We’ve all been there — eating well, exercising regularly, and still noticing certain areas that just won’t budge. The lower belly, thighs, flanks, and under the chin often hold onto fat no matter what we do. But why is that? Let’s dive into the science behind stubborn fat and what you can do about it.
1. Genetics Play a Big Role
Where your body stores fat is largely determined by your DNA. Some people are naturally prone to holding fat in the hips and thighs, while others accumulate it around the midsection. These patterns are linked to hormone receptors in fat cells, which vary from one part of the body to another.
2. Different Types of Fat Cells Respond Differently
Fat cells aren’t all the same. They contain receptors that control how easily fat can be released for energy.
- Alpha receptors slow down fat breakdown.
- Beta receptors speed it up.
Unfortunately, stubborn fat areas — like the lower abdomen, flanks, and thighs — have more alpha receptors, meaning fat in these spots is harder for the body to access and burn.
3. Hormones Influence Fat Storage
Hormones like insulin, cortisol, and estrogen can make certain fat stores more persistent. For example:
- High cortisol levels (from stress) can encourage abdominal fat storage.
- Estrogen can make fat more likely to collect in the thighs and hips.
- Insulin resistance can make it harder for the body to use stored fat as energy.
4. Age and Metabolism Matter
As we age, metabolism naturally slows, and muscle mass tends to decrease — both of which reduce the number of calories burned at rest. Combined with hormonal changes, this makes it easier for stubborn fat to build up and harder to lose.
5. Why Diet and Exercise Alone Don’t Always Work
Even with a healthy lifestyle, once your body has formed fat cells, they don’t disappear — they just shrink when you lose weight. Stubborn pockets often remain because the fat cells in those areas are biologically less active and resistant to change.
6. How Treatments Like Fat Freezing Help
This is where fat freezing (Cryolipolysis) comes in. The treatment works by safely cooling fat cells in specific areas to a temperature that causes them to crystallise and break down. Over the following weeks, the body naturally eliminates those damaged fat cells — permanently reducing the number in that area.
Unlike weight loss, which only shrinks fat cells, fat freezing actually removes them, meaning those stubborn bulges can finally be smoothed and reshaped.
The Takeaway
Stubborn fat isn’t your fault — it’s biology. But with modern, non-surgical treatments like fat freezing, you can target those resistant areas safely and effectively.
✨ Because sometimes, it’s not about losing weight — it’s about refining your shape.