Most Americans today can pinch more than an inch when it comes to the most toxic of fats found primarily around the middle part of your body. Numerous studies have shown that fat in your mid section, more than any other predisposes you to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Many of us don’t want to be confronted with the truth, but the cause of your waistline bulge really starts with diet; in fact some experts say that belly fat is 80 percent diet. Eating a diet heavily packed with sugary foods, processed white-flour like carbohydrates, or one consisting of too much starch, causes blood sugar levels to rise, and insulin to chase after it. This results in what is called “insulin-resistance” which creates somewhat of a “fat-storage zone” in your body.
If you are ready to reduce your risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and look better in your clothes, consider these quick belly fat loss tips:
1. Cut unnatural sugars from your diet. There is no need to eat sugar; it has no nutritional value. Eat natural sugars like fruits at least twice daily or more.
2. Start eating carbohydrates that are high in fiber and cut the ones out that are low in fiber (like white breads, chips, crackers, etc.). High fiber carbohydrates include oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and brown rice. Overall, eat smaller portions of the “starches”.
3. Eat less food. We are all eating too much food. Some of us could cut our intake in half and be a whole lot healthier. Try it!
4. Stop the sugary drinks. The sugar in one Mocha is more than you should have in a few days combined. The combination of fat and sugar is deadly to the waistline. Stop drinking your calories; they are empty calories and will make you feel terrible over time.
5. Add five days of cardio per week. Exercise until you are slightly out of breath and work to a sweat, this will lower your insulin levels and reduce body fat.
6. Have your hormone levels checked including insulin, thyroid, stress hormone-cortisol, and female and male estrogen-progesterone-testosterone. Then get on a plan to make sure they are in the optimal range; this will help create a better fat-burning environment for you.
7. Find ways to handle your stress and start sleeping better. Supplements that keep cortisol low at night and optimal during the day will help you move from a catabolic (muscle burning state) into a more thermogenic state (fat-burning state).
Now is the time to make changes in your health and your waistline. You can do it!
Nisha Jackson PhD, MS, WHCNP, HHP
www.justasknish.com
Nisha Jackson is one of the nation's leading bio-identical hormone & wellness experts. She is the host of the nationally syndicated radio program "Just Ask Nish", columnist, lecturer, and continues to be in high demand in her Southern Oregon-based specialty practices. With no hidden agendas Nish, as she is know by her radio audience, is relentless to uncover health solutions that work. If it's effective and good for you, it's good medicine.