Age, stress and other causes
Too much belly fat can lead to heart problems, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and some cancers. If you have too much belly fat, it is therefore very important to do something about it. But losing fat in that zone is difficult. Ten reasons why it’s so hard.
A flat stomach is not only more beautiful, but also healthier. Have you not been able to get rid of your belly fat with diet and exercise? There are many other factors that can play a role.
1. Age
As you get older, the body changes. The metabolism also changes – of men and women. As age progresses, you need fewer calories for the body to function normally. In addition, women also have to deal with the menopause. When women arrive at the menopause, it is often in the abdomen. All the changes in hormones make it more difficult – but not impossible – to lose weight.
2. Wrong Exercises
Do you regularly do crunches until you can’t get up anymore? Stop it! You can train your entire core much better, i.e. back, pelvis and abdominal muscles. By doing core exercises – such as planks – you use more muscles and burn more calories.
3. Processed Foods
If you want to get rid of your belly fat, you should avoid processed foods. So, for example, do not take cookies, candy, chips, fries and desserts. But take fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole grains.
4. Bad Fats
The human body cannot do without fats. But one fat is not the other fat. Eat as little saturated fats as possible. You do need unsaturated fats. All types of fish contain unsaturated fats. Fatty fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon and eel contain the most unsaturated fatty acids. Olive oil and avocados are also a source of unsaturated fat. Healthy fats can also lead to weight gain, so take them in moderation.
5. Stress
Do you suffer from stress and do you eat more as a result? It is logical that you do not lose weight and maybe even gain weight. That is not the only explanation, by the way. Stress makes your body produce more of the hormone cortisol. This hormone increases the amount of fat in the body and enlarges the fat cells.
6. Too little sleep
Several studies have shown that a lack of sleep or an irregular sleeping pattern increases the risk of being overweight. Poor sleep also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
7. Eating too little
In addition to sleeping too little, eating too little is also not good for your slim line. If you suddenly start eating too little, your body goes into ‘saving mode’. You will lose weight in the short term, but if you start eating normally again, you will immediately gain weight again. The well-known yo-yo effect. Much better to eat differently. As mentioned before: vegetables, fruit and whole grain products.
8. Not training intensely enough
Do you exercise, but it doesn’t help? Your workout may not be intense enough. In order to burn enough calories and fat, you must exercise intensively.
9. Apple figure
Nice slim legs, but a tummy? Then you probably have an apple figure. This is genetically determined and yes this is more difficult to combat, but it is not impossible.
10. Lack of motivation
You will not have a flat stomach in one week or in a few steps. And have you ever had a flat stomach? Then you will have to work continuously to maintain a flat stomach. In short: train weekly, pay close attention to the diet and ensure that the motivation remains. If you lack motivation, you will certainly never succeed.
