If you’re like many people, then you probably think you have belly fat to lose. Even if you are not overweight, it is very likely that you have a little extra fat accumulated around your abdominal area. And central obesity or “belly fat” is one of the factors present in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The amount of effort you’ll need to lose belly fat will depend on how much you have in the first place. Sounds pretty simple! The problem, however, is that many of us tend to underestimate how much fat we have around our waists. Unless you’re experienced in weight loss or know how your body stores fat, it’s normal to think you only have “a few” pounds to lose. In short, you should not trust your estimates. Trust your progress because as the fat melts away, you will start to see what your physique looks like without an extra layer of adipose tissue.
Let’s move on to how to lose belly fat. Be careful not to buy into the misconception that belly fat can be shed with more basic exercises in the gym. As helpful as abdominal exercises can be, they are not the way to lose belly fat. Why? Because fat loss can only happen through weight loss. If you’ve lost weight before, then you know that you can’t choose which areas of your body lose weight first. How your body distributes fat depends on genetic factors and your gender, and only the influence of the latter can be reasonably predicted…
- Males store most of their fat around the waist.
- Women are more likely to store fat around the entire body, with an emphasis on the hips.
No matter how much your body differs or deviates from the norm, it’s guaranteed that you don’t like belly fat. From a health standpoint, it’s not beneficial to keep, so you should have even more of an incentive to get rid of it.
If abdominal exercises are not the answer, what is the solution? A “proper” weight loss plan is the best way to lose fat. Losing fat should be your number one goal. Losing belly fat follows weight loss. All that is needed, apart from correct execution, is patience.
If you didn’t already know, eating the “right” amount of calories is the essential recipe for weight loss. Whether you’re counting calories or not, you should consume fewer calories than your body expends. A quality diet and a physically active lifestyle can ensure that your body is in a fat-burning state.
In your case, fat loss around your abdominal area may happen relatively quickly, or it may be the last area where you see progress. If you have fat to lose, you will only improve your health and strengthen your well-being if you commit to losing weight. Not to mention getting a slimmer physique will be a bonus.
