Losing weight with lipoedema: can exercise help?

Can lipedema be treated with exercise?

While exercise can help in the treatment of lipoedema, it is important to emphasize that it cannot completely cure lipoedema. Lipoedema is a chronic condition caused by genetic and hormonal factors. The fat cells affected by lipoedema respond differently to diet and exercise than normal fat cells. People with lipedema should have realistic expectations and take a comprehensive approach to treatment, including medical therapies, compression garments and surgery if necessary.

“It’s not about becoming someone else.
It’s about discovering the best version of yourself.”

Dr. med. Nauras Abuagela, Specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery

How does exercise help with lipoedema?

Even if the abnormal fat cells cannot be reduced through exercise, regular exercise makes a valuable contribution to the everyday life of lipoedema sufferers.

Exercise promotes blood circulation and lymph flow, which is particularly important for reducing swelling and preventing fluid retention in the tissues. Think of your lymphatic system as the body’s garbage disposal – by exercising you help to keep this process going.

Sport can also help to strengthen the muscles. Strong muscles stabilize the affected body parts and can relieve pain. You will notice that regular exercise makes you feel more stable and stronger overall. In addition, endorphins – the so-called happiness hormones – are released during exercise. These not only increase your physical well-being, but also your mental well-being and help to reduce stress.

However, it is important to choose gentle and targeted exercises to avoid overloading. Listen to your body’s signals and take breaks when you need them. Exercising incorrectly or too intensively can make the symptoms worse. With the right exercises, you can effectively combat the symptoms of lipoedema and significantly improve your quality of life. Stay patient and treat yourself with care – every small step in the right direction counts.

Sports for lipoedema

Not all sports are equally suitable for people with lipoedema. Certain sports that cause a high impact or heavy strain on the joints, such as jogging or jumping, can aggravate lipoedema and cause pain. It is therefore advisable to opt for sports that are easy on the joints and do not place excessive strain on the body, but still allow effective physical activity.

Here are some sports that are particularly suitable:

Swimming:
Swimming is an excellent full-body workout that uses almost all muscle groups in a way that is easy on the joints. Breaststroke and backstroke are particularly suitable for strengthening the muscles and stimulating the circulation.

Water gymnastics:
Water gymnastics is ideal for the joints and strengthens the muscles at the same time. The buoyancy of the water relieves pressure on the legs and enables pain-free movement. This form of exercise improves blood circulation and promotes lymphatic drainage.

Nordic walking:
Nordic walking uses poles to distribute the load evenly over the whole body. This sport improves endurance, strengthens the muscles and is particularly easy on the joints. Exercising in the fresh air also promotes general well-being.

Cycling:
Cycling is an ideal sport for people with lipoedema as it activates the muscles, promotes blood circulation and strengthens the body as a whole. It can be practiced both outdoors and on an exercise bike.

Yoga and Pilates:
These gentle sports focus on posture, breathing, flexibility and relaxation. Yoga and Pilates can help to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and reduce stress. Gentle forms of yoga such as hatha or yin yoga stimulate lymph flow and can reduce swelling.

Strength training:
Targeted strength training can strengthen the muscles and boost the metabolism. This can help to tone the body and improve the appearance of lipoedema. It is important to perform the exercises correctly and use moderate weights to avoid injury.

Exercise for lipoedema – tips for getting started

All beginnings are difficult, especially for lipoedema sufferers. Excessive exercise and sporting activities are very stressful, both physically and emotionally. The following tips can therefore help you get started:

• Start slowly: Start with short training sessions and gradually increase the intensity and duration.
• Regularity: Try to exercise at least three to four times a week.
• Listen to your body: Pay attention to your body’s signals and avoid overexertion.
• Professional support: Seek advice from a physiotherapist or fitness trainer who has experience with lipoedema patients.

Further tips for losing weight with lipoedema

When losing weight with lipoedema, it is important to set realistic goals and take a healthy approach. In addition to exercise, this can also help to control your weight:

• Balanced diet:
  Focus on a nutrient-rich, high-fiber diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats. Avoid highly processed foods, sugary drinks and excessive snacking.
• Drink plenty of water:
  Drink enough water to keep your body hydrated and boost your metabolism. Water can also help to reduce swelling and promote lymph flow.
• Stress management:
  Stress can affect your hormone balance and make weight loss more difficult. Find ways to reduce stress, such as through regular relaxation exercises, meditation or yoga.

Positive effects on the complaints

Once you have found the right exercises for you, you will notice positive effects relatively quickly. You will soon feel relief from the discomfort and it will make your strenuous everyday life much easier. Even if the circumference of the affected areas cannot be significantly reduced through exercise alone, it is important to maintain a stable weight. Targeted exercises promote lymphatic drainage and stimulate the metabolism.

I also recommend that my patients wear compression garments, even when exercising. Whether through regular exercise or after liposuction – every positive change to your body will boost your self-esteem. You will notice how you feel more comfortable in your own skin again and will be able to put self-doubt to one side.

What helps permanently against lipoedema?

Holistic treatment, which includes a change in diet, exercise and wearing compression garments, is usually required to take optimal action against lipoedema. One method of permanently removing the diseased fat cells is liposuction. In this surgical procedure, the excess fat deposits are suctioned out in a targeted manner in order to improve the appearance and alleviate the symptoms. Liposuction should be performed by an experienced plastic surgeon.

Conclusion

I know how stressful lipoedema can be and how important it is to feel comfortable in your own skin. In addition to liposuction, an effective treatment method to remove the diseased fatty tissue, regular exercise can do a lot to alleviate the symptoms.

As a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery, I have many years of experience in the field of lipoedema surgery. I would be pleased to welcome you for a personal consultation at the Frankfurt practice DOCTOR NAURAS ABUAGELA.

Written by:

Dr. med. Nauras Abuagela

Specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery

Specialist in gentle anti-ageing treatments and innovative laser medicine. Dr. Abuagela combines medical expertise with a keen sense of aesthetic harmony and has been successfully treating patients with state-of-the-art skin rejuvenation procedures for years.