Why Its Hard To Lose Belly Fat

Yet it seems like the last area that wants to shed its precious inches of flab. There are many reasons we develop that spare tire around our mid-sections. For some, a slowed metabolism during one’s middle age or menopausal years may be to blame. For others, pregnancy caused sudden weight gain that never quite left after the baby was born. Our vices may also be to blame, whether we’re hooked on fast food or developed successful drinking careers shortly after our 21st birthdays. Even though it seems like an insurmountable task to lose belly fat, Mayo Clinic endocrinology specialist Michael Jensen MD tells WebMD that, contrary to popular belief, 99 percent of the people who lose weight will actually lose belly fat first and foremost.

Researchers say that visceral fat deep inside the body is more metabolically active — and therefore easier to lose — than fat just under the skin. Furthermore, the more fat you have to lose, the faster you will lose belly fat. Men are especially prone to gaining belly fat because testosterone triggers fat receptors in the abdominal area to either burn fat or store fat. On the other hand, women have hormones redirecting fat storage to the hips and thigh area, but hormonal changes later in life often send fat to the abdomen. It’s difficult to lose belly fat, experts say, because our bodies hate to part with something they’ve stubbornly held onto for so long. In essence, it’s part of a primitive survival mechanism.

Just because we’re hard-wired to store fat doesn’t mean we can’t lose belly fat. Many people also have a doubt and a question in their mind that do fat-burning pills work. The answer is yes, it works best and gives fast action and change to the body. But this is possible only if you have been taking them along with the strict diets. Without the diet, you can not get the result be it from the pills or from doing the exercises.

The million dollar question is: How? Certified Nutrition Specialist and Personal Trainer Mike Geary says he can tell you how you won’t lose belly fat. You won’t lose it by gorging on junk food disguised as “diet foods.” You won’t lose belly fat by doing crunches, sit-ups or working on ab machines, nor by doing repetitive cardio routines. You won’t do it by wasting your money on pills or supplements. And you won’t lose belly fat by purchasing infomercial devices like ab belts or ab loungers. Instead, he has put out a comprehensive program to help people lose belly fat in a healthier way.

While there are many free articles, newsletters and videos on his site, the quickest way to lose belly fat is to purchase Geary’s “Truth About Six-Pack Abs” e-book for $39.95, which comes with a free DVD titled “The 5 Keys to Guaranteed Fat Loss,” exclusive membership to his support site where you can chat with Kim Lyons of The Biggest Loser and four motivational Fast-Fitness audios. You will have eight weeks to decide whether you like the system or not. If not, you can send it back for a full refund. Many people like the Mike Geary way to lose belly fat because, like Atkins, you can eat things like avocados, bison meat, whole eggs and nuts, in addition to the standard healthy fruits and vegetables. Experts agree that adding monounsaturated fats — like those found in oils, chocolate, nuts, olives, avocados and seeds — have proven health benefits like reducing the risk of heart disease and assisting in overall weight loss when eaten in controlled portions. To lose belly fat, Geary advocates getting most carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables, but when possible, eating whole grains. Science shows that eating a whole grain rich diet and reducing refined carbohydrates can change the insulin and glucose response, making it easier to lose belly fat by metabolizing visceral fat stores.

Diet is most important, but many people wonder if exercise can help them lose belly fat

It’s true that hundreds of crunches will do precious little. Chances are, your stomach muscles are quite strong. The problem is, they can’t be seen until you lose belly fat. Even so, experts recommend 60 minutes of moderate activity (like brisk walking) each day. In The Truth About Six-Pack Abs lose belly fat program, trainer Mike Geary recommends exercises like renegade dumb-bell rows, front squats with a barbell and several reps of “mountain climbers” to lose belly fat better than with crunches or typical exercises.