Stubborn belly fat is the most dangerous kind of fat on your body. High waist size is correlated with increases in heart problems and diseases like diabetes. With busy lives and high levels of chronic stress, a large percentage of the population struggles with losing weight, particularly belly fat.
All hope isn't lost, however. Melting off stubborn belly flab and achieving weight loss is possible. With some time, dedication, and knowledge, you can accomplish your weight loss goals, feel healthy, and look fantastic. In this article, we discuss five ways you can lose belly fat and keep yourself in shape all year long.
Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy and wise, they say. According to scientific studies, this old saying has some merit.
On the flip side, make sure you're getting enough sleep. Regularly getting less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep raises your cortisol levels and makes losing belly fat more difficult. If waking up early means you can't get enough sleep, skip this step and prioritize getting high-quality rest via a simple night routine.
Fat isn't the enemy, even if you're trying to lose belly fat. Though you may think any type of fat gets stored straight on your body, that's not the case. In fact, you need a certain amount of fat in your diet in order for you and your cells to survive.
There are certain fats that are harmful, and should only be consumed in small quantities. Trans fats and saturated fats are found in processed and fast foods, like hamburgers and margarine. Healthy fats, on the other hand, found in foods like avocados, nuts, and seeds, help keep your heart healthy and can reduce body fat.
The best way to lose fat anywhere in your body, including your stomach, is by tracking the food you eat. Staying in a caloric deficit is the only way to shed pounds, whether you increase your activity level or decrease the amount you eat. Purchase a kitchen scale and carefully track what you eat, at least for the first few months. After that, you can consider eating more intuitively. Consider macro tracking as well, especially if you're lifting weights as part of your weight loss regime.
Being dehydrated causes your stomach to bloat uncomfortably. It also causes your body to send signals that cause you to think you're hungry when you really need a tall glass of water. If you find yourself always snacking and hungry, you might be dehydrated. Along your weight loss journey, try your best to limit calorie-laden drinks like juices, sodas, and alcohol, and instead replace them with water. The hydration will keep you full and help your skin and nails shine.
A common reason people struggle with weight loss is the feeling of never being full. Often, when someone first starts trying to shed a few pounds, they make drastic changes to their diet and lifestyle. Exercise time may increase, and consumption of calories may be drastically cut. In reality, this is setting yourself up for failure. Small changes are best and can be stacked as you master first one, then another.
A great change you can make is to alter your diet so it includes more protein. This will help you avoid empty calories and instead eat nutritious foods that provide your body with vital vitamins and minerals. Protein helps keep you feeling satisfied for longer, allowing you to lose weight without feeling deprived. Protein also helps you maintain and even build muscle mass, which revs your metabolism and allows you to eat more each day. Try to get more into your diet through meat, eggs, dairy products, or specialized protein bars and drinks.
Even without hours of exercise a day, you can shed pounds and lose inches off your waistline. With the warm and balmy days of summer slowly approaching, now is a great time to get a headstart on your healthier, slimmer body. We hope our tips helped you learn more about your body and how to treat it in a way that's good for your health without being restrictive.