From “Bingo Wings” and “Love Handles” to “Fat Back” – Where You Store Fat
Fat Holds The Key To Your Health.
Everyone has stubborn fat you just can’t shift, whether its love handles or back fat. Maybe you obsess over bingo wings, or know your stomach will never be flat, no matter how much you diet and exercise.
Until recently, it was thought our body shape and fat deposits were due to our genetic makeup – turns out this is only part of the story. According to new research, the way fat accumulates around our body reveals far more about our health and diet than we thought, and the key to getting rid of those wobbly parts forever is to understand why you pile on the pounds in certain places.
The wrong foods, hormonal imbalances, stress and toxins can also determine where we store fat. Weight doesn’t go on evenly all over, and while it’s largely genetic there are certain lifestyle factors that determine where fat is deposited.
The Problem: Stomach Fat
The Cause: Stress
Stomach Fat has been linked to stress levels. When we’re stressed cortisol is released from our adrenal glands and this causes the body to lay down fat around the stomach. A recent study at Yale University found that even slim women are more likely to have excess abdominal fat if they regularly feel stressed. Why does enhanced cortisol exposure led us to accumulate abdominal fat you ask. That’s because abdominal, or visceral, fat has more cortisol receptors than fat anywhere in your body. That’s why stressed people from all walks of life store fat around their stomachs.
The Cure:
The good news–you dont have to spend hours on the treadmill – in fact too much cardiovascular exercise can create excess cortisol. You need a balanced workout that includes weights, yoga or pilates and cardio – a balanced workout. Working out without over doing it is a great way to reduce stress.
Stomach fat can also be caused by imbalanced gut bacteria. Too much sugar, grains, alcohol, salt, and junk food feed gut bacteria. Try cutting them out and take a good probiotic.
Foods that restore cortisol balance and so can help flatten your stomach include lean protein, green vegetables, olives and sweet potatoes.
The Problem: Back Fat
The Cause: Your Body Can’t Process Carbs
Many women store excess fat around their shoulder blades. This can be due to your body not handling carbohydrates efficiently. Telltail sign–fat spillage all around your bra strap – hate it!
The Cure:
First of all eliminate grains and refined carbohydrates (such as white rice, pasta and sweets) from diet. Instead eat clean diet of lean protein, fresh vegetables, fruit and lots of water. Short bursts of high-intensity exercise also helps. Try circuit or spin classes.
Resistance work for upper body using free weights and machines should help shrink your back.
The Problem: Bingo Wings–upper arms chunky and rough to touch. Your armpits spill over a strapless dress.
The Cause: This can be due to toxins in your system.
There was a recent study about BPA (Bisphenol A) a toxin found in everyday products like plastic bottles. BPA puts a toxic load on your body and excess fat is one side effect. Within three days of eliminating BPA’s there is a 77% decrease in BPA’s in the body. Bottom Line: Never heat up anything in a plastic container and try and limit the amount you drink from a plastic bottles.
The Cure:
Triceps Dips, Triceps Extentions, Resistance Work that targets upper body. Eat clean to detoxify the body
The Problem: Love Handles–You can grab a handful of fat from each side of your waist
Cause: Too Much Sugar
A thick waist with excess fat can be a sign that your body isn’t handling insulin well. A sugary diet can result in fatty deposits around the waist.
The Cure:
This type of fat can also be due to stress, like stomach fat. Antioxidant rich food such as berries, variety of fresh vegetables an green tea can stabilize blood sugar levels.
In terms of toning up, love handles can be fairly stubborn and don’t always respond well to targeted exercise. However, love handles do respond well to exercise such as Bikram Yoga (Yoga done in heated studio). Sweating is a good thing.
30 Second Exercise Tip of the Week
GLUTE SQUEEZE
Ok here’s something that’s good for every body!!
You can do this anywhere and anytime you’re sitting down.
Lets work that butt.
–Sit up straight
–Squeeze your gluteus maximus muscles otherwise known as your Butt
–Hold for 5 seconds
–Here we go 1-2-3-4-5-
–Do 4 sets of 5 squeezes
Keep Squeezing!
