Don’t let stubborn fat stop you from rocking fashion trends – we found a solution that may help

It’s official: short, sheer, and second-skin take on sexy is back on trend this year, as evidenced on the fashion runways. The Spring/Summer 2022 fashion shows saw models sashaying in bare midriffs, sheer dresses, low-rise pants, and power suits with bras or bikini tops – but let’s face it, these trends are not exactly for everybody to pull off.

Some of us with incredibly stubborn fat may not even do a double-take on these daring looks as they are deemed unsuitable for our type of bodies. While our sartorial choices are largely determined by our body shape, that doesn’t mean we can rock fashion trends just because we think we don’t have the body for it.

The key to dressing better is to properly understand the common body shapes and also learn about the difference between weight loss and fat loss, especially if you’re looking to shed the excess weight that has been troubling you.

Here's everything you need to know, including an effective solution that may help you get rid of stubborn fat that can’t be removed with diet or exercise.

Common human body shapes and their fat distribution

It’s important to first emphasise that each individual body is unique and beautiful – you don’t need to deliberately lose weight or change how your body looks through drastic measures just to feel better about your style. However, identifying and getting to know your body shape better will help you choose clothes that look good on you – and fit better too.

First and foremost, you should know that the female body shape is pre-defined by your skeletal structure and genetics – which determines your predisposed fat and muscle distribution. So, the golden rule is to always work with your body shape instead of against it.

In general, the common female body shapes you’ll come across are a triangle (a.k.a. pear), hourglass, round (apple), inverted triangle, and rectangle (athletic).

A triangle or pear-shaped body typically has wider hips and thighs with a narrower top half, while an hourglass shape is identified by an equal size in hips and shoulders with a slim, well-defined waist. A round or apple-shaped body is known for a broader upper body with no defined waistline. The individual usually has a slim waist and great legs but lacks definition in the top half of the body.

Meanwhile, an inverted triangle body shape has shoulders that are broader than the hips, with little definition between the waist and hips. A rectangular body shape also referred to as the “athletic” body shape, has an overly defined waistline with a straight shoulder line and hips.

What’s the difference between weight loss and fat loss?

If you’ve been trying every method you can to lose the extra pounds that you’ve been struggling with, the problem may not lie with your strict diet or exercise regime.

A 2011 study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research [1] revealed that six weeks of intensive ab workouts hardly slimmed the exercisers’ midsections. A related study [2] found that three months of single-armed workouts resulted in only lesser loose skin in the trained arm, but recorded zero fat loss.

We don’t blame you for feeling shocked at these revelations; after all, most of us are not aware that weight loss, which is what’s commonly peddled by slimming salons, is different from fat loss.

When we talk about weight loss, it generally refers to a decrease in your overall body weight from muscle, water, and fat percentage. On the other hand, fat loss occurs when you experience weight loss from fat, and it’s often said to be a more specific and healthier goal than weight loss.

Why do some people seem to lose weight faster than others?

Here’s another mind-boggling question that many of us can’t seem to quite figure out, especially those who follow a certain weight loss plan with a friend, but one of you seems to have lost more weight than the other.

Well, turn out, that is actually the most common scenario according to experts. Firstly, everyone’s body simply responds differently when it comes to diet and exercise.

As mentioned briefly earlier, your genetics play a major role in the fat distribution within your body but what you may not know is that your genes also affect your ability to lose weight, since they provide the blueprints that your body runs on.

Those with more fat mass tend to lose it faster as well, and your body may also respond to fitness faster than someone else if you are exercising at a higher intensity and burning more calories. Some may also shed body fat faster as they burn more calories at rest compared to others.

How you manage the everyday stress in your life is another factor at work as it has an impact on how your body releases or holds onto weight. Certain medication or medical conditions may hinder weight loss too.

Here’s an effective solution you can consider to eliminate stubborn fat

When you’ve gone through your fitness plan and aren’t seeing significant results, it may be time to consider an alternative solution to get rid of stubborn excess fat: liposuction.

One of the possible avenues you can consider getting liposuction safely is Dr. Ivan Puah, medical director of Amaris B. Clinic, who is also the chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee in Singapore.

The liposuction performed by Dr. Ivan Puah stands out from the rest, as the procedure is guided by his unique body sculpting approach known as the MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique.

Thanks to his extensive surgical experience over the years, Dr. Ivan Puah has developed this proprietary method for thorough fat removal with targeted sculpting.

MDC is short for Multi-Dimensional Contouring, a focused technique that is able to remove more than 90% of localised subcutaneous fat permanently and safely, loose skin is tightened simultaneously while limiting the future deposition of fat in the treated area.

On top of that, this approach is gentler and less traumatising so post-surgical downtime is also reduced, which translates to faster recovery for the patient.

That said, liposuction should not be mistaken as a primary tool for weight loss. Instead, it should be considered an effective body surgical treatment to correct disproportionate body shapes and do away with stubborn fat that cannot be eliminated with diet or exercise.

Patient safety and results are top priority at Amaris B. Clinic, so you can rest assured that Dr. Ivan Puah and the medical team will discuss in detail with you the expected result during your consultation, before the procedure, and throughout the aftercare appointments to ensure that you walk out with the most satisfactory outcome.

Dr. Ivan Puah’s surgical experience, combined with the degree of meticulous face and body sculpting that he adheres to, is what makes Amaris B. Clinic markedly different from other liposuction providers in Singapore.

Amaris B. Clinic is also an award-winning establishment, having received multiple industry recognitions and accolades for the team’s commitment and dedication to their patients’ pursuit of physical perfection and well-being over the years.

REFERENCE

[1] Vispute SS, Smith JD, LeCheminant JD, Hurley KS. The effect of abdominal exercise on abdominal fat. J Strength Cond Res. 2011 Sep;25(9):2559-64. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181fb4a46. PMID: 21804427.

[2] Kostek MA, Pescatello LS, Seip RL, Angelopoulos TJ, Clarkson PM, Gordon PM, Moyna NM, Visich PS, Zoeller RF, Thompson PD, Hoffman EP, Price TB. Subcutaneous fat alterations resulting from an upper-body resistance training program. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Jul;39(7):1177-85. doi: 10.1249/mss.0b0138058a5cb. PMID: 17596787.