Blasting Away Belly Fat

When a survey was done regarding which part of the body people wanted to change, most answered their belly. Belly fat is the biggest complaint of most people, even those who diet and exercise. So what causes all the fat to gravitate to that one area and what can you do to eliminate it? Barring genetics which could pre-determine what shape you have (are you a pear shape or apple shape), other factors play an enormous role in burgeoning bellies. First of all is your diet. What are you eating? If you enjoy processed foods like snack cakes, cookies, chips and crackers that have loads of trans fats, then this may be a major culprit. Always check the nutritional ingredients for everything you buy and look for snack that have no trans fats (if you must have them). Try the 100 calorie bags of snacks instead which keep the fat low as well as your portion size (another major factor). At meal time, eat whole grain foods, vegetables and fruits and lean protein. Also, avoid caffeine as much as possible and carbonated drinks (especially those with sugar). Drink plenty of water, get plenty of sleep (insomnia leads to snacking) and try to avoid stress. Stress causes the release of hormones which induce cravings for carbohydrates. Instead, take a yoga class or walk every day. Finally, you can do abdominal exercises on a daily basis, but always check with your doctor before you begin an exercise program and make sure you are doing your abdominal exercises correctly otherwise you will cause undue stress and strain which will lead to injury. Pilates is a great way to strengthen your core muscles (abs, obliques and back muscles). Do the best you can to get rid of as much as you can. It will not only make you look and feel better, but the less belly fat you have, the less likely you will have a heart attack or become diabetic later on in life.