8 Reasons You Can’t Lose Your Belly Fat
Featured,  Health

8 Reasons You Can’t Lose Your Belly Fat

Over the last couple years, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend. My belly was getting bigger and it kind of snuck up on me. Over the last few months, extra work has been put in to reduce the belly. With my 42nd birthday around the corner, my health has taken front and center. Below are a few reasons my belly fat might have increased.

Eating the Wrong Foods

I’ll admit, for a while my choice of foods was atrocious. Too many starchy carbohydrates and bad fats are a recipe for that midsection to expand. Instead, get plenty of veggies, choose lean proteins, and stay away from fats from red meats. Choose healthier fats in things like fish, nuts, and avocados. You can explore and understand more in this informative blog about the benefits of healthy fats.

Smoking

We all know that smoking is really bad for you. Unfortunately, I’ve always had a love for smoking cigars. One study showed that it leads to more abdominal and visceral fat. So, if you needed one more reason to quit, you have one.

Stress

Stress can do so much harm to your body and a lot of it has been documented. There was a time where stress was a part of my life. When my dad passed away, stress hit me for about two or three years. When the stress hormone cortisol goes through your body, fat takes residence in your belly. Talk to your doctor about how to handle your stress. Exercise can help ease it. Meditate. Do yoga. Put together a good support system. Talk to a mental health professional if you need it. Just remember, dads have to address their mental health also.

Not Enough Exercise

After getting my gym membership, that was my place to be about three days a week. After a while, my money was being wasted because the gym became an afterthought. If your gut is stretching the tape measure too much — for men, that’s more than 40 inches around the waist, and women, more than 35 — you need moderate physical activity (like walking) for at least 150 minutes a week, or vigorous (running) for 75, and strength training at least twice a week. With my new schedule starting in October, the gym will be my spot at least three days a week.

Too Much Beer

I’ll admit that for a while I was downing beer like a champ. t’s not just beer and the carbs in beer that make that beer belly pop. All alcohol has calories. If you take in too many calories — especially if you’re not exercising and eating well — you’re going to pack on the pounds. If you drink, remember to do it in moderation. Now when I’m drinking, you may see me drinking a couple of Michelob Ultras and that’s it.

Sports and Energy Drinks

Energy drinks have become the norm in our society nowadays. For me, that’s something I’ve never gotten into and only tried them once. When it comes to sports drinks, those were always in my fridge. Sports drinks can have a lot of sugar. If you drink too many of these, you’re setting yourself up for weight gain that might end up around your beltline. Cut back on sugary, high-calorie drinks. That means energy drinks and non-diet sodas, too.

Not Drinking Enough Water

For some reason, water is something that wasn’t being drunk enough. Nowadays, that’s all I drink at work and it has helped my stomach a lot. Studies show that drinking more water can help you lose weight. Choosing H2O instead of sweetened drinks means fewer calories. That can help you trim that belly fat. It’s also the only beverage that can hydrate without adding sugars or other compounds.

Not Enough Sleep

Being on night shift for so damn long contributed to my belly fat. Not only my diet suffered but was sometimes an afterthought. Some people don’t realize how important sleep is to their overall health. If you’re not sleeping, you’re jump-starting stress hormones. Those encourage your body to keep fat. When you go to bed, hide the phone from yourself, turn off notifications and avoid alcohol.

Are you experiencing extra belly fat? Were you able to get rid of the extra belly fat? What do you think about the reasons for belly fat mentioned? Leave some feedback below about anything related to getting rid of belly fat.

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