It can cause great distress, is a trigger for social anxiety and is one of the most stand-out features on some people, of course, we’re talking about belly fat.
No one wants it, but with the UK now one of the most obese nations in the world, the sight of belly fat is becoming a regular occurrence, in all ages, and all walks of life.
It doesn’t have to be this way though, that’s why we’ve decided to provide you with 5 ways to shift some weight from the stomach area, so why not come and take a look?
1. Cut out the fatty & sugary foods
Unsurprisingly, eating foods high in fat and sugar will have a knock-on effect with belly fat.
You don’t need to cut out everything, your body will need fat stores and sugar for energy, but it needs to be just a fraction of the other main food groups.
Oh and don’t think alcohol has escaped this blog...alcohol is effectively fermented sugar, and we can often consume the equivalent of our daily calorie intake in one night out.
Try and make alcohol feel like a treat, rather than a necessity, similar to how you’d think about cakes and chocolate etc.
2. Carbohydrates
Almost everything is carb-loaded, from bread to pasta and whilst it may be great for providing us with our daily energy, they come at a calorie cost.
Pasta, for example, many people presume pasta is a lightweight option, although rice is usually far better. Just 100 grams of pasta comes in at around 150 calories, and eating too much than we can burn off will result in that unwanted belly bulge.
3. Exercise regularly
No matter how good your diet is, if you have no exercise you are unlikely to reap any of the benefits. Just 30 minutes a day can be enough to keep the weight at bay, not only boosting your appearance but also your mental health.
It’s a sure-fire way to toning that stomach area, especially if you focus on exercises that work the stomach muscles, such as sit-ups, planks and press-ups.
4. Increase your protein intake
Those who consume a lot of protein, usually tend to have boosted metabolisms, as well as lower hunger levels and urges to snack.
By opting for foods rich in protein, such as lean meats (white meat is healthier), eggs and even seeds/nuts, you can provide your body with the healthy alternative, thus losing body fat in the process.
If you’re struggling to get your daily intake of protein through food, then look at investing in some diet protein supplements.Here at GHN, we have specially formulated products that are aimed at those looking to lose weight whilst looking good at the same time.
Our diet protein plus provides ample nutrition, without the excess calories. Our cla is a potent antioxidant and together with a sensible diet and moderate exercise, may help reduce body fat, help maintain weight-loss and retain lean muscle mass.
5. Keep a food diary
You may be doing all of the above but you just can’t seem to shift the weight. If so, try and download a fitness app or make a log of all the foods you eat, and the exercise you are partaking in.
You’ll quickly find the root of the problem, and by tweaking the diet and lifestyle slightly, the results should start to look far rosier.
It may be something as simple as cutting out a portion of pasta each week, consuming a few units of alcohol less or opting for a skinny latte at the coffee shop, instead of the sugar-filled sweet hot beverage that may as well be classed as a dessert.
To learn more about developing your diet we have another article on the best diet tips for achieving a lean body here.
