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Reducing your Pot Belly

Fat reduction and your Potbelly
Belly Fat in Men or ‘central obesity’ is bad for your health.
ZeroFat recommends losing belly fat to reduce the risks of developing more serious health issues such as diabetes or cardo
Santa Claus, (and many other male folklore heroes, past and present) was famous for his jovial personality – and his generous midsection. While Santa enjoyed the miracle of immortality, most of us have to make life-changing sacrifices, if we want to enjoy a long healthy lifetime, or even have a crack at Santa’s favourite trick of climbing down a chimney.
The girth of a Man’s fat belly can be an indicator of his health 
It turns out that Santa’s is at risk with potentially a few health issues –
* Cholesterol
* Diabetes
* Cardiovascular disease
* Sleep problems
Why does a Belly grow larger as we get older?
We naturally lose muscle tone when we age. Without a health-conscious diet, and regular exercise, muscle is converted into fat. Once belly fat accumulates, it can further slow down the body’s metabolism which leads to more weight gain. It’s a vicious cycle.
How do I know if my Belly Fat is creating a risk factor?
Not all belly fat is dangerous. We are constantly bombarded by images of men and women with society’s idea of a picture-perfect body. It usually includes fat-free bellies with defined abdominal muscles. That body is nearly impossible for most mere mortals to obtain. The human body comes in a multitude of shapes and sizes. While diet and lifestyle are partially responsible for the way you carry extra weight, genes are usually the culprit if you’ve always had trouble maintaining your weight. If you’re relatively active and health-conscious, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. Moderate amounts of body fat don’t pose a health risk. However, waist size is a good indicator of whether or not your bellies girth is too ample for your health. Use a measuring tape to measure your waist – which is in the space just above your hip bones. Pull it firm enough to be snug but don’t let it dent your skin. If your waist measures 40″ or more, you should talk to your doctor about starting a weight loss program.
Foods or Beverages That Contribute to Belly Fat?
Believe it or not, science is discovering that not all body fat is considered equal. In fact, belly fat is most often attributed to excessive intakes of simple carbohydrates.
In our blog post “Abdominal fat – how to reduce it”, we stress the importance of reducing simple carbohydrates.
These are found in food and drinks containing a lot of sugar, Also as a rule of thumb white foods not made from whole grains are also a simple carbohydrate. – white “fluffy” bread, potatoes, and pasta.
Along with sugary beverages, alcohol can contribute to belly fat. The term “beer belly” is well known but cocktails, beer, and any alcoholic beverages with high sugar content are liable to show in your midsection if you are imbibing more than your fair share.
Reducing fat from your Belly?
Lower your calorie intake and increase your caloric burn. View your body like the petrol tank in your car and try to run it with the gauge nearing empty…rather than your current practice of treating your body as if it is a fuel tank constantly running on full. If you carry the majority of your weight around your midsection, you will most likely have an easier time getting rid of the weight if you eat a little less and move a little more.
Some simple tips for reducing calories:
• Reduce your portion sizes
• Share your main meal, with your partner
• Change to whole-grain bread, pasta, and tortillas
• Eat half a meal in the evening and eat the leftovers for a meal tomorrow
. Sit-ups are great for toning your abs but they do not help you lose belly fat.
Walk, run, swim, cycle, or do anything that elevates your heart rate.
Opt for 30 minutes of exercise per day, at least 5-6 days per week and elevate your heart rate for at least 15-20 of those minutes.
Losing unwanted belly fat is not impossible. Set small goals to start with so you’ll be more inspired to reach the next one. And don’t worry, just like the big man… you can still have some milk and biscuits or cakes every once in a while. Want to know more…
For more information about reducing fat and potbelly reduction or to schedule a ZeroFat targeted fat reduction consultation email us or call 03 9824 6134.