Why “Diets” don’t work.
If Diets really worked, the 72 billion industry would collapse over night as there would be no repeat customers.
Understanding how the body works will help you to understand how you can help your clients on their weight loss journey.
The Medulla situated just above the brain stem controls the body’s “animal instincts” such as Hunger, Survival, Fight or Flight etc. While the prefrontal cortex keeps those instincts in check.
As Humans we have conscious thought, thus we can decide when we eat and when not to, however when this tends to get out of hand, the mind/body will force the body to act in its best interest to stay alive.
When the mind/body feels starved/deprived “dieting” it will start to store food nutrients as it does not know when its next meal will be. “Dieting” forces you to restrict food intake, limiting calories, carbs etc., forcing the body to use its own fat reserves as energy to function. However when these reserves run low the body will force itself to “binge eat” to resupply the reserves to prevent starvation. The Medulla’s job is to ensure that the body stays alive.
Thus on a thought/emotional level we binge eat due to excessive hunger/cravings then feel guilty for doing so, then starts the whole process again by starving the body in the hopes of losing weight/reducing fat, effectively creating yo-yo dieting without lasting results.
“Diets” give you a list of forbidden foods which eventually forces you to crave those specific foods “you are not allowed to eat”. Instead, change the way you eat. Focus on healthy foods, veggies, fruits, grains, legumes. Eating more healthy foods will crowd out unhealthy foods without making the body feel deprived.
How can you help the body when eating healthy is not enough?
First let’s take a look at the area of the body that we want to target with weight loss.
The Subcutaneous layer also known as Adipose tissue (Fat layer of the skin) ranges from 1.60mm to 25.24mm in males and 3.40mm to 25.20mm in females. It insulates the body to regulate temperature, protect muscles and bones and acts as a passageway for nerve and blood vessels from the dermis to the muscles and consists of loose connective tissue.
When the subcutaneous layer becomes too thin it increases the risk of skin injury and reduces the body’s ability to maintain a healthy body temperature causing hypothermia in colder weather due to the body having less natural insulation.
Breaking down excess fat cells
Depending on the distribution of fat in various parts of the body, obesity can be divided into two types: Abdominal and Buttock obesity.
Abdominal obesity also known as Central obesity has an accumulation of fat within the abdominal area (male obesity, visceral obesity and apple obesity) while hip fat is mainly deposited in the buttocks and legs known as non-oriented obesity.
Cryolipolysis more commonly known as Fat Freezing is used in areas of the body where fat deposits underneath the skin are not responding to exercise or healthy eating. According to the FDA, areas that can be treated with Cryolipolysis are: Chin, Upper arms, inner and outer thighs, abdomen, hips, love handles, upper back, lower back, underneath buttocks.
How are fat cells destroyed?
Adipose tissue is more easily destroyed by colder temperatures, thus making them more susceptible to damage at lower temperatures. The cold temperatures cause injury to the adipose tissue causing an inflammatory response by the body resulting in the death of the fat cell. The body’s immune system then gets rid of the dead cells and debris from the body via the lymphatic system.
Results from Fat Freezing
Clients can see up to a 24cm overall loss after 4 sessions with a total of 15-28% fat loss visible 4 months after the initial treatments. Some clients might require more sessions depending on the fat tissue distribution.
Results are not immediate as damaged cells are gradually removed from the body and can take 3-6 months to achieve optimal results. Fat freezing also does not prevent weight gain as new cells can deposit adipose tissue if the client does not change their lifestyle habits.
Fat freezing can also be combined with Cavitation (which assists with cellulite) Cavitation uses an ultrasonic vibration to break down fat cells into liquid form. Broken fact cells are taken through the liver to be excreted by the body as waste via the urine.
Now that the fat cells are broken down and excreted by the body as waste, Radio Frequency can be used to tighten the skin of the affected area, allowing for a slimmer more toned look.
Fat freezing as a treatment is not intended to replace healthy eating habits and regular exercise, however is used to rid the body of stubborn fat that does not respond to these weight loss methods.
Cryolipolysis treatments are to be performed by trained therapists and can be done as an outpatient procedure as no numbing or surgery is required.
Speak to your local therapist for more information on whether you are a candidate for the Fat Freezing Procedure
Presented by Mary-Ann Botma Head of Training Planet Beauty