As women age, their bodies begin to lose lean muscle. To compensate, the body begins storing fat. Hormonal changes can further contribute to irregular fat distribution, which is why people appear to change shape as they age. Luckily, if you aren’t overweight but deal with fat in localized areas, Coolsculpting® is a potential solution. To help you understand whether this is the issue you face, here’s more information about the natural fat storage processes and how they change over the years.

How Muscle & Fat Stores Are Distributed

Most women begin to lose lean muscle and tissue at age 30. Known as sarcopenia, this natural process may cause a 1% decrease in lean tissue per year. 

As this happens, body fat begins to replace muscle. As estrogen production decreases at age 50, fat is no longer directed to the buttocks, hips, and thighs. Instead, it builds up in the abdomen. Fat may also accumulate in the breasts and upper chest. Since fat weighs less than muscle, you may notice that you’re the same weight as you were 10 years ago, but are larger in the abdomen.

The metabolism slows down with age as well. This leads the body to transform extra calories into fat rather than energy. This could cause you to gain weight even if you consume the same number of calories you did in your youth.

How to Influence Fat Distribution

Combating your body’s fat storage pattern is possible. Start by adjusting your diet. Choose complex carbs and unsaturated fats, such as those present in nuts, seeds, and whole grains. These reduce insulin levels so your body won’t rush to store fat in the abdomen. 

Exercise is also essential. You can preserve and even build lean muscle by incorporating weight training into your workouts.

If you’re dealing with stubborn body fat in specific areas of the body, Coolsculpting will help. Bared Monkey Laser Spa – Penn Station offers a variety of convenient cosmetic treatments to New York City residents. Their Coolsculpting  procedure uses freezing technology to naturally eliminate fat in two to six months. Learn more about this treatment on their website, or call (212) 256-9777 to schedule an appointment.