The subjects in a recent study conducted by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reported a 23% increase in their snacking habits and 42% decrease in the time spent in daily exercise during the lockdown. This deadly combination leads to only one obvious outcome – Fat Gain!

The nationwide lockdown to combat the novel virus has brought about quite a lot of changes in our daily routine, both good and bad.

The Good –

• It has given us a golden opportunity for us to bond with our family.
• We have quite a bit of extra time left for ourselves at the end of the day.
• Relief from commute struggles and the city’s pollution.
• Delicious, possibly healthy, home-made meals.

The Bad – 

• The extra time we get is mostly being used for over-sleeping.
• With the work-from-home scenario, we are sitting at our workstation, staring at our computers all day long.
• The boredom and/or binge-watching marathon are making us reach for the snacks every few hours.
• With no routine in place, exercising has gone right out of the window for most people.

As a result of this extremely sedentary lifestyle, our over-all health is being compromised in a time when it should be our topmost priority to maintain the best health possible. Getting plump not only lowers down your confidence levels but can also affect your health fatally. So, this should be enough motivation for you to start following a better lifestyle. Focus on –

• Eating a balanced diet. Do not get sucked into fad diets though.
• Avoiding refined white sugar strictly.
• Eating your dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime.
• Getting 8-9 hours of sleep daily.
• Keeping your electrical gadgets away from you at least 1 hour before bedtime.
• Exercising regularly. Include a balanced mix of cardio to torch the extra fat and strength training to get stronger.

Following these simple steps will give some structure to your lousy lockdown routine and also help you shed some extra kilos. However, it might not be enough. Some of you might already be following a strict routine with regular workouts and a perfect diet. It still doesn’t seem to be enough to make that stubborn fat budge.
Wondering where you might be going wrong?
Well, it’s not quite your fault here. Not all fats are made the same.

Let’s make you understand two different types of fats, so you know what is keeping you from achieving your dream body. 

Intraperitoneal Fat or Visceral Adipose Tissue
The fat that lies within the abdominal cavity is mostly visceral fat. It is the fat you cannot pinch with your fingers. Intraperitoneal fat is a major cause of concern because of its potential health risks. A variety of research suggests that intraperitoneal fat can cause –

• Cardiovascular ailments by pumping bad cytokines
• Metabolic dysfunction by releasing free fatty acids and inflammatory proteins
• Insulin Resistance which can lead to diabetes
• Higher levels of bad cholesterol while lowering down the levels of good cholesterol

Interestingly, studies suggest South Asians (that include the population of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka) have revealed that they are more prone to fattiness in the midriff region than Chinese, European and Aboriginal populations.
Thankfully, visceral fat is easier to manage and can be tackled with significant lifestyle changes.
 Extraperitoneal Fat
The layer of fat that lies right beneath your skin, which can be pinched with your fingers is known as the Subcutaneous Fat.  Then, just under a few layers of muscles and membranes lies the parietal peritoneum. The parietal peritoneum is a thin membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. And extraperitoneal fat is a layer of fat that settles over the thin parietal peritoneal membrane.
This type of fat is extremely stubborn and does not melt away easily, even with rigorous exercise and strict diet plans.
Time to rejoice because we have got fantastic news for you! Medical science has joined hands with modern technology to come up with sophisticated procedures that can blast away excess fat even when it is stubborn with just a few sittings at your doctor’s clinic.

Ways to bid stubborn fat Adieu (without going under the knife) 

Cool Sculpting
Cool sculpting or cryolipolysis is a body contouring technique which can give you spectacular results within six months. During the procedure, a licensed expert uses a state-of-the-art gadget to freeze the fat cell in the desired area of the body. The fat cell dies on freezing and is eventually expelled out of the body through the actions of the liver. This promising technique can reduce up to 25% of fat cells from the area it has been administered. If you are concerned about the safety of this procedure, then, you may put your worries to the grave. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has certified Cool Sculpting as a safe medical procedure get rid of excess fat.
 Radiofrequency lipolysis
Radiofrequency lipolysis uses deep penetrating radiofrequency waves to heat up fat cells, as opposed to Cool Sculpting. In this procedure, the instrument doesn’t have to make contact to melt it away even if they are settled deep within the body. This quick and painless treatment has skin tightening benefits to it too. Talk about one stone, two birds.
  Fat-dissolving Injections
Facial fat is a matter of concern for a large chunk of the Indian population. Some people even manage to trim their waistline with regular workouts and diets but are still left with a plump face. For such cases, fat dissolving injections are god-sent. These injections use fat-dissolving acids to digest stubborn fat. Does the term “acid” raise concerns in your head? Well, these injections use acids that are already present in our body naturally making the procedure super sage.
Kybella is an infamous injectable used for the nasty double chin region. It employs deoxycholic acid, which is a bile acid that helps melt away fat. Not only is it non-invasive but also a cheaper alternative to other elaborate procedures.

Such procedures can help you lean out your

• Midriff including the tummy and lovehandle region
• Arms
• Thighs
• Buttocks
• Face

The only thing you should keep in mind is to get the procedures done from a well-seasoned and licensed dermatologist in Mumbai, so there is not the slightest bit of risk. However, one has to keep in mind that these procedures are not an alternative to a healthy lifestyle but a way to enhance its effects. So, get your butt moving NOW because this lockdown is the perfect time for that!