Introduction
Do you want to reduce your belly fat? You may be surprised to learn that there are certain habits that can help you do just that. Eating the right foods and making small lifestyle changes can help you reduce your belly fat and improve your overall health. In this article, we will discuss some surprising habits that can help you shrink your belly fat. We will also provide some tips on what to eat and what to avoid in order to achieve your goals. So, if you’re looking to reduce your belly fat, read on to learn more about these surprising habits that can help you do just that.
Surprising Habits That Shrink Your “Belly Fat”
If you’re looking to reduce your belly fat, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with this issue, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, there are some simple habits that can help you reduce your belly fat and get the body you want.
Eat This, Not That
The first step to reducing your belly fat is to make sure you’re eating the right foods. Eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help you reduce your belly fat. Avoid processed foods, sugary snacks, and high-calorie drinks. Instead, focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods that are packed with nutrients.
Get Moving
Exercise is essential for reducing belly fat. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day. This can include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, or any other activity that gets your heart rate up. Strength training is also important for reducing belly fat, as it helps to build muscle and burn calories.
Reduce Stress
Stress can be a major contributor to belly fat. When you’re stressed, your body releases the hormone cortisol, which can cause your body to store fat in your midsection. To reduce stress, try activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. You can also try to get more sleep, as lack of sleep can also contribute to stress.
Drink More Water
Drinking plenty of water can help you reduce your belly fat. Water helps to flush out toxins and keep your body hydrated. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. You can also try adding lemon or cucumber slices to your water for a refreshing flavor.
Cut Back on Alcohol
Alcohol can be a major contributor to belly fat. Alcohol is high in calories and can cause your body to store fat in your midsection. Try to limit your alcohol intake to one or two drinks per day. If you’re having trouble cutting back, try replacing alcoholic drinks with sparkling water or low-calorie drinks.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for reducing belly fat. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases hormones that can cause your body to store fat in your midsection. Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try avoiding screens before bed and creating a relaxing bedtime routine.
Conclusion
Reducing your belly fat can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. By following these simple habits, you can start to see results in no time. Eating the right foods, exercising regularly, reducing stress, drinking more water, cutting back on alcohol, and getting enough sleep can all help you reduce your belly fat and get the body you want.
No one welcomes excess body fat wherever it may appear, but belly fat is a special cause for concern. This type of fat—also known as visceral fat—sits deep within the abdomen, around vital organs like the liver, pancreas and intestines, and it can cause serious health issues. If you’re putting on belly fat, it’s best to lose it ASAP, and it might be easier than you think. Here are five surprising habits that shrink belly fat. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Think burning fat is all about spending hours on the treadmill or other forms of sweaty cardio? Experts say that’s not the most efficient way—resistance exercise is key. A 2021 review of studies found that resistance training—either working out with weights, weight machines, or your own bodyweight—effectively reduces belly fat in healthy adults. Resistance training builds lean muscle, which helps you burn more fat even at rest. Experts recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly, with two sessions of resistance training. And doing more will get more results: Research indicates that exercising for 60 minutes a day can burn up to 30% of your belly fat in three months.
But even if you can’t work out for an hour a day, short bursts (or “exercise snacks”) can go a long way toward burning belly fat. A recent Korean study found that overweight people who did stair-climbing intervals twice a day for five minutes without stopping lost an average of 7.3 pounds of body weight and 5.5 pounds of body fat in just three weeks.
What does lying flat on your back have to do with burning belly fat? Plenty, when it comes to sleep. Not only is not getting enough sleep (less than seven hours) associated with belly fat growth, when you hit the hay also seems to have an effect. In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers found that people who went to bed after 10pm had a 20% higher risk of being obese or having a large waistline. In people whose regular bedtimes were between 2 and 6am, the risk was almost double. Scientists think late bedtimes might increase the production of stress hormones, which tell the body to put on and preserve belly fat.
According to a recent study published in the journal Obesity Science & Practice, people who drink more beer and spirits tend to have higher levels of visceral fat. Conversely, people who drank wine instead had lower levels of visceral fat. So if you indulge, you might want to swap out your libation of choice. But don’t take up drinking in the hopes of burning fat. Experts say that because all alcohol is empty calories, it’s best to skip it if you want to lose weight, or to drink only in moderation: meaning two drinks a day at most for men, or one drink a day max for women.
The popular conception is that stress goes right to your head and your heart, but headaches, high blood pressure, and heartburn aren’t its only complications—uncontrolled stress can cause you to end up with a gut as well. Feelings of stress cause the brain to produce more cortisol, the “stress hormone” that instructs the body to hold on to fat around the abdomen. “A study of stressed out middle-aged Swedish men showed that those with the highest cortisol levels also had the biggest beer bellies,” says the American Institute of Stress. “Since abdominal fat also tends to increase cortisol levels, this can lead to a vicious and unhealthy cycle, especially in women. There is little doubt that increased stress and/or cortisol can cause increased abdominal fat and weight gain.” Stress-reducing strategies like exercise and relaxation techniques can reduce free-floating cortisol and help shrink belly fat. And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Michael Martin