Having belly fat is okay. Even those who have flat abs have some belly fat. However too much belly fat is neither appealing nor healthy. It doesn’t take a genius to know that, but you’ll want to bear in mind that there is something called deep belly fat or visceral fat. It is supposed to provide cushioning around your organs but being overweight means that you’ll have too much ‘cushion’. Organs such as liver, lungs and heart will, therefore, be in danger. Oh, and did we mention that getting rid of visceral fat tends to be quite difficult? Well, it does. But don’t panic, we are here to help you burn that awful fat in just seven easy steps.
Healthy bedtime routine
We’d like to start with an important factor of every weight loss journey and that is sleep. Getting plenty of sleep is a must. Staying up late will mess up your circadian rhythm. Messing up your circadian rhythm means that you’ll eat more the next day. Your body will crave food due to excessive production of ghrelin which is produced when you are tired so you might want to turn in before midnight to prevent that.
Protein
If you want to lose weight you’ll have to alter your diet. It may sound harsh but it’s true. Eating more protein will reduce cravings considerably. It will also boost your metabolism and you’ll burn more calories. Protein is especially efficient against belly fat. According to a study, people who eat more and better protein have less belly fat than those who don’t. Try to increase your intake of high-protein foods such as whole eggs, fish, seafood, nuts, meat and dairy products since they are the best protein sources.
Exercise
Another key factor to controlling belly fat is exercising. However, not every kind of exercise helps you get rid of visceral fat. Only vigorous exercise routines eliminate belly fat. It is recommended that you exercise at least five times a week for at least 30 minutes. Cardio exercises are the name of the game here because you’ll want to sweat a lot. Walking is okay as long as it’s not too easy or slow but running is more efficient. Combine an efficient exercise routine with quality weight loss supplements and you’ll see the results soon enough. Some strength exercises are fine too but you won’t sweat it out like you would with cardio exercises.
Stress
There isn’t a single person on this planet that likes stress. However, it is important that you know how to handle it. Hanging out with friends and family, or going out with your significant other will do the trick. You won’t be completely stress-free but you’ll feel better. Exercising also relieves stress, so playing basketball or meditating is perfectly fine. It is important to try and stay healthy from the outside as well as inside.
Importance of green tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants. Those antioxidants are called catechins and they’ll help you lose fat while exercising. In addition to that, green tea will keep you awake and improve your brain function. Caffeine is a stimulant found in green tea. When compared to coffee, green tea doesn’t contain as much caffeine and that is good. It has enough caffeine to trigger a response without making you feel the ‘jittery’ effects associated with too much caffeine. So, start drinking green tea.
Fiber
Eating food rich in fiber is another thing you should pay attention to. Dietary fiber is mostly indigestible plant matter and it is often associated with weight loss. Broccoli, peas, Brussels sprouts and black beans are rich in fiber. For example, sweet potato pairs perfectly with the smokiness of chipotle peppers and adds even more fiber to this hearty bean dish. Are you up for a healthy dessert? Mix some raspberries with oatmeal and vanilla. You can thank us later.
Keeping track of calories
We’ve said that eating right foods is of the utmost importance on your weight loss journey. However, many people actually don’t know what they should be eating. You might think that you are eating something healthy and rich in proteins but do not over- or underestimate. Keeping a track of what you eat for a while is essential. You don’t need to weigh and measure everything every single day, but do so every once in a while, and you’ll soon realize where you should make certain changes.
This may seem a bit complicated but it really isn’t. Paying attention to these things will become a habit. In order to lose that annoying belly fat, you’ll have to change your daily routine, but it will all be worth it in the end. You’ll be healthy and good-looking, you won’t crave fatty foods and you’ll sleep better.