Introduction
This guide will teach you how to lose stubborn fat naturally without the aid of supplements. From personal experience I have dieted down many times but my legs never seem to be getting any slimmer. As frustrations grew, I set out to research what is causing this and ultimately applied what I have found to fix this problem. Occasionally I find others creating threads here asking for stubborn fat help only to be assisted by uninformed responses such as the old testosterone vs. estrogen theory. Even if stubborn fat is not an issue for you (yet/ever) I believe this guide will prove to be an interesting read for most. I hope this clear and concise guide will help others in the present and future.
What is stubborn fat?
Stubborn fat is usually the last few pounds of fat that you find incredibly hard to lose. For males, their midsection is usually their problematic area. For females, their lower body is where stubborn fat is held. However, it is possible for males to hold stubborn fat in atypical areas (i.e. lower body) and vice versa for females (i.e. midsection). If you are the unlucky few you may hold stubborn fat in both your midsection and lower body. You are ready to tackle stubborn fat when you are around 10% body fat for males and 15% for females, and this is because your body will not delve into stubborn fat unless all the ‘easier’ fat is lost. If you are not yet at this level, please refer to http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=113693871 for general fat loss.
What causes stubborn fat?
We can see why stubborn fat is 'stubborn' by understanding the physiological factors in our bodies. This is a very complex issue so I will try to keep it simple by sticking to the most important points.
We have two types of adrenoceptors that control fat cell metabolism and blood flow into and out of fat cells. The two types are alpha-2-receptors and beta-2-receptors. The functions of alpha-2-receptors include inhibiting adipose tissue blood flow and lipolysis (the breakdown of fat for energy). Beta-2-receptors, on the other hand, increase adipose tissue blood flow and lipolysis. Therefore, we would want more beta-2-receptors for fat loss. Unfortunately in different parts of our body, the ratio of alpha-2-receptors to beta-2-receptors vary greatly and this has a significant impact on mobilisation and transportation of fat out of the fat cell. It is now obvious why stubborn fat is so stubborn: the overwhelming dominance of alpha-2-receptors in typical stubborn fat areas.
Adipose tissue blood flow was mentioned earlier and you probably wondered why and how it affects fat loss. Simplistically, poor blood flow means blood borne hormones can’t reach the fat cells and it is then even harder to mobilise fat away from the fat cell. Areas with more alpha-2-receptors than beta-2-receptors are generally associated with poorer blood flow, thus making it near impossible to target fat from these areas.
The hormone worth discussing here is insulin. The worst of the many functions of insulin are storing fat and inhibiting fat mobilisation. In terms of losing fat we would want to keep insulin levels low. Lowering the quantity of carbohydrate intake lowers insulin, so insulin levels can be easily manipulated by controlling your diet.
How to lose stubborn fat
Now we can utilise our new-found knowledge to formulate a plan to attack stubborn fat.
1. Lower your carbohydrate intake to 20% or less of total calories
Research has shown (verified by personal experience) that chronic low-carbohydrate diets actually inhibits alpha-2-receptors and increase adipose tissue blood flow, and that is exactly what we want (read above). Low-carbohydrate diets also increase the catecholamine response to other stimuli such as exercise and caffeine.
2. Perform 30-60 minutes of low intensity aerobic activity
Exercise increases lipolysis via beta-2-receptor agonism and by improving the circulation of blood flow to problematic areas. Therefore exercise is used to mobilise and burn fat from the fat cells.
3. Eat at a calorie deficit
You will still need to be on a calorie deficit to lose fat. I assume you know what this means.
This is the end of the guide. Please post comments/questions in this thread. Thanks for reading!
|
Thread: How to lose stubborn fat
-
10-01-2010, 04:42 PM #1
How to lose stubborn fat
How to lose stubborn fat
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=127984543
-
10-02-2010, 01:17 AM #2
-
10-02-2010, 11:07 AM #3
-
10-02-2010, 12:22 PM #4
I've been noticing that lowering the ratio of carboydrates in my diet seems to help even when the total calories stays the same. If what you wrote is true, it might explain why.
I've been considering increasing the amount of cardio that I do to see if it helps. I've been steady at 20 minutes of pretty high intensity cardio on an elliptical three times a week. Is there a reason that you are recommending low intensity cardio for long periods?"It doesn't matter what exercise you do, but man was made to move, to eat sparingly, to work hard and to screw as much as he can manage. Do all that, and you will look as good as your genes will let you, be content as the arseholes around you will allow, and maybe get a few screws. The particular virtues of weight training are in the discipline it brings to both mind and body, and, if you do it right, it will make you look good naked and do well what you got your clothes off to do." Georgeoz
-
-
10-02-2010, 01:08 PM #5
-
10-02-2010, 03:55 PM #6
What I'm presenting is the correct approach to targeting stubborn fat. You will know how frustrating it is once your body fat level is low but you're still stuck with stubborn fat. Those preparing for contests will know what I mean.
