trouble releasing the stored fat for destruction.

Insulin resistance:

Hypoinsulinemic conditions are fairly low within the cells of the certain subcutaneous body regions. These may contain more fat cells that are more prone to storing fat with less energy expenditure.

3. Hormonal Factors

Estrogen: This female sex hormone significantly influences fat deposition in women and its major deposits are in the hip and thigh region.

Cortisol: Chronic stress can cause adrenal dysfunctions and cortisol overproduction which can also promote the growth of abdominal fat.

4. Role of Genes in Fat Accumulation

From genetics, we can determine where the fats get layer on our body and how obstinate that fat might be.

5. Age and Stubborn Fat

With aging, the metabolic rate tends to decline, and burning fat gradually becomes less effective.

The accumulation of fat in resistant sites can be promoted by hormonal fluctuations, particularly during menopause.

6. Stubborn Fat Strategies

  • Caloric Deficit: Sustaining a regular caloric deficit helps in decreasing total fat.
  • HIIT: Good for boosting metabolism and focuses burning fat.
  • Strength training: Muscle is created which leads to enhanced metabolism and fat utilization.
  • Cosmetic procedures: Such as cryolipolysis or liposuction for stubborn areas.
  • Diet changes: A high protein low carbohydrate can assist in reducing fat in stubborn areas.

7. Stay Focused

When fat loss occurs in the body, the most resistant of the ‘stubborn’ fat is the last to be shed.

After 3-4 weeks, the same diet and exercise regimen is likely to pay off.

All these aspects will assist you in designing a plan that is likely to be more effective against stubborn areas.