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How do you lose belly fat?

Posted by on 26 January 2010 | 0 Comments

Dangers of belly fat The particular fat that accumulates in this abdominal area is called visceral fat, or better known to us as belly fat. Not only can visceral fat be unpleasant from an aesthetic perspective, but it also serves as a sign or a reminder that you may not be as healthy as you should be. Visceral fat is dangerous because it is this fat that is metabolized by the liver, turning it into cholesterol and circulating that through the blood. This results in a dangerous plaque build up and a consequently narrowing of the arteries. The more visceral\abdominal fat you have, the more likely you are to suffer heart disease, diabetes, stroke and hypertension. This is relevant for both men and women. What causes belly fat? * A sedentary lifestyle lacking physical activity will increase visceral fat * Diet - an unbalanced high calorie diet * Stress hormones contribute to an increase * Genetics determine whether some people are more likely to develop visceral fat then others * Smoking creates the same hormones as stress How to get rid of visceral/abdominal fat? You cannot reduce the bulge by spot reducing or just doing abdominal exercises. This means, exercises targeting the belly area such as crunches or sit ups will not decrease visceral fat. What they will do however is firm and tone the muscles that will become visible once you reduce the viseral fat. As I always like to say, we all have a six pack, it's just covered by a doona in most cases! What exercises should you do? Cardio - walking (many people underestimate the importance of walking), running, and aerobic training. At least 30 mins at a time, several times per week. Strength training - increasing muscle mass to increase your metabolism. Watch your diet Exercise alone will not reduce any level of fat. You need to combine exercise with a good diet. Be consistent. Eating a balanced diet without actually “dieting” is the way to go. This is something that you can work into your life so that your eating habits become normal without the effort. Eat plenty of vegetables and wholegrains like brown bread, brown rice with plenty of fiber for a healthy and regular digestive system. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to cleanse your system. This will also help to control your appetite Tips for Stress A better diet and particularly more exercise will help decrease your stress levels. Take time out for yourself and some interests to help monitor your stress and this will be highly conducive to losing the belly.