Ogunrinde Abdulrahman

11 reasons why you are not losing belly fat Are you at a loss why you still have a bulging stomach despite the many workouts and diet regimen that you practice? Losing weight is not only about hitting the gym every day or restricting yourself to a special diet. A lot of other factors influence the weight loss process, and the earlier you start considering these factors, the better your chances of achieving a flat belly. Here are some of the reasons why you are not losing that belly fat. Age is telling on you As we age, our bodies change, and this can affect our ability to shed weight. Aging causes a reduction in the metabolic rates of men and women, and the body uses fewer calories to function. Women of menopausal age experience reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone, which causes their bodies to store fat especially stomach fat. In men, testosterone levels begin to drop and can contribute to weight gain. Eating a diet rich in highly processed Foods Eating a lot of highly processed foods such as refined sugar in soda drinks, and refined grains such as chips and white bread promotes inflammation of the body. Inflammation has links with abdominal fats, and this is why the consumption of high amounts of processed foods can contribute to increased belly fat. Instead, you should eat more of natural foods such as whole grains and fruits which contain antioxidants that help fight inflammation thereby removing excess abdominal fat. Excessive Stress When you continuously engage in stress-inducing situations, your body releases a stress hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol increases the amount of fats around body cells and is linked to high levels of belly fat. Your training is wrong Engaging in the wrong type of exercise won’t help your dream of having a flat tummy. Practice the right combination of workouts such as strength training which improves lean mass and lights up calories. Fitness specialists recommend 125 minutes of high-intensity workouts or 250 minutes of moderate-intensity exercises every week for best results. You are loading up the wrong fats Our bodies respond to different types of fats in different ways. If you are consuming more of saturated fats such as the one in meat and dairy products, you stand a risk of increased belly fat. But if you take more monounsaturated fats such as in avocado and olive oil or omega-3 oils like those in salmon and nuts, their anti-inflammatory properties help the body. Moderation is however important when consuming fats as too much of it can lead to excess body weight. Apple Shaped Body People with apple-shaped bodies tend to retain fat in the middle section of their bodies, and this can make getting rid of belly fat difficult because their bodies are naturally tuned to storing fat in that part. Insufficient Training Intensity A low-intensity workout is not effective in burning fat. According to available research, high-intensity training helps people lose more fat compared to low intensity workouts. To burn that belly fat faster, engage more in full-bodied high-intensity exercises that require using all your power till you can’t go any further. Sleep deprivation The importance of sleep for healthy living cannot be overemphasized. In a study that involved 70,000 women spanning over 16 years, women who slept for seven hours or more weighed less than those who slept less than six hours. In fact, the population that slept for less than six hours had up to 33 pounds extra weight than those who slept for seven hours or more. Do you need to burn that belly fat quickly? Then befriend your bed. Diseases Poor health might also be responsible for your inability to lose that extra pound on your belly. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome may spike your testosterone levels, and this can lead to excess abdominal fat. Also, having an apple shape and excess weight may be signs of being diabetic, so it’s better to see your doctor. You lack motivation It’s easier to gain weight, but it can be tough to lose them. If you lack the required self-discipline and motivation to carry through with your workout sessions and can’t stop eating unhealthy foods packed with calories, you might never be able to achieve a flat belly. Unbalanced microbiome Microbiome refers to the microorganisms living in your gut. These bacteria help in the digestive process, and their population is influenced by your food. Some of these bacteria help to break down fat while some help to retain fat. If you are eating more of low fibre, fat, and refined carbohydrates, you will increase the population of fat retaining bacteria and your weight increases.