Do you have stubborn fat in a certain area that won’t budge no matter how well you eat or how much you exercise? 99% of people say they do!
Where we hold extra fat on our bodies often relates to a hormone imbalance and can affect weight loss if not addressed. Some of the common areas include:
Triceps and thigh –High oestrogen levels. Supplements such as DIM and resveratrol can improve the balance of good to bad oestrogen. DIM is also available in high amounts in broccoli so add broccoli to your lunch and dinner. Increase your exercise as this shifts the testosterone/oestrogen balance.
Knee – Liver toxicity. Milk thistle and turmeric are great supplements to support the liver. Reduce biochemical stress on the liver such as alcohol, pain killers, sugary and fatty foods. Make sure to get plenty of sleep. Fat above the knee can also be a result of over training.
Pectoral/chest – Low testosterone. Make sure you are getting adequate caloric intake – a low calorie diet will decrease testosterone. Also make sure to include adequate fat in the diet. A lack of saturated and essential fatty acids (fish oil) lead to the inability to produce testosterone. You may also need to increase your exercise, particularly weight training.
Sub-scapular (those saggy bits on your back below your shoulder blades!) – Poor insulin control. You may also have cravings for carbohydrates and sweets. Some supplements that may help include chromium and fish oil. You need to focus on eating protein and good fats and reducing carbohydrates and sugars to try and keep your blood sugar levels stable.
Mid abdominal – High cortisol levels caused by high stress and/or insufficient sleep. Ensure you eat frequent protein meals and reduce carbohydrates/sugars. Aim for 7-8 hour sleep per night – make sure you are in a dark room with no noise and a regulated temperate. You may need to look at the stressors in your life and take steps to make some changes. Do you need to avoid certain stressful situations or people? Practice stress reduction techniques – include exercise, take a break, use positive self-talk, focus on your breathing or try a yoga class.
Of course there is much more to treating hormone imbalance and if you feel you have a slightly larger thigh then knee this does not necessarily mean you have a hormone imbalance. A skin fold test can be useful in determining where your fat levels are sitting. If you would like to find out any more information contact Chevron Island Physio on 5504 7000 to book at consultation with Kasey (Nutritionist)
