Keto Means
Photo by ready made Pexels Logo Photo: ready made

What part of the body gets skinny first?

The first place men typically lose weight is the belly, while women tend to lose weight all over, but hold onto weight in their thighs and hips, Dr. Block explains.

How fast can I get into ketosis?
How fast can I get into ketosis?

It typically takes 2–4 days to enter ketosis if you eat fewer than 50 grams of carbs per day. However, some people may take longer depending on...

Read More »
Can I eat cucumbers everyday?
Can I eat cucumbers everyday?

“Eating just one cucumber a day can be great! It mostly contains water. So, even if you were to eat more than one, it won't cause any harm. In...

Read More »

Every time you put on a few pounds or lose a few, whether it's due to stress, changes in eating, or shifting in exercise habits, it may seem like it happens first in one or two spots. It begs the question: Where do you lose weight first—and do you lose weight from certain areas faster than others?

Think about it: For some people, they gain or lose first in the belly, hips, or thighs; for others, that weight might go straight to or from the boobs. Or, you may notice the weight leave your face immediately, for instance. The truth is, as much as you think you might be targeting certain areas for weight loss with so-called belly fat-busting or butt and thigh workouts, studies have found that you can't necessarily control where fat loss occurs. But do some body parts naturally slim down at a faster rate? Experts explain what areas of the body tend to trim down first—and why.

More From Women's Health

Where do you typically lose weight first?

First of all, weight loss is going to be a different scenario between men and women. "Men and women tend to lose weight differently based on the types of fat they contain and childbearing factors," says Romy Block, MD, an endocrinologist and co-founder of Vous Vitamin. For example, research has shown that women have more subcutaneous fat, a type of fat that deposits right underneath the skin and is partially responsible for women's curves, than men. The first place men typically lose weight is the belly, while women tend to lose weight all over, but hold onto weight in their thighs and hips, Dr. Block explains. When it comes to weight loss, though, it's less about your natural body shape and more about genetics, how your hormones work, and your metabolism, says Dr. Block. Regardless, she adds, you can't choose a specific area of focus for weight loss. Janet Brill, PhD, RD, a Philadelphia-based nutritionist, theorizes that where fat melts off on your body first is totally different for everyone, and you might lose weight from wherever you last gained it. "If you tend to gain weight around your waist, you'll likely lose weight from your midsection first as well," says Brill. Meanwhile, if weight goes straight to your boobs—as it does for many women—you'll probably notice it leave your chest first, too. In some cases, you might lose weight from around your internal organs as well. Dr. Block notes that this is the case specifically in people who have NASH, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Even losing 5 percent of your body weight can boost the function of organs like the liver.

When frying pork chops How do you know when they're done?
When frying pork chops How do you know when they're done?

When the chops appear to be fully cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to check their internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the...

Read More »
How do you cook pork chops so they don't get tough?
How do you cook pork chops so they don't get tough?

Undercooked pork carries the risk of food-borne illness, and overcooked pork can be dried-out, tough, and chewy. Cook your chop until it's around...

Read More »

Why do women hold on to weight in the hip and thigh area?

The other factor at play when it comes to where you shed weight is Mother Nature's plan for your body to be always be ready to get pregnant. For that reason, many women say that the fat around their hips, butts, and thighs stays put for the first several weeks of a weight-loss regimen—while their backs, calves, and even their faces begin to thin out much sooner. "The fat on these body parts [the hips, butt, and thighs] is crucial for childbearing," says Brill, "which is why most women notice that their body naturally hangs onto it as long as possible." The increased fat in these areas is related to the higher levels of estrogen necessarily for fertility, Dr. Block adds. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. As people near menopause, weight gain may shift to the belly. Because you have lower estrogen levels during menopause, more fat might distribute to the abdominal area, says Dr. Block. Soo...is there any way to lose belly fat first? Asking for a friend. In a perfect world, you could switch things up so you lose weight from where you want to first. But the fact is, you don't really have much control over where the pounds peel off first…with one caveat: "When you work out, your metabolism increases, and that helps get rid of some of the visceral fat that goes to your stomach and abs area," Brill says. It's just a modest difference and doesn't count as spot reducing—but it's something to keep in mind if your body hangs onto belly fat forever and you want the waistband of your jeans to feel roomier faster. 30 Healthy Summer Crock Pot Recipes For When It’s Too Hot To Cook Open Gallery

Will veggies kick me out of ketosis?
Will veggies kick me out of ketosis?

Vegetables have carbohydrates. And that means that you have to watch how much you eat — even lettuce. If you're not careful or are eating them as a...

Read More »
Can you eat tomatoes on a low carb diet?
Can you eat tomatoes on a low carb diet?

Tomatoes are relatively low in total carbohydrates, and they contain many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. As tomatoes do not contain much...

Read More »

Other than potentially speeding up your metabolism, focused exercise is not going to shed weight in any one specific area. Your body has a mind of its own in terms of deciding where to lose weight and when, the experts say. However, the healthiest way to lose weight is a combination of diet and exercise. That's really key—one without the other won't have as much of a long-term impact. "Diet will directly impact stored energy, while exercise will increase your metabolism and help you keep the weight off," Dr. Block says.

What's the best way to start losing weight?

Don't think of weight loss as a sprint—really, it's a marathon. "Small changes [to your diet and exercise plans] can make big differences over time and impact your health and energy in a significant way," Dr. Block says. Even cutting out high-calorie drinks, including your favorite flavored latte and mixed drinks, is a good place to start. Of course, leveling up your exercise routine also can positively impact your metabolism (HIIT workouts can help you blast fat and increase your endurance, too). Adding more movement to your life, Dr. Block says, like walking around the block an extra time and adding more stairs as opposed to elevators to your routine, can also contribute.

What weight do you lose first on keto?
What weight do you lose first on keto?

Anecdotally, people report losses within the first week of anywhere from 1 pound (0.5 kg) to 10 or more pounds (5 kg). The larger you are, the more...

Read More »
What food cleanse your kidneys?
What food cleanse your kidneys?

Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is effective in preventing oxidative stress of the kidneys. ... Kidney Beans. Kidney beans not only...

Read More »
How long do you do keto before you lose weight?
How long do you do keto before you lose weight?

How long does it take to see results on keto? As we previously noted, most people will see some results within the first week or two, including a...

Read More »
Why do people put spaghetti in chili?
Why do people put spaghetti in chili?

Comer of Indianapolis submitted her chili recipe, which called for a "10 cent piece of boiling beef" and spaghetti, to an Indianapolis newspaper....

Read More »