When you embark on a slimming program, does the question come back constantly: does the body follow a specific order when you lose weight? And above all, can we hope to see the belly, hips or thighs in priority? According to the specialists, the scenario is often more unpredictable than what we imagine … but certain trends are taking shape. As Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical explains, everything does not depend on our efforts but especially our physiology.
What science says about the order of fat loss
There is no unique rule: the melting of fats is not done uniformly, insists Dr. Kierzek. Each organism has its own operating scheme, influenced by genetics, sex and body composition.
“”Different people lose body fat in different places and at different times. Some people may lose weight in the abdomen, while others can lose weight in the thighs“, Underlines the DRE Fatima Cody Stanford, specialist in obesity at the Harvard Medical School.
Certain areas, on the other hand, tend to react faster, especially in men. According to Dr. Kierzek, “The first area to lose is often the abdominal region. On the other hand, hips and thighs are generally recalcitrant areas especially in women because they play an important role in the energy reserve for pregnancy and breastfeeding“.
Can we target the areas where you want to lose weight?
Unfortunately, many received ideas circulate on the possibility of choosing where you lose weight first. Targeted exercises, oriented regimes or certain localized practices have only a limited impact.
“”You cannot target fat loss and specifically decide where the body will lose fat. Weight loss is global, our physiology and our body determine the areas where fat will be burned in priority“Said Dr. Kierzek.
On the other hand, it is possible to strengthen certain muscle areas thanks to the exercise. This improves the silhouette, but not to locally reduce the greasy volume. Weight loss remains above all a question of calorie balance, where the contributions must be lower than the expenses.
What to remember to start well
The only scientifically validated method to initiate effective weight loss is based on a healthy, supervised food program and regular physical activity. It is this imbalance between calories consumed and burnt calories that triggers the melting of fats, without being able to direct it.
No need to concentrate all its efforts on the thighs or love handles: it is the whole body reacting, at its own pace. A global, sustainable and personalized strategy remains the key to obtaining visible results.