Who doesn’t know how stubborn that stomach fat can sometimes be? You might be keeping track of your diet and calorie intake. You might be attending the gym on a regular basis yet you cannot see the 6-pack.
However, we do hope our article will be of help to you.
How Stomach Fat Is Lost
You cannot expect fat to melt in certain areas of your body. When you lose weight, you lose it all over your body, from head to foot. But we should admit that visceral stomach is a bit different. It is metabolically active which means it can break quicker than subcutaneous fat (the fat that lies under the skin). The first fat that melts when a person starts a weight-loss program is visceral fat.
Reduce the amount of calories you consume and start moving more – this is all you need to see the first results. A pound of fat is worth 3,500 calories. Burn them and at the end of the week you’ll be 1 pound slimmer. Do not strive to lose over 2 pounds of weight per week. This is unhealthy. If you try to starve you will lose lean muscle and water rather than fat. Besides, the longer you stay on a strict diet, the greater the risk to form gall stones. Low-calorie diets are also low in nutrients. Your skin, hair and nails will suffer. Instead of looking slimmer you will only look exhausted. Be wise and do not try extreme dieting.
Dietary Changes to Reduce Calories
Eating less than 1,200 calories per day leads to a metabolic stall. This is when your body starts burning muscle mass. Instead of reducing calories, watch what you eat and say no to sodas, crisps, starchy foods and sugar. Avoid refined grains and fast food. Learn to plan your meals ahead and make your menu rich in lean proteins, fresh vegetables and whole grains. Make yogurt and fruit your snacks. Opt for low-fat cheese for breakfast and seeds or nuts instead of candy bars. Portion size does matter. Have around 4 ounces of protein, 2 cups of vegetables and one and a half cup of whole grains each meal. Your menu should not include white bread, white pasta and sweet beverages. Full-fat milk products as well as fatty meats should be avoided – all these foods contain too much saturated fat. Prepare your own meals at home and eat out as seldom as possible.
