| There are many and varied reasons why people gain | | | | to say that high levels of cortisol are merely one |
| weight around the belly. It is highly likely that one | | | | contributing factor to storage of abdominal fat, not |
| factor alone is not the cause but rather an | | | | the primary cause. |
| accumulation of several contributing factors can lead | | | | 4) Age: |
| to weight creeping on unnoticed. | | | | Age plays a big role in the accumulation of belly fat. |
| Research has highlighted five important factors that | | | | As we get older our metabolism gradually slows |
| have been shown to effect how much fat is stored | | | | down. That means you do not burn calories as fast |
| around your middle. | | | | or as easily as you did when you were younger. A |
| These are: | | | | slower metabolism can also result in extra storage of |
| 1) Improper diet: | | | | fat, particularly around the middle. It is very important |
| The number one cause of excess stomach fat is | | | | as we get older to maintain a level of physical |
| improper diet. Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is the | | | | activity to increase metabolism and burn belly fat. |
| biggest component for long term consistent weight | | | | 5) Digestion: |
| loss. In order to lose weight your body must burn | | | | Improper digestion may cause several problems such |
| more calories than you consume. Reducing your | | | | as gas, bloating and occasional abdominal pains. Many |
| calorie intake combined with healthy eating habits can | | | | people who complain about persistent belly fat are |
| greatly reduce the amount of fat around your middle | | | | actually suffering from excess gas which causes the |
| and the rest of your body. | | | | belly to look bloated. |
| 2) Genetics: | | | | Increasing the amount of fresh, raw, organic fruits |
| Genetics plays a huge role in your appearance. Some | | | | and vegetables into your diet will provide a natural |
| people have a tendency to store fat in the lower half | | | | source of enzymes and fibre to help break down |
| of their body, hips and thighs, (typically pear shape) | | | | what you eat and flush all the toxic substances that |
| while others tend to store fat around their middle | | | | can cause symptoms such as gas, bloating and |
| (apple shape). | | | | constipation. |
| If one or both of your parents has a tendency to | | | | Conclusion |
| store fat around the middle then there is a fairly high | | | | Belly fat is without a doubt the number one trouble |
| chance that you will to. However, this does not mean | | | | spot for men and women alike. More women moan |
| that you are predisposed to belly fat and can not do | | | | about having a wobbly tummy and more men try to |
| anything about it. Once you understand your body | | | | get a perfect six pack; concentrating efforts on this |
| shape and how it works to store fat you can change | | | | region more than any other body part. |
| how your body responds. | | | | Trying to shift stubborn belly fat is very important |
| 3) Lifestyle: | | | | for health reasons, as there is a number of health |
| Unfortunately the world we live in today creates a | | | | risks associated with stomach fat. These include |
| myriad of stressful situations for people each and | | | | heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and sleep |
| every day. From work related problems, deadlines, | | | | apnea. |
| relationship problems or the lack of one, fitting in the | | | | In order to effectively get rid of fat around your |
| house work, dealing with family quarrels, low calorie | | | | middle rethinking your diet and exercise is a step in |
| diets, intense training, lack of quality sleep or just | | | | the right direction. Eating a well balanced diet full of |
| being caught in a traffic jam ....the list goes on! | | | | protein, complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables |
| Stress can trigger the release a hormone called | | | | will reduce the levels of fat in and around the |
| cortisol (the stress hormone), this causes your liver | | | | abdomen. |
| to produce excess sugar that you body does not | | | | Adding in a little bit of exercise will speed this process |
| need and as a result it is stored as fat. | | | | up dramatically as it will increase metabolism and help |
| There is also some scientific evidence that leading a | | | | you to burn fat and get toned. Nothing extreme, but |
| more stressful life can have a direct impact on where | | | | even adding in a little walking, swimming or cycling |
| fat storage occurs in your body. There is a link | | | | into your regular daily/weekly routine will go a long |
| between high cortisol levels and storage of body fat, | | | | way to reducing the stubborn belly fat. |
| particularly visceral abdominal body fat. It is important | | | | |