4 Misconceptions About Losing Your Belly Fat

When it comes to losing belly fat, doing everything you think is right will not always give the results you want. It is easy to feel frustrated and confused, especially if it seems like a mystery as to why you are not getting any slimmer even with long hours of exercise and dramatic calorie cutting.  

As explained in our previous blog all about body fat, stubborn fat (referring to subcutaneous fat under the skin) may not always respond to diet and exercise alone. This is the reason why some people still have stubborn fat bulges on their belly despite doing intensive workouts.

Most people check online hoping to find the best solution in getting rid of that “bulge”. But there are too many misleading information out there on how to lose belly fat without any proven clinical evidence making it confusing.

We did our search and rounded up 4 misconceptions about losing belly fat that you need to stop believing:

1. Extreme calorie cutting is the way to go.

While eating too little will to lead to fat and weight loss, having this habit is not sustainable for your body. Apart from restricting the body the nutrients it needs to function properly, dramatically cutting your calories also slows down your metabolism.

Slow metabolism delays the progress in any fat or weight loss effort. So instead of extremely cutting your calories, eat the right amount and fill your diet with healthy food, especially fruits and vegetables.

2. Ab exercises can burn belly fat.

Studies suggest that relying solely on ab exercises cannot lose or burn belly fat. What they do is just strengthen the muscles in your abdomen. This is why doing lots of crunches and sit-ups will not necessarily get rid of your belly fat.

Whole-body exercises are recommended, as they can boost your metabolism. Aerobic exercises and resistance training are good choices for burning calories and fat faster.

There are tons of 15 to 30-minute videos of cardio workouts at home that you can start with especially if you don’t have the time to go to the gym.

3. I need to avoid eating meat and “fat”.

While it is true that meat and other food has a relatively high fat content, eating it alone doesn’t necessarily make you fat. Excessive consumption of fat (especially those from unhealthy sources) does.

Avoid eating food high in “trans fat”. This fat doesn’t have any health benefits and it can also make you gain weight if eaten regularly. Trans fat can be found in fried foods, butter, baked goods and other fast foods.

On the other hand, most meat like pork and beef contains “saturated fat”. Eating in moderation can allow our body to gain the needed energy and proteins from meat. However, too much meat can lead to high cholesterol and increase of fat especially in the belly.

Rather than avoiding all type of fats, look for healthy alternatives that contains the good fats called “monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats”. These are essential fats that our body needs to function normally.

Monounsaturated fat is found in olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados, and most nuts. While polyunsaturated fat are found in salmon, mackerel, and sardines, flaxseeds, walnuts and other plant-based oils.

You can still eat red meat, but be sure to consume it in moderation. An alternative is eating chicken meat which has lesser saturated fat.

4. There is a special diet for losing belly fat.

If you’ve scoured the Internet for tips on losing belly fat, you probably have encountered articles/videos with too good to be true headlines like, “Drink this to lose belly fat in a one day” or “How to lose belly fat with this special diet”.

As promising as these headlines seem, there is no magic diet or trick for losing belly fat instantly. A successful fat and weight loss involve a number of things like regular diet and whole-body exercise, as well as paying attention to what you eat.

But there are also instances where combining an active lifestyle with technology works even better, especially for fat reduction or reducing waist circumference.

So, what’s worth a shot?

Heating or freezing fat using innovative technology is proven to be effective at fat reduction, with minimal risk compared to a surgical liposuction. This is available at Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore through Vanquish and Cryolipolysis, which can be combined with Acoustic Shockwave therapy to reduce cellulite and tighten loose and sagging skin.

Vanquish

Vanquish is an FDA-cleared device that uses heat through controlled radiofrequency energy to target and kill fat cells. This is ideal for losing inches off your waistline, arms, and thighs without downtime or surgery.

Its effectiveness is attributed to the science of impedance, or the heat resistance of fat cells compared to other body tissues. High resistance to heat means that the fat cells can absorb more heat energy, which is helpful in triggering the process of apoptosis or natural cell death.

One thing that makes Vanquish unique is that it can sculpt your body without touching your skin. The device is suspended over the treated area using a panel array of heat to target the fat cells alone.

Cryolipolysis

Also known as “fat freezing”, Cryolipolysis freezes the fat to the point of elimination. Once the fat cells are exposed to cooling, they undergo the process of natural cell death or apoptosis. After a few weeks and months, the dead fat cells are removed from the body.

There are two well-known devices that use fat freezing namely CoolSculpting and Z Lipo. One of the main difference is that they are different brands coming from different countries as CoolSculpting is by Zeltiq from the US while Z Lipo is by Zimmer from Germany.

Read our previous blog to learn more about the difference between CoolSculpting and Z Lipo.

Both devices use a specialized handpiece that suctions in “pinchable” belly fat and exposes it to cold temperature. The procedure is safe and does not harm the skin as a protective film will be placed in the treated area before the treatment starts.

The result is a visible reduction of belly pooch or love handles. The full results will be seen after 60 to 90 days as it takes time for your body to remove all the dead fat cells.

Acoustic Shockwave

Acoustic Shockwave is an FDA cleared non-invasive procedure that can reduce cellulite and stimulate collagen production to improve the skin’s elasticity, firmness and smoothness.

It uses a handpiece that introduces acoustic shockwaves into the body, causing vibrations and pressure to the connective tissue. The vibrations break up the cell structures and make the tissue softer and more active. The tissue will then relax and stretch, increasing the elasticity and firmness of the epidermis.

Vanquish + Cryolipolysis + Shockwave

The combination of Vanquish + Cryolipolysis + Shockwave (also known as the Fire and Ice body program) can help speed up and improve your desired results.

This is because acoustic shockwave also activates the fat cells, which makes them break down easily. This then helps rid of the excess fat and toxins from the body while also helping in collagen production.

When used together, you can melt unwanted fat and reduce the appearance of cellulite on almost any part of the body.

Schedule a Consultation and Body Assessment

With Vanquish, Cryolipolysis and Shockwave, you can now get rid of your unwanted belly fat.

Contact Cutis Laser Clinics today and schedule a body assessment and consultation with our Harvard-trained aesthetic doctor in Singapore, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, to learn about these treatments, as well as other options for fat reduction.

Tags: Vanquish ME, Cryolipolysis, Acoustic Shockwave, Laser Aesthetic Clinic in Singapore