These steps will help you achieve your goal to a healthier lifestyle.
While being fat is not a problem in itself, excessive fat can be unhealthy. You need some fat; after all, it protects and insulates your body. Belly fat is a common issue that seems to bother many people because they don't have washboard abs like celebrities. Again, it's only natural for your belly to be a bit jiggly, but Healthline says having too much belly fat may harm your health and increase your risk of developing certain chronic diseases.
It helps to keep your overall body fat, including your belly fat, in check, at a healthy level. But, compared to the rest of your body, in most cases, only a small amount of fat is stored in your abdominal area.
There are two basic types of fat found under your belly. One that is found under your skin and the other, found deeper inside your abdomen, surrounding your internal organs.
1. Subcutaneous belly fat is the soft and jiggly fat that you find under your skin. Generally, women tend to have more subcutaneous fat than men. Though there are risks to it, it is not as dangerous.
2. Visceral belly fat is the fat that surrounds the organs, and it contains more cells, blood vessels, and nerves than subcutaneous fat, making it much more metabolically active. According to Medical News Today, health complications from visceral belly fat are more complex and dangerous than subcutaneous fat.
Being overweight can cause multiple health complications, including heart complications, and cancer.
1. Poor Diet: Not everyone makes sure to eat healthily; some can't afford it. One must ensure their plate is filled with carbs as well as veggies for maximum nutrition.
2. Excessive alcohol intake: Alcohol consumption can cause a myriad of problems, including liver disease and inflammation. Also, alcohol causes weight gain, especially around their belly.
3. Stress: Stress is never good for you, and the body produces a steroid hormone - cortisol - that helps the body control and deal with it. This, in turn, affects a person's metabolism. This also causes unhealthy sleep cycles - ultimately leading to more fat around the belly.
4. Genetics: Evidence suggests that a person’s genes are responsible for deciding whether they become obese. Scientists believe genes can influence behavior, metabolism, and the risk of developing obesity-related diseases.
1. Improve diet: We know this is a tough ask, but it is an effective one. Once you start to eat healthily, you will see your body improve from within and out.
2. Include exercise: Moving your body, even if it is for at least 15-30 minutes a day, can make you feel so much better, especially more when you notice your weight dropping. It also releases endorphins that make you feel happier.
3. Reduce alcohol: If alcohol is the reason for your pesky pounds, you need to get rid of some of it. The benefits from avoiding alcohol are immense, which should be motivation enough to put a full stop to it.
4. Get more sunlight: Most of our lifestyles cause us to spend a lot of time indoors, cooped up. The benefits of fresh air and sunlight are highly underrated, and research has even shown that it could aid in weight loss in a healthy manner.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/types-of-belly-fat
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323309#summary
Cover Image Source (Representative) : Getty Images | bymuratdeniz
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
