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LOVE YOUR HIPS AGAIN Find out how to reduce the fat around your hip area – even if it seems impossible! ‘Love handles’ have always seemed somewhat inappropriately named, because nobody seems to have a lot of love for them! Men and women across the world seem to have a joint hatred for this area of stubborn fat, and it’s not always something healthy food and a strict gym routine can combat. So if you are someone who can’t embrace your love handles and if a diet and exercise regime just aren’t working for you, don’t fret – there are other options available to help tackle the area. We spoke to aesthetic practitioner Dr Tatiana Lapa who told us what treatments are out there for people who want to improve the appearance of their love handles.
What causes love handles? “The term ‘love handles’ refers to an accumulation of weight on either side of the waist, above the hips and below the ribs. The proper name for this area of the body is the ‘flanks’,” explains Dr Lapa. Dr Lapa notes that love handles are mainly caused by your genetics and body type, as it’s all a factor of your natural
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Illustration demonstrating the different body type categories
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Dr Tatiana Lapa,
aesthetic practitioner, Dr Tatiana Aesthetic Clinic, London IG: @dr_tatiana_clinic
fat distribution. She says, “It’s all in your genetic makeup, and what your body shape is. For example, if you’re what we would call ‘an apple’ (see image) you’re more likely to have fat around your flanks (between your ribs and hips), whereas if you’re ‘a pear’ you’re more likely to gain fat in your buttock and leg area.” Hormones can also have an impact, for example with those that suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She explains, “PCOS causes insulin resistance which makes it harder for the body to turn food into energy. This typically causes a more central distribution of fat around the abdomen and flanks. It’s a very normal area that fat deposits can go to.” She adds that your diet and exercise routine can also play a part, explaining, “If there is a patient with a strong core, they’re less likely to store or build fat around that area. However, if you’re someone that only trains legs, but never
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