How to Fight Belly Fat in Women
Belly Fat in Women
Belly fat in women is a common complaint, especially as they age. Many women find that although they were slim in their teens, twenties and even thirties, they begin to notice more fat accumulating around the abdominal area. One reason for this is the decline in HGH, or human growth hormone. Another is the inevitable aging process, and some of the problem could be hormonal in nature. Another cause could be genetics. The good news is that you don’t have to live with excess belly fat. You can regain a trim figure, or get into the best shape of your life — regardless of your age.
According to the Mayo Clinic, excessive fat around the midsection (even in females of an average weight) can lead to problems like heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, high blood pressure and other dangerous diseases. While this is scary stuff, you can lower your risk by taking simple steps. Exercise is important for women of any age, and any weight. Aim for three to five sessions of cardiovascular activity each week. This could be swimming, jogging, stair climbing, dancing — there are all kinds of cardio. Start with 20 minutes at a time, and when your endurance is higher add minutes until you’ve reached 50 minutes. Before you begin any kind of exercise program, consult your doctor for approval.
Another important step is eating right. You should be drinking plenty of water every day, ideally eight 8-oz glasses. Herbal teas, especially green tea, is excellent. Green tea may even speed the metabolism and is packed with beneficial antioxidants. Speaking of antioxidants, get your fill of colorful fruits and vegetables every day. Lean protein should also be an important part of your diet, which can be found in lean chicken, fish, nuts, seeds, and soy. Red meat should be consumed in moderation. Don’t shy away from dairy products, just make sure they are low in fat. And, when consuming grains make sure they are whole grains. This gives you necessary fiber and helps you feel fuller longer.
Belly fat in women is a problem that many females around the world must deal with. Don’t accept it as an inevitable part of getting older, or chalk it up to baby weight if you have had children. You can lose belly fat, it just takes good nutrition and consistent exercise. If you like workout DVDs, there are plenty of them geared towards women who want to lose belly fat that combine cardio with ab-targeting exercises.
