[View the story "Belly Fat: Aka the Enemy, 8 Tips & Tricks to Get Rid of it For Good!" on Storify ]Belly Fat: Aka the Enemy, 8 Tips & Tricks to Get Rid of it For Good! For many women no matter what they do they just can't get rid of that stubborn layer of fat around their midsection. So we reached out to Dr. Pamela Peeke and other #HERchat participants to find out the best ways to beat it once and for all. Storified by #HERchat · Mon, Apr 20 2015 18:33:22
Tip 1: Know your body, know what it looks like when you are healthy, and what it looks like when you are unhealthy. Be aware that as your body gets older and goes through changes (pregnancy, menopause ect.) it will start to look different and that's okay.
A1 Measuring ones waist to hip ration can help determine if there is excess belly fat. #HERchatNutrition That Fits
@EmpowHER a1 hormonal shifts menopause/PMS throw digestion off course >>belly bloat & belly weight gain http://t.co/ni93vZBaS8 #HERchatAshley Koff RD
A1. #Menopause can be a time when women put on excess belly fat. Here are 10 tips: http://t.co/2kRSuaA9cg #HERchatEmpowHER
@EmpowHER don't skip the carbs to lose belly fat due to #Menopause improve the quality & quantity u consume at one time #HERchatAshley Koff RD
Tip 2: Be aware of the dangers of "fad diets" many of these constrict your eating too much, leading to your body to start storing fat instead of expelling it. Also be wary of any diets that don't list exercise as a positive partner to healthy eating!
@EmpowHER A2 I feel like any diet that doesn’t incorporate exercise could contribute to belly fat, esp improper nutrition #HERchatLiz Furl
A2. I would think diets that constrain your diet too much and reduce calories too low, without focusing more on nutrition #HERchatErin Kennedy
Q2. Yikes! Some "fad diets" may actually be making fat worse: http://t.co/OcAEepS0oB #HERchatEmpowHER
@ashleykoff @EmpowHER Skip refined and processed carbs and prioritize veggies fruits and whole grains #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
Tip 3: Mental health very much plays a roll in physical health. Try incorporating yoga, meditation, or any other form of exercise to clear your mind and prevent stress eating!
A3. Emotions can sometimes cause us to not eat very nutritiously. I know when I'm stressed, I tend to not eat very healthy #HERchatErin Kennedy
@erinskennedy A3. Agreed. Or they keep you from eating enough. I get wrapped in mom duties and I forget. I choose sleep over food. #herchatBUB
A3 emotional eating is easier than exercising, especially when at work #herchatKristin A. Meekhof
@EmpowHER A3 emotional eating is definitely a problem — I know I go for desserts when stressed or sad #HERchatLiz Furl
@LizFurl @EmpowHER STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
@PamPeekeMD @LizFurl @EmpowHER Absolutely! Get your namaste on w/ some yoga & get control of emotions for better food control! #HERchatBikram Yoga Agoura
Fatigue = eating more RT @EmpowHER: Q3. How do our emotions play a role in excess belly fat? #HERchatSusan Vernicek
Tip 4: Sometimes it's easy to forget about what makes up the foods we are putting into our body, but it is important to stay conscious of the different vitamins and minerals we need to stay healthy and fit!
@LizFurl @EmpowHER Omega Fats through fish, chia seeds and flaxseed as well. Hydrate with water. So important #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
.@PamPeekeMD @LizFurl @EmpowHER are omega fat supplements ok to take, or is it best as real foods? #HERchatErin Kennedy
@mybubbox A study from the University of Georgia found that fish oils prevent pre-fat cells from being converted into fat. #herchatEmpowHER
@mybubbox @EmpowHER HUGE. I just tweeted that. Wild salmon is best. #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
A4. Try beta carotene and lycopene! Both are pigments found in plants & colorful vegetables, and both are high in antioxidants. #herchatEmpowHER
Tip 5: It might seem obvious, but eating and drinking foods with excess sugar play a huge role in creating belly fat! Try switching from soda to fruit infused water, or eating greek yogurt with fruit to curb cravings for sweets!
@EmpowHER A5 sodas + candy bars + any other junk food = belly fat, plain and simple #HERchatLiz Furl
Would you believe the average American consumes 44 gallons of the soda per year? #health #herchatEmpowHER
@LizFurl @EmpowHER It's integrated into most biochemical reactions in the body. Essential. Ditch the sodas. Slice fruit in H2O. #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
@PamPeekeMD @LizFurl @EmpowHER Up the fiber intake, add yogurt, probiotics too! #HERchat #guthealth http://t.co/ktXMi7qm7W via @verilymagBikram Yoga Agoura
DITTO :) @LizFurl @EmpowHER I'm a Greek yogurt fan w its protein and I add walnuts and blueberries. Kills cravings #herchatSusan Vernicek
A5. Stick to the healthier foods! Here are 3 Flat Belly Foods: http://t.co/hzqcNno6Zw #HERchat #HealthtipsEmpowHER
Tip 6: Protein is necessary for a healthy diet, but some types of protein are better in smaller proportions!
A6. I've heard good and bad things about peanut butter. Is it a healthy protein? #HERchatErin Kennedy
@EmpowHER A6 I think that eating nut protein can be fattening to you, but stuff like salmon isn’t #HERchatLiz Furl
@LizFurl @EmpowHER Nuts are very healthy. Portion control plz. Lean meats, fish, low fat dairy, poultry, beans all good sources. #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
@mybubbox @EmpowHER You don't need much. Got sat fat which is prob if your chol is high. Fine if u watch serving size. #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
Looove eggs. RT @EmpowHER Did you know eggs are one of the least expensive forms of protein? #herchatShana O'Connor
Tip 7: There is a reason the term 'beer gut' was invented. Alcohol leads directly to belly fat!
@EmpowHER @PamPeekeMD A7: It gives you a false sense of hunger, the "bottomless pit" sensation. #herchatBUB
@EmpowHER A7 lots of alcohol = belly fat. The term “beer belly” exists for a reason #HERchatLiz Furl
@LizFurl @EmpowHER Funny how it's not Beer Ankle. LOL Science says 2 much alcohol packs pounds inside the belly=Gut #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
Tip 8: Don't forget to incorporate fitness along with your healthy eating!
@EmpowHER A8 planks and bicycles for the ab muscles, jogging or HIIT for the fat over the abs #HERchatLiz Furl
A8: For blasting fat: More plant based diet. Decrease cortisol (stress hormones=belly fat) by getting exercise and good rest. #HERchatNutrition That Fits
@EmpowHER Use HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING or HIIT. In only 15-20 mins you'll burn cals more effectively. #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
@EmpowHER A8) U know we sweat the fat in #Bikram but JUST read about hip circling this AM: http://t.co/AEKibd3cFK @FFusionFitness #HERchatBikram Yoga Agoura
@LizFurl @EmpowHER Great ideas. HIIT is my recd as u can do it in so many ways---run, walk, bike, row, swim... #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
A8 personally, I love to run #herchatKristin A. Meekhof
@KristinMeekhof Add HIIT to your running and you'll get more out of it in every way. #herchatDr. Pamela Peeke
Remember, belly fat can be dangerous. Are you taking the right steps to ensure your belly fat isn't getting out of control?