The hormonal response to exercise is most relevant here and that is the reason behind low intensity cardio. Firstly, high intensity activity is more effective in breaking down fatty acids in the fat cell, but at this level of intensity, the body prefers to use glucose instead of fatty acids for fuel. Also, high levels of lactate (released from high intensity exercise) traps fatty acids in the fat cells. This means that at high intensities fatty acid release is inhibited and fat oxidation is crippled. All these negatives point toward the use of low intensity cardio instead. The longer the duration of low intensity cardio, the more fatty acids are released and oxidised.How to lose stubborn fat
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=127984543
-
10-03-2010, 04:57 AM #7
-
10-03-2010, 07:46 AM #8
Very interesting.
Can you please clarify what you mean by "low intensity" and "long periods"? How low is low and how long is long?
... particularly, with regards to the 'low intensity' part... would, say... a 5-5.5mph jog for 30-45 minutes count as low intensity/long duration?
Lately, I've started using these custom programs the treadmills at my gym have... - those with the cycling speeds/incline levels. Is running at 6-7mph for 30 minutes at different elevation levels considered 'high intensity' and too short of a duration?
Or are we talking here about slowing down to a walking pace done for 1-2 hours daily? - I for one, don't have 1-2 hours daily for cardio. I also believe in limiting the duration of cardio (per session) so as to not allow the body to dig into muscle tissue for energy.
- Thoughts?
-
-
10-03-2010, 11:37 AM #9
Reped
Can we please get this thread stickied, this is great info, thanks a ton op.
So I have hit a fat loss plateau and I noticed that I'm lifting less weight than I was before. I did a little bit of reading and decided that I should take a week off where I eat mostly clean but up my calorie intake and do not exercise at all. The reasoing behind this is that it should up my metabolism and let my body recover in case I was over training. Was this a mistake, should I have kept training and done something diferently?*Good guy crew*
*Cares about people crew*
*Lifts for Strength crew*
*MMA crew*
++ Positive Crew ++
-
10-03-2010, 01:58 PM #10
-
10-03-2010, 03:01 PM #11
- Join Date: May 2010
- Location: South Carolina, United States
- Age: 42
- Posts: 132
- Rep Power: 192
[QUOTE=SPEEED;556277693]Very interesting.
Can you please clarify what you mean by "low intensity" and "long periods"? How low is low and how long is long?
... particularly, with regards to the 'low intensity' part... would, say... a 5-5.5mph jog for 30-45 minutes count as low intensity/long duration? QUOTE]
dont know if this helps or not, but ive lost 45 lbs since the end of May doing this. Basically walking at an incline of 7.0+ at 3.5-4.0 mph for an hour. Of course, I am eating a deficit, and lifting at least 3 times a week as well.Supplements:
ON 100% Whey Gold Standard Protein
ON Casein Protein
ON Opti-Men Multi-vitamin
ON Fish Oil
ON Micronized Creatine (cycled)
ON AminoEnergy (cycled)
Starting Weight: 198 LBS (FAT)
Goal Weight: 175 LBS <-----Reached
Goal Weight: 165 LBS <----- Reached
Goal Weight: 150 LBS<-----Reached
Goal Weight: 165 LBS (LEAN)
"No regrets! Only you dwell on your failures" -- Jamie Eason
-
10-03-2010, 03:42 PM #12
The intensity of the cardio should be low to moderate and you can measure this by measuring your heart rate during exercise. During the exercise, your heart rate should be around 140 beats per minute. This is how you can measure your heart rate:
"Use your index finger to locate the bony prominence on the thumb side of your wrist. Slide your finger down gently towards the centre of your wrist. Time the number of beats you feel for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4. As a general rule, the intensity of the exercise you are doing should not prevent you from talking, but should prevent you from singing."
Another reason this intensity is ideal is because its impact on muscle loss and recovery is minimal. Calories burned during this period may not be excessive, but most of what's burned should come from stubborn fat.
I hope this answers your question.
