3 Types of Belly Fat and How to Get Rid of It

Guest blog post by Luke Douglas from www.ripped.me

Love handles. Nobody loves them, and yet they tend to stick around for quite a while. Many people suffer from the dreaded belly fat, and the thing is that even when they try to do something about it, they make a crucial mistake that prevents them from losing it. Namely, not all types of body fat are the same which means that they are caused by different factors. Before you start any regimen to help you get rid of ab flab, you’ll first have to determine what kind of belly type is yours. Otherwise, you’ll get stuck in a vicious circle of dieting and weight gain.

Stress belly fat

It’s a common misconception that people lose weight when they are under a great deal of stress. It’s usually the other way around and not only because a related issue called stress eating. The human body has an excellent survival mechanism that activates when we’re in danger. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is responsible for preparing our body to deal with threatening situations, but it’s also produced in cases of regular, everyday stress. High levels of this hormone over an extended period of time are very likely to result in gaining a lot of fat around the waist. This fat is called visceral, and it can lead to numerous health issues, including heart disease and type-2 diabetes. Another problem lies in the fact that stressed people eat too much comfort food and try to compensate for that by overtraining and extremely strict dieting, which is counterproductive and only aggravates their problem. So, a healthy diet and physical activity are necessary for getting rid of this type of belly fat, but reducing stress levels is equally important. A good night’s sleep, meditation, and yoga can help you relax and lower your levels of cortisol. Another problem lies in the fact that people become frustrated when their regimen doesn’t show any visible results as quickly as they hope it would, so it’s not unusual for them to fall off the wagon and slip into their bad dietary habits again. To speed up the whole process of trimming fat, it’s a good idea to give it a boost with the help of effective weight loss supplements. Dropping down a dress size can be a powerful motivator, which is especially important at the beginning of the weight loss journey.  

The bloated belly

It’s not exactly belly fat, but it’s equally unpleasant. If your bathroom scale shows that you’ve gained a couple of pounds over a day or two, and if you’re feeling like a balloon, then bloating is the most probable culprit. Other symptoms include gassiness and abdominal discomfort.  Your belly puffs up due to water and gas retention. People who eat lots of fatty foods, sugar, or drink carbonated drinks frequently experience these unpleasant sensations. Cutting sugar is always a good idea, just be careful because many seemingly healthy foods are loaded with this harmful ingredient.  Sometimes, though, the cause might be food intolerances or even allergies. Lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, or even celiac disease, are among the most common digestive issues, and they’re responsible for chronic bloating. A simple breath test can establish whether you suffer from any of these so that you can adjust your diet and eliminate foods that make you feel gassy, bloated, and sluggish. Swallowing too much air while you talk or eat is another cause of gassiness and bloating, so make sure not to eat on the run, and try some breathing techniques. Nutritionists say that even sugar-free chewing gum can lead to bloating, mainly because it contains artificial sweeteners that are hard to digest. Taking probiotics can also relieve this condition, and make your belly flat again.

Apple body type

Some people, especially women, are prone to having an apple-shaped body characterized by a big, round belly. This is a genetically caused issue, which may sound depressing and ultimately unchangeable, and experts say that if women in your family are predominantly apple shaped, then it’s very likely that you’ll be, too. Apart from being an aesthetic issue, this kind of belly fat is also linked to an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, so managing it is of vital importance for your health. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have any control over this issue. Physical activity and a proper diet, consisting of lean protein and fiber. It takes more energy to burn protein than any other type of food, which, basically, means that when you eat lean meat, your body is actually burning fat in order to digest it. Cut simple carbs and opt for whole grains, such as bulgur, quinoa, or buckwheat. In order to override your DNA impact, make sure to exercise at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. Yoga is also beneficial, as well as cycling, and aquaarobics.

Belly fat can be very persistent and frustrating, but changing your mindset and lifestyle can help you eliminate it.

Guest blog post by Luke Douglas from www.ripped.me