Update: With Lockdown 3.0 a new reality, I thought it was time to refresh this blog to reflect upon what I've learned since I first wrote it (during the first lockdown!) Time flies, eh?! The blog is especially relevant now, with many of us looking to make better health choices as we enter the new year after a month (or two!) of festive overindulgence.
If you’ve been working hard to fight the bulge, you’re not alone. Christmas is a time for fun, family and food - and this seemed more important than ever after a tough 2020. So...don't beat yourself up if you (over) indulged over the festive period! Having said that, every January millions of us embark upon diet and fitness regimes in a bid to look and feel better. When you look good, you feel good which in turn can boost your confidence, self-esteem and general well-being. However, sometimes a little helping hand is needed to sculpt the body of your dreams.
Despite our best intentions, it’s hard (if not impossible!) to choose which part of the body the weight comes off; it can definitely feel like fat clings stubbornly to the areas you most want to improve, such as the chin, abdomen, thighs, bottom and upper arms. The CoolSculpting fat-freezing procedure can provide that helping hand by reducing fat pockets that resist efforts of diet and exercise. The results are noticeable and long lasting, so you'll look great from every angle.
Taking the steps to prepare your body helps create an easier treatment process; patients who have just about reached their ideal weight, or are within easy reach of their target goal, stand greater chance of obtaining the best results. Here are my top tips to ensure that your body is 'CoolSculpting-ready' for treatment:
Being physically fit and healthy
We can only treat adipose tissue which is the upper most part of fat: your ‘pinchable’ fat. By doing some quick, easy workouts daily you can ensure that visceral fat stays away. Visceral fat is commonly known as ‘belly' fat. Found inside your abdominal cavity - having too much can contribute towards serious health problems. However, this is something that is easily lost with exercise and diet and doing so will give you the ultimate sculpting experience and best health. It’s important to bear in mind that CoolSculpting is not a weight loss procedure and does not replace a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
During summer, the DRVICTORIA girls were loving Joe Wicks workouts in the morning, some cycling across the beautiful countryside and the ‘Couch to 5k’ app which was a great motivator. Now that we are well in the midst of winter, it's normal that motivation can wane. However, I have found that making sure I dedicate time to moving my body whether that's through yoga or a wintery walk for some Vitamin D and fresh air, is key to helping me stay on track. Some of the girls are lucky enough to have weights at home and so are getting involved in home gym workouts. If you find something you enjoy doing, exercise no longer feels like a chore which will give you the best chance of sticking with it in the long run, ensuring that the visceral fat comes off and stays off! This can make a huge difference when it comes to achieving your CoolSculpting goals.
Being mentally fit and healthy
It’s important to maintain a healthy mind as well as body. Practicing mindfulness is an important part and for this I would recommend Yoga and Pilates. Whilst our usual go-to yoga studios are closed, a few of the girls have been watching Cat Meffan’s YouTube channel where she offers all levels of yoga practice. Samantha has been following Tribe Yoga online – a local studio that live streams recorded yoga classes throughout the day. It’s such a fab way to start the day, taking a moment for yourself to move your body mindfully and set your goals for the day – plus it’s fun!
Having a good diet
Good nutrition is essential to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals to maintain a healthy immune system and gut, as well as keep your energy levels up. Making healthy choices means that you can maintain your optimum weight and not store any non-essential fats which can lead to your body gradually moving to a higher BMI. There are so many great recipes available online; I’ve loved trying out some Deliciously Ella and Secret Squirrel food recipes over the past few months. The key thing to maintain a healthy diet is to allow everything in moderation – fill your plate with plenty fruits and veggies but don’t deny yourself a slice of cake or G&T every now and then!
If you commit to these key mind and body goals you’ll be a perfect candidate for CoolSculpting treatment, and will be well on the way to achieving your dream body. Consultation is always required before treatment, so get in touch and we can see if this is the right option for you. In line with the Scottish Government's current lockdown restrictions, the clinic is temporarily closed but you can still book a consultation for once we re-open*. You can find out more about CoolSculpting here.
Steph
*We plan to re-open on Monday 1st February, subject to government restrictions at the time.
