In just over a year, a Texas man cut 16 inches from his waistline just by counting calories and walking around the mall every day. Why? Because his waistline was over 58 inches wide and studies have shown belly fat is a health danger. His story is one of several covered in a 2003 USA Today article on the importance of belly fat reduction. There's no way to target belly fat by itself, so the best way to lose belly fat is to lose overall body weight.
What Causes Belly Fat?
The simple answer is eating too much, but genetics also play a role. Men are more prone to store weight around the belly than women. However, after menopause women are also more likely to carry weight around the midsection.
The Mayo Clinic website states that belly fat gets packed around the internal organs and it can release hormones that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, insulin resistance and more. If a man's waist is larger than 40 inches, or if a woman's waist is larger than 35 inches, belly fat is considered a potential health risk. Like the man in Texas, steps should be taken to reduce it.
Getting rid of belly fat might seem more difficult than getting rid of other body fat, but it's actually easier.
Best Ways to Lose Belly Fat
According to doctors at the University of Alabama, Birmingham Medical Center, belly fat removal is the first result of any weight loss program. The UAB website reports that if only 10 to 15% of total body weight is lost, then about 30% of the body's stored belly fat will be removed. So for example, if a 200-pound person loses only 20 to 30 pounds, as much as 30% of their belly fat will be banished, too. And that means a decreased risk of health problems.
What's the fastest way to lose weight? Diet and exercise. The doctors at UAB recommend 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, like walking, per day. They also recommend two or three sessions of weight training per week. Weight training builds muscle tissue, and muscle burns fat.
What about diet? The fastest way to lose weight is to choose a diet program that's easily incorporated into everyday life. A diet can only be successful if a person can stick to it.
Get Rid of Belly Fat for Good
Belly fat removal is easy with a sensible diet and exercise plan. After getting rid of belly fat, it's just a matter of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to keep fat banished. And the health benefits of losing belly fat can't be understated. Heart disease, stroke, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalance are all potential byproducts of too much belly fat, so it pays to start losing weight as soon as possible.
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