4 Problem Areas: How to Identify Your Body Fat and How to Burn it

Whether it's your thighs or the tops of your arms, most of us have one area of our body that we wish was 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.

Via