If you’ve been watching what you eat or have recently started a new exercise regimen, then there’s a good chance that you’ve been taking a few measurements along the way.
Perhaps you weigh yourself every morning (especially after your morning visit to the bathroom). Or, if you don’t like having the numbers on the scale staring back at you, you may reach for your handy tape measure.
Tracking your progress while on a weight loss journey can be quite an emotional rollercoaster. Having tangible reminders of your success can be quite motivating…but also quite defeating.
After all, there’s nothing more depressing than choosing salads over cake all week, only to see an unexpected spike on the scale.
Or, even if you see the numbers on the scale drop, the girth of your middle hasn’t budged a single inch.
If you feel like you’re doing everything right, but your waistline hasn’t decreased at all, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with shedding unwanted belly fat, especially as they get older.
But why?
And what’s the big deal about carrying a few extra pounds around your midsection?
The fact is that belly fat is one of the worst kinds of fat you could have. Not only does it make it harder to have an attractive silhouette, but it’s actually quite dangerous. One way to burn that fat is through using fat burners. Check Discover to find the best fat burners in the market.
Shedding that weight isn’t just a cosmetic issue – if you’re holding on to extra abdominal fat, you could be putting your health at risk.
What Are the Two Main Types of Belly Fat?
There are two main types of belly fat that can form around your middle.
When you pinch your belly, you’re grabbing your subcutaneous fat. That’s the soft and squishy fat that hangs out on the surface of your body, just under the skin.
However, much deeper is something called visceral fat. That’s the fat that’s packed tightly around your organs. While it can certainly add heft to your belly, its danger runs far deeper.
This type of belly fat can be extremely harmful to you. It’s been shown to cause a huge assortment of health complications, ranging from diabetes to heart attack and even death.
The importance, therefore, of losing this fat is absolutely critical.
What Causes Abdominal Fat to Pile On?
There’s no one, singular thing that has been shown to cause abdominal fat to accumulate. In fact, there are many different factors that come into play that can lead to excess belly fat.
Your diet, though, can be partly to blame.
For instance, consuming too much sugar can lead to a buildup of visceral fat. Drinking too many soft drinks have been shown to cause belly fat to pile up.
Soda isn’t the only beverage that can result in visceral fat, either. Having too many alcoholic drinks can also cause you to pack on pounds around the middle.
What you drink isn’t the only influence on your belly fat. A diet high in carbohydrates and trans fats can also lead to excess visceral fat.
You know what’s really frustrating about abdominal fat? You could be eating right and exercising, but the weight can still continue to creep on.
At no fault of your own, even if you make healthy choices, the weight can just: poof! Almost like some kind of black magic, suddenly show up on your stomach.
That’s because sometimes, it really isn’t your fault that you’re gaining belly fat. Age has been shown to be a major contributor to it, too.
As you get older, your hormones change. In turn, how your body stores fat also changes. This can lead to fat building up around your middle.
Even if you’re making healthy dietary choices, you may not be able to escape visceral belly fat if you’re not taking care of yourself as a whole.
Two huge non-dietary triggers for visceral fat are stress and poor sleep.
People who are under a greater amount of stress have been shown to be more overweight than their more tranquil peers.
Not getting enough sleep can also quickly lead to abdominal obesity. The sweet spot for a trim waistline is sleeping between 7-8 hours each night.
Any less, and you could be seeing yourself with an unwanted muffin top before long.
How to Lose Your Visceral Fat Once and for All
Now that you know many of the different things that can be causing your abdominal fat, your next step is do actually do something about it!
Just like there are many different things that can lead to belly fat, there are many things you can do to lose it.
Sure, it may not be easy, but it’ll be worth it.
If your diet is to blame for your abdominal fat, then it’s best to switch to a healthier diet. Studies have shown that a diet that is lower in carbohydrates can lead to a slimmer midsection. Eating more protein and fat can also help, too.
If you think exercise may be your best bet for losing belly fat, think again. Diet really is the gold standard for fat loss. That said, if you want to burn belly fat, there’s nothing wrong with working out.
Skip the crunches. They won’t actually do anything for shedding belly fat. Instead, try HIIT (high-intensity interval training) to zap the fat away.
If your stressful lifestyle is to blame for your fat gain, then it might be beneficial to try to find healthy ways to manage it.
Taking up healthy hobbies can help, but don’t underestimate the power of venting. Reaching out to a therapist for professional support has been shown to help lead to fat loss.
Remember, this is the only body you’re going to get in this lifetime. You need to take care of it so you can continue to live your very best life.
Reduce Belly Fat to Look and Feel Your Best
There’s nothing wrong in wanting to feel good about yourself.
Having improved self-esteem and confidence can help you feel happier and more satisfied with your life.
But, when it comes to weight loss, it’s not just about fitting into a special outfit for a certain occasion. It’s more about protecting your health in the long run.
If you’re struggling with losing belly fat, then maybe it’s time to take a hard look at yourself.
Are you eating too many refined carbs? Not engaging in regular exercise? Enjoying too many cocktails on the weekends?
Fortunately, while shedding abdominal fat can be somewhat difficult, it’s not a completely futile effort. By taking small steps, you can start to lose this weight and transform your body once and for all.
Over time, the reflection you see in the mirror will be one that makes you feel proud and confident.
Yes, looking good is important.
But feeling good, strong, and healthy?
That’s what really matters.
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