“You cannot overexercise your fat, nor can you under-eat your fat.” A common thing I tell people, especially over 40 years of age. Lots to say about hormones and many other things here, but let’s talk about fat itself. Fat cells are different, just like all of us. They have different characteristics, such as how many receptors are alpha-2 adrenergic versus beta adrenergic. Beta receptors, when stimulated, let fat out to be used for energy when your body calls for fat burning (during exercise or a caloric deficit). Alpha-2 receptors, by contrast, actively resist the signal to release stored fat, telling the cell to hold on to its contents no matter what.
You are already thinking about this fat, as you know where it is. It is fat that just won’t move in your lower abdomen, love handles and inner thighs. This distribution is determined largely by your genetics and hormonal profile. It is not a reflection of how hard you exercise or how disciplined your diet is. Based on genetics, your body decides where to pull energy (fat) from, and it tends to favor areas that are more cooperative, such as fat with beta receptors. The stubborn regions with alpha-2 receptor dominance are essentially the last in line, and for many people, they never fully respond through lifestyle changes alone. That being said, there are a lot of mechanisms and interventions that can change and optimize this fat. But honestly, that takes some work and expense in hormone optimization, peptides, medication and other modalities. And time. No one likes that last one. There are a few other choices that I have no problem referring my patients to, including laser-assisted liposuction and cryolipolysis, also called CoolSculpting.
Stubborn fat is not your failure in your eating plan or exercise program. It is a consequence of biology that no amount of exercise or calorie counting can fully overcome. Understanding the reason — that it is just sitting there no matter what you do — enables you to stop blaming yourself and start exploring solutions that work with your body rather than against it. For some, that means combining a healthy lifestyle with a targeted approach that addresses what exercise simply cannot reach.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In