Have you noticed yourself getting a little more apple shaped as the years go by? Do you notice that belly fat is the hardest to shift? What started as a small apron, may now have become a hanging gut. If you have had a battle of the bulge, you might find yourself asking what gets in the way of the svelter figure, and looking for ways to get rid of it.
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Difference Of Fat Buildup
There are two main types of fat called subcutaneous and visceral fat. Whilst too much of any fat is not good, there are some big differences between the two, and understanding them helps you to get on top of the build-up of bulge.
Subcutaneous fat can be found all over the body. It might be thicker on the arms than say the fingers, but it is the type of fat that covers the whole body. In small amounts, this fat is essential for providing warmth over the winter months. However, as it builds up, subcutaneous fat can result in visceral fat, which is much more dangerous.
Visceral fat is the evident belly fat that stubbornly hangs around the torso. Fat specific to the area around your abdomen is particularly dangerous because it surrounds your internal organs, and having too much fat in this area can cause orphans to stick together; impeding liver function. Also this kind of fat can contribute to diabetes and insulin resistance. Despite its counterpart being relatively innocuous, this type of fat is dangerous, as it risks inflammation and suffocation of organs. Sometimes people with a build up of visceral fat can still look reasonably thin, although if you are obese, there is no doubt that you will be carrying visceral fat.
What Causes Belly Fat?
A build up of belly fat can be brought on by different diet, exercise and lifestyle choices. For example anyone who eats too much processed food, too many refined carbohydrates and sugars is likely to have a pronounced belly, and dieting to alter this is an essential way to keep the bulge at bay.
Unfortunately, as we age, it is even more important to keep the belly fat at bay, as it carries associated risks such as diabetes, certain types of cancer, and even Alzheimer’s and other mental issues. As we get older our bodies get more stubborn, so if you’re getting on a bit, you might find that you need to do something about the belly fat sooner, rather than later.
Many of us have sedentary jobs these days, where we are required to sit behind a screen for most of the day. Without getting up and moving around, as our predecessors would have done, we can pile on the pounds.
Stress and a busy lifestyle can lead to a build up of visceral fat because our bodies prepare for conflict using the cortisone hormone, which causes the body to enter fight or flight mode. Despite the fact that we often don’t exercise to reduce stress, our bodies still naturally crave refuelling just from stressful situations. Exercising and using up the energy that anxiety creates would be a more effective way of the body dealing with this reaction.
How Do I Lose Belly Fat?
Many people believe that there are specific exercises which help to maintain a svelte figure, but actually a lot of the well-known exercises such as sit ups can be more of a hindrance than a help because they create stronger muscles, resulting in a bigger look.
The most effective ways of reducing belly fat are to eat a healthy diet, with more fruit, vegetables and legumes and less refined carbs and sugar; get frequent exercise, such as high cardio training; and relax properly when you can. This may incur a full life overhaul, but the clock won’t stop ticking if you are overweight and have too much visceral fat.
A totally comprehensive guide to getting a flat belly, and keeping the weight off is the Belly Fat Furnace program. Designed to turn your body into a fat burning furnace, this program has everything you need to know about beating the bulge for good.