1. Alcohol Belly:
Nothing can be more soothing than a nice gold alcoholic beverage on a hot summer day. But when one beer turns into another and another, and this becomes a daily routine for you, you’re not doing any favors to your waistline. Psychology Today explains that at 7 calories per gram, alcohol contains nearly twice as much as that, as well as four carbohydrates per gram. The problem here is that the body stores carbohydrates and fat as glycogen (another form of sugar) in the liver and muscle. They add that the body cannot store alcohol, unfortunately, so when consumed, it must be burnt immediately.
To get rid of it, the first thing you might want to do is tone down the drinking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2015-2020 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that men should consume no more than two alcoholic drinks per day, and women should consume no more than one alcoholic drink per day. The second thing, according to Tom Cowen, head personal trainer for Xercise4less, is “to have a state of negative energy balance – burn more calories than you’re consuming,” he told the Daily Star.
2. Post Pregnancy Belly:
Granted, after a woman gives birth, there will be some excess fat. But recent research has suggested that the extra weight may not only be from pregnancy, but rather the result of poor lifestyle choices following the pregnancy. A study, which is published in the journal Women’s Health Issues, conducted a study to see if there was an association between excess belly weight and post pregnancy lifestyle choices. The study consisted of over 32,000 women with at least two births in Wisconsin between 2006 and 2013.
What Olga Yakusheva, the study’s lead author, and her colleagues found was that in the study, each woman gained almost two pounds a year because of their age. But what they found troubling is that once their babies became toddlers; the mothers gained a full extra pound annually compared to their childless peers. In a press release with Michigan News, Yakusheva explains why she believes this occurred, “Mothers tend to put the needs of their children first, so they might not be exercising or taking care of themselves,” she said. “It might also be little things like finishing the food on their child’s plate or spending more time sitting with their kids reading or watching a movie.”
To get rid of that excess fat, Dr. Kara Mohr, an exercise psychologist, and fitness expert, told Fitness Magazine: “I would suggest increasing the intensity of your cardio workouts, making sure you include intervals (alternating walking with fast walking or sprinting). And be sure your strength training includes combination moves that work multiple muscles including the core (plank rows, push-ups, squat with military press, etc) rather than single muscle groups.”
3. Stress Belly:
The Daily Mail reports that a stressful life could contribute to excess weight in the abdominal area. They spoke to health expert Jackie Wicks, co-author of new book Cheats & Eats: Lifestyle Programme, and she explained to them that cortisol, which is also called the stress hormone, becomes too high for a lengthy period of time, and can increase the amount of fat stored in the stomach. So the key to losing that excess stomach fat caused by stress is to try and destress yourself. Wicks recommends taking a hot bath on a regular basis. She explains that they have been shown to lower cortisol levels. She also adds that going for a walk every day not only helps burn calories but can also be a great way to clear your mind, the Daily Mail reported.
4. Hormonal Belly:
According to Rachel Attard, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist, a hormonal imbalance can contribute to weight gain. She explains how estrogen and progesterone can cause weight gain. The first point she makes is that high estrogen levels can increase insulin, which can lead to sugar cravings. This is why you see many women eat chocolate during PMS. Another point she makes is that high levels of estrogen have the ability to cause more fatty tissue growth. In most cases, she states that the excess fat is usually around the stomach area because estrogen also dictates where the body will distribute fat.
The last point that she makes is that a hormonal imbalance can cause difficulties with appetite and sleep. Progesterone can calm the brain, while estrogen gives off a more exciting response. So, women who have high estrogen levels find it difficult to sleep at night, which disrupts leptin, the hormone responsible for your appetite. The more sleep deprived you are, the more hungry you may become, Attard says. To lower your estrogen levels, Livestrong recommends eating carrots. According to Natalie Ledesma, MS, RD, CSO, at the University of California, who spoke with Livestrong, carrots contain beta-carotene, which is effective in reducing the growth of estrogen receptor positive and negative.
5. Bloated Belly:
Kate Patton, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic, told Health.com that eating too many processed foods can be the reason why people are gaining belly fat instead of losing it. She said, “Refined grains like white bread, crackers, and chips, as well as refined sugars in sweetened drinks and desserts, increase inflammation in our bodies, belly fat is associated with inflammation, so eating too many processed foods will hinder your ability to lose belly fat.” Patton suggests that people consume foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains because they are full of antioxidants and contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent or remove belly fat.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, excess abdominal fat is a key predictor of heart disease, diabetes and several types of cancer. But you shouldn’t get rid of your belly fat just to protect your health; you should also do it because it makes you feel good as an individual. Restoring confidence in yourself is also a great way to ensure you stay healthy. Just remember, losing weight, especially in your belly is not an easy process, so do not get discouraged and stay motivated and you’ll achieve your goals.
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