Hello Everybody,
One of the hardest things to do is lose belly fat. It seems to remain even though you are losing weight elsewhere. So how do you target this area? The short answer is you cannot. Various exercises, such as sit ups and crunches, are sometimes recommended for reducing fat around the belly and waist. These may help a little, but not much, as they are building muscle rather than decreasing fat. But we must try to reduce fat in this area. It can generate oestrogen and excess chemicals in the stomach which can result in a number of illnesses such as cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Belly fat and a spare tyre are risky things to have.
The problem of not being able to reduce fat in specific areas means that you have to reduce your overall body weight. Do this enough and the fat around your middle will disappear as well. It will be the last to go and that is why people say they cannot get rid of it. It just takes longer. You will need a diet and exercise program to lose weight. Not just diet, not just exercise, you will have to do both every day.
Walking is an excellent exercise for relaxation and peace of mind as well as for losing weight. But we must be realistic about what we can achieve. A person weighing 168 pounds walking at a fairly leisurely 2 miles an hour will consume 100 calories per mile walked. That is good you may think and it is. However it may be tempting to call into a coffee shop along the way and enjoy a small latte. You should know that the 200 calories in your latte will take an hour to walk off. If you have an almond croissant as well you can add a few more hours of walking to burn away the calories.
So to lose that belly fat you need to eat a more healthy diet as well as exercising. If you are overweight it is probably because you have been eating a lot of animal fats, sugars and carbohydrates such as white bread. You may have eaten junk food or deep fried food. Perhaps you are addicted to caffeine or fizzy drinks. Think about what you have been eating and try to eat in a more healthy way. Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, lean meat and oily fish such as mackerel. This is not a case of moving from food you like to food that tastes terrible. Check out the Mediterranean diet on the internet. You will find multiple dishes and snacks which are not only good for you but which actually taste better than the dreaded small latte and almond croissant.
Losing a fat midriff takes time and some effort but the results are well worth that effort. You will not only look good and feel good you will lengthen your life as well.
See you soon,
Peter Stockwell
22 April 2010
Photo. Ricardo Carreon
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