Reasons you're not losing that belly fat

Excess belly fat is a common concern, but the repercussions go well beyond how comfortable you may or may not feel in a certain pair of jeans. In fact, carrying this extra weight around your waist can be a precursor to a vast array of health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and various types of cancers. And while you may be doing your best to shed those pesky midriff pounds, there are seven key factors that are undermining your efforts to win the "no belly" prize.


You're eating the wrong kinds of food

Diet is an important component of battling belly fat, and you may not realize that certain foods have a tendency to manifest themselves as fat around your midsection. One culprit is foods that are high in sodium, such as canned goods, salted snacks, and meats that have been smoked, cured, or processed. Another belly fattener is foods that are high in refined carbohydrates, including white bread, sugar, cakes, and cookies. Further, if you're loading up on foods that are high in saturated fats, such as cheese, cream, and fatty cuts of red meat, you're actually loading up your body with belly fat. Fortunately, there are quick and easy diet do-overs that can help you eliminate your belly fat blues, and that means making some simple adjustments to your eating routine. For example, swapping butter for olive oil, switching steak for salmon, and kissing your salt shaker goodbye are small changes that can make a big impact. If you give your meals a makeover, your body will soon follow suit.



You're doing the wrong exercises

You already know the important role that exercise plays when it comes to your weight and your health, and it's not surprising that it also plays a key part in combating a growing waistline. But many dedicated and devoted gym-goers are actually engaging in the wrong kinds of exercises when it comes to losing that stubborn belly fat. Cardio exercises, such as walking, running, and cycling are terrific workouts, but in order to truly combat belly fat, it's important to combine your cardio efforts with resistance training. The reason is due to the fact that increasing your muscle mass will help you burn more calories. So while you may be an elliptical enthusiast or a spinning superstar, make sure you also incorporate some strength training into your exercise program, such as squats, push-ups, weightlifting, and the use of resistance bands.

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