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How Experts Suggest Losing Arm Fat
The good news is that upper arm fat buildup is not typically regarded as a sign of illness, even though it can occasionally be a cause of body dissatisfaction. On the other hand, there are a number of low-cost, safe methods for toning the arms that are suitable for those who want to lose weight.
Continue reading for safe, effective, and doctor-approved advice on how to reduce arm fat.
Arm Fat: What Is It?
Excess fat stored in the upper extremities of the body is known as arm fat.
Visceral and subcutaneous fat are the two forms of fat found in the body. Subcutaneous fat is located immediately beneath the skin, while visceral fat envelops the organs.
Some visceral fat is necessary for the general protection of the organs, even though it accounts for a lesser portion of total body fat. On the other hand, a number of medical disorders, such as dementia, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease, may be associated with elevated visceral fat percentages. Arm fat, on the other hand, is categorized as subcutaneous fat, which is less harmful to general health than excess visceral fat.
According to Brea Lofton, M.S., a registered dietitian nutritionist with the metabolic tracker Lumen, “arm fat isn’t necessarily harmful from a physiological perspective, but it can be a marker of overall body fat percentage and a risk factor for metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes.” “Therefore, adopting healthier lifestyle habits like regular exercise and a balanced diet to reduce arm fat can have positive health implications.”
Reasons for Too Much Arm Fat
When a person generally consumes more calories than they burn, arm fat builds up. According to Emily Skye, an Australian fitness expert and the developer of the health app Emily Skye FIT, extra calories are turned into fat within the body.
The amount of fat that tends to collect in the arms in particular may depend on other factors. Professor Benjamin Bikman, Ph.D., a metabolic research scientist and co-founder of HLTH Code, states that distinct familial DNA is the second most important factor in determining where and how individuals store fat.
According to Dr. Bikman, “androgens like testosterone promote greater fat storage within the abdominal space, whereas estrogens tend to promote greater fat storage at the buttocks, hips, and arms.”
To put it another way, males with greater testosterone levels tend to accumulate less fat in their arms than do women. According to Lofton, hormonal imbalances—which can result from anything from menopause to thyroid conditions—can also play a role in the buildup of arm fat.
Furthermore, according to Dr. Bikman, the first areas of the body to store fat are also the last areas to lose fat when losing weight.
But there are techniques to reduce arm fat, even for those who are trying to overcome heredity.
Proven Methods for Reducing Unwanted Arm Fat
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all arm fat loss program because every body is unique. Nonetheless, there are actions that one can take, such as following the professional advice below, to lose extra arm fat.
Put Your Whole Body Fat Loss First
Lofton says spot reduction is a fiction. Stated differently, a person cannot efficiently eliminate arm fat on their own.
Generally speaking, one must generate a calorie deficit in order to reduce weight. A person can lose overall body fat by drawing energy from their fat stores when they consume less calories than their body expels.
One does not, however, get to select which bodily fat is utilized in this procedure.
“The only way to lose arm fat is to reduce overall body fat by incorporating targeted exercise programs along with healthy eating habits to support overall body weight and intended health goals,” states Lofton.
Raise Weights
Those who want to tone their arms and burn calories more quickly might think about getting some dumbbells.
Strength training, according to Skye, “can improve the appearance and definition of an individual’s arm muscles, even though spot fat reduction is not possible.”
Studies indicate that resistance training can increase muscular growth and strength and decrease total body fat. Gaining increased muscle mass might help the body burn more calories—and possibly fat—during the day since muscle has a higher metabolic activity than fat.
According to Skye, it’s critical to achieve balance in training as well. For example, it’s critical to exercise the upper arm muscles in both the front (biceps) and rear (triceps). “One does not have to lift extremely heavy objects, either,” adds Skye. “To increase fat burn, smash through more repetitions with a smaller weight.”
Turn Up the Cardio as Well
According to Lofton, engaging in cardiovascular exercise can help burn calories and fat, which can help reduce body fat generally, including arm fat.
Lofton says that three to five times a week, at least thirty minutes of moderate-intensity cardio can help balance an individual’s caloric intake.
Based on research, the most effective way to reduce fat is to combine cardiovascular exercise with weight training.
Up Your Consumption of Protein
As the amino acids in protein are the building blocks required to make muscle, eating enough protein is necessary to have toned arms, according to Jen Scheinman, senior manager of nutrition affairs at Timeline Nutrition and registered dietitian.
Additionally, studies indicate that eating more protein can help with fat loss. In addition to promoting longer feelings of fullness and reducing cravings, protein also has the ability to lower the hormone ghrelin, which intensifies hunger signals.
Furthermore, a 2020 study published in the Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome discovered that eating more protein helps people lose weight and enhances their body composition by reducing total body fat and maintaining fat-free mass, or their hard-earned muscles.
Scheinman also suggests that consuming protein throughout the day, as opposed to just one meal, can help to better promote muscle building. “Protein supplements, like protein powders, can help if a person struggles to get enough protein from food [sources],” she continues.
For a customized assessment, it is advisable to speak with a trained dietitian to ascertain the recommended daily intake of protein.
Reducing Insulin-Spiking Snack Consumption
Dr. Bikman says there are two approaches to losing fat: low insulin or low calories.
The decades-old philosophy of trying to “eat less and exercise more” is the low-calorie method; an alternative strategy is to stay away from processed, sugary, and “empty-calorie” meals.
Dr. Bikman states that even in the absence of overt calorie restriction, “the avoidance of insulin-spiking foods (such as breads, cereals, chips, and sweets) generally leads to greater fat loss.”
Nutrient-dense foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and lean protein sources can support general weight control objectives and stop fat from accumulating in undesirable places like the arms, according to Lofton.
Sip More Water
Water consumption is crucial for fat reduction in addition to helping the body eliminate waste products and maintaining proper hydration levels.
Increased hydration promoted weight loss by lowering participants’ appetite and boosting lipolysis, the body’s process of burning fat for energy, according to a 2016 research review published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
How to Avoid Having Arm Fat
Eating a balanced diet and exercising frequently are the greatest ways to prevent fat accumulation, whether it’s in the arms or elsewhere.
“As one ages, muscle mass begins to decrease as early as the 30s, and this loss of muscle can definitely contribute to the appearance of arm fat,” states Scheinman.
If you’re worried about having too much arm fat, you should think about getting expert advice on how to control it from a licensed nutritionist, certified fitness trainer, or health care practitioner.
It’s crucial to keep in mind, though, that some people—even those who maintain a low overall body fat percentage—naturally carry more fat in their arms than others.
Skye says, “Don’t beat yourself up about it.” “[Instead,] draw attention to your strength and the wonderful things your arms accomplish for you every day.”