One of the most common questions I get is how to lose belly fat. Belly fat is actually the most dangerous type of fat – besides aesthetics, large waist lines are indicators of –disease-disease-disease.
It takes more than just crunches! We start to gain weight in our midsection when our cortisol levels spike.
Stress is one of the primary culprits for high levels of cortisol secretion. When this happens cortisol breaks downs lean muscle (the type of tissue that burns calories most efficiently) and also holds on to fat storage in the abdominal region.
That stress can even get WORSE with bad dieting; studies show that the stress caused by dieting can increase cortisol levels, making no change in belly fat even with calorie restriction. So how do you shape up? Incorporate these 6 things below and you will be on your way to a flatter belly in no time flat!
If you want to work late at night, think again. When your
biorhythms are off, you end up eating more. When you’re tired you produce more
ghrelin, which triggers cravings for sugar and other fat-building foods. Losing
sleep can also alter your hormone production, affecting your cortisol levels
that cause insulin sensitivity, prime reasons for belly fat! Getting about 7
hours of sleep a night is one of the best things you can do for your body
shaping goals. Many People Find Some Weight Loss Product Like This. Click Here
1000 crunches a night may get you strong abdominal muscles,
but with a full layer of fat on top, you will not get the results you really
want. Instead of all those crunches, do exercises that engage multiple muscle
groups and work your cardiovascular system. Try planking, where you hold
yourself in a push-up position, resting your forearms on the ground. Try 3 or 4
sets of holding for 30 seconds each. Getting up and moving throughout the day
by going for walks will also help.
3. Sugar is your Enemy
Stress is one of the primary culprits for high levels of cortisol secretion. When this happens cortisol breaks downs lean muscle (the type of tissue that burns calories most efficiently) and also holds on to fat storage in the abdominal region.
That stress can even get WORSE with bad dieting; studies show that the stress caused by dieting can increase cortisol levels, making no change in belly fat even with calorie restriction. So how do you shape up? Incorporate these 6 things below and you will be on your way to a flatter belly in no time flat!
1. Sleep

2. Short bursts of
exercises
3. Sugar is your Enemy
Fighting belly fat is 80% healthy diet. Reduce calories by
filling yourself up with protein, vegetables, whole grains, and replacing bad
habit snacks with good ones. For example, if you have a sugar craving, replace
your calorie laden latte with a Muscle Milk lite, one of my favorites, because
it has zero sugar and a ton of protein that will satiate while also torching my
sugar craving! Another great trick is a sprinkle of cinnamon in your morning
coffee or oatmeal- the spice has been shown to help stabilize blood sugar. It
also slows the rate at which food exits the stomach, which helps you feel
fuller longer.
4. Vitamin C
When you’re under extreme stress, you secret more cortisol
hormone. Vitamin C helps balance the cortisol spikes that happen to you under
this stress. Besides being a good way to counteract a cold, Vitamin C is also
essential for making carnitine, a compound used by the body to turn fat into
fuel, making this vitamin your fat burning friend.
If you’re going through an emotional crisis, stress from
work, or a bad eating splurge, increase your vitamin C – it’ll help counteract
the negative side effects. Try bell peppers, kale or kiwi fruits. These have
even more Vitamin C than the famous Orange!
5. Eat Fat
Yup, you heard me! It takes fat to burn fat. Like I said
above, it’s sugar that gets you fat, not fat. Good fats include foods rich in
Omega 3′s, like salmon, avocados & walnuts. These foods are full of nutrients
that help keep you satiated throughout the day.
6. Slowing down your
breath
This is a very simple method that you can use even when
you’re in the midst of doing something else. Whenever you notice you’re feeling
tense and uptight check and see how you’re breathing. Most people under stress
either alternate holding their breath with short breaths, or take rapid shallow
breaths. After you become aware of your own breathing, consciously relax your
belly and slow down the breathing. This works best if you focus on slowing down
the exhalation rather than your inhalation. With each exhalation you can say to
yourself “slow down”. That is all there is to it- Simple but surprisingly
effective!!!


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