Belly Fat, the Bane of Bikini Season
How to Permanently Lose Belly Fat with Good Habits
Aug 19, 2009
They promised themselves that this would be the year of redemption; they would be the one to proudly stroll the beach in a little string bikini, showing off a lithe and whittled waistline. But no, these dreamers are still hiding behind their towel and umbrella toward the back of the beach, too ashamed to waddle toward the shoreline to enjoy the refreshing water. Will it happen for them next year? That dream is easily accomplished with just a small amount of planning and dedication.
Why We Gain Belly Fat
First it is important to understand why the human body stores fat around the middle. The body was made to use the protein we eat to build muscle, the fat in our food is meant to give us long term energy and the carbohydrates are intended for a quick energy burst. These three nutrients all add fat to our adipose tissue if they are not burned off within a short period of time after ingesting them. The adipose tissue is not a villain, however. It is necessary for warmth, energy storage and the protection of the vital organs. It is only when too many calories are brought into the body that this tissue becomes an issue. In essence, if too many calories are eaten, the excess is stored on the body for future use.
Secondly, the dieter must understand what types of food love to attach themselves to the waistline. The answer to that is: All of them. In order to be bikini ready next season, the dieter must change from a spot-reducing, food-manipulating mind set to one of a gradual change in habits that are improved day by day.
How to Lose Belly Fat
For years, health gurus touted the spot reduction method, and no matter what new scientific evidence comes around, people revert to what they first heard. In reality, fat tissue is best described like an onion. When calories are burned, they are removed equally from every area of the body. The only way to remove it from one area is surgically through liposuction. But like with any quick fix, if new habits are not learned, the bad habits win out and it is back to the liposuction table for removal of the same fat.
The only permanent way to lose belly fat is to eat fewer calories than are burned, aerobically exercise to burn the calories that are already stored, and do some muscle-building exercises to keep the calories burning while the body is at rest. By doing these things, the shy beachgoer mentioned above could be bikini ready by next season. It is not unreasonable to assume a ten pound weight loss every month just by following the simple steps outlined above. Hopefully this information will encourage her to jump up from under that umbrella, throw down that towel and proudly begin a new way of life by taking a power walk down the sandy beach.
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