Fat loss plateaus are caused by a myriad of factors. They may be overcome by changing your diet and training. Since you have already temporarily increased your calories, I'd suggest you incorporate cardio into your routine. As for lifting, try using the deloading technique to break through plateaus. But just know you're not going to be achieving any personal records anytime soon as you're effectively on a calorie deficit.How to lose stubborn fat
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=127984543
-
-
10-03-2010, 04:52 PM #13
- Join Date: Nov 2004
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
- Age: 40
- Posts: 263
- Rep Power: 241
this should be a sticky
Detailed fat loss journal:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?p=523448983&posted=1#post523448983
Height: 5'10" (ish)
Weight 6/30: 200
Weight 7/22: 181
Weight 8/06: 174
Weight 8/28: 166
Weight 9/19: 161
Bodyfat 7/03: 18%
Bodyfat 7/22: 15%
Bodyfat 8/06: 13%
Bodyfat 8/28: 12%
Bodyfat 9/19: 11%
-
10-03-2010, 05:11 PM #14
-
10-03-2010, 05:37 PM #15
-
10-03-2010, 08:27 PM #16
-
-
10-03-2010, 09:23 PM #17
-
10-04-2010, 09:48 AM #18
-
10-04-2010, 10:22 AM #19
-
10-04-2010, 01:35 PM #20
-
-
10-04-2010, 07:38 PM #21
- Join Date: Mar 2007
- Location: Libertyville, Illinois, United States
- Posts: 9,909
- Rep Power: 13207
"I don't say goodbye until the pain says hello. That's how you know the set is done." -Greg Plitt
Disregard Everything, Acquire Aesthetics Crew
Drown, Crash and Blister: A Strength Based Routine for the Endurance Athlete ( http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=158832383&p=1176283603&viewfull=1#post1176283603 )
PM me if you need a Carfax
-
10-04-2010, 08:27 PM #22
- Join Date: Dec 2008
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Age: 40
- Posts: 934
- Rep Power: 590
Thank GOD someone wrote this AND was able to get this sticked. Maybe we won't get flooded with the same questions all the time.
"It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try"
-Kutless "What Faith Can Do"
(Proper Diet+Correct Training Program)^EFFORT= Results!
Most people walk around like Clark Kent because they don't know they can fly like Superman
-
10-05-2010, 07:12 PM #23
-
10-06-2010, 05:24 AM #24
-
-
10-06-2010, 11:31 AM #25
- Join Date: Sep 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 37
- Posts: 259
- Rep Power: 225
Good thread! Repped!
I'm not the biggest fan of LISS, I'ts very time consuming and boring lol
What would you say about just doing some HITT for say 15-20mins and taking some BCAA's?What good is an action with no purpose, what good is a purpose with no goal?
Check out my mates music site: http://www.********.com/pages/Manon-Dave-Music/123378697683602
-
10-06-2010, 01:07 PM #26
-
10-06-2010, 01:22 PM #27
- Join Date: Jul 2010
- Location: Severn, Maryland, United States
- Age: 35
- Posts: 2,431
- Rep Power: 525
I didn't read through all replies but I'm going to speak on personal experience. I'm actually seeing results now.
I was doing a 45/35/20 split p/c/f for a while and lost a good 10- 12 pounds of fat. I plateaued from there. I coulnd't lose any more fat no matter what I did. I did lose this fat very slowly... over 10 weeks. I switched to keto 9/21/10 and I have lost some of that fat i was having trouble losing. My body was so used to getting so many carbs everyday... i figured i should shock my body and eat close to none (under 25g). This is working amazingly. Instead of going to straight keto... try lowering carbs some. maybe lower your calorie intake 200 calories... mostly carbs and the rest fat.
-
10-06-2010, 02:48 PM #28
-
-
10-07-2010, 03:12 AM #29
-
10-07-2010, 06:14 AM #30
Loosing fat in a easy way
I found an easy and helpful way to regain ideal weight as I used to weigh 115 kilos.
I hate routine physical exercise, diet restrictions. I found a good thing, Stratzol. It helped me greatly.
After using two months I have now achieved my ideal weight.http://dreamlifez.com/en/
Similar Threads
-
How to lose the fat covering my abs
By Imp0rtRacr21 in forum Teen BodybuildingReplies: 14Last Post: 11-12-2010, 02:53 PM -
how too lose stubborn body fat
By jbarbera in forum Teen BodybuildingReplies: 2Last Post: 04-26-2008, 11:02 PM -
how to lose some fat while maining size/weight?
By newrob in forum Over Age 35Replies: 5Last Post: 12-30-2004, 10:15 AM -
how to lose some fat
By 9790147 in forum Losing FatReplies: 10Last Post: 02-23-2003, 02:05 PM -
How to lose ass fat?
By BaseballPlaya in forum Teen BodybuildingReplies: 11Last Post: 05-27-2002, 10:46 PM
Bookmarks