Sadly the focus of our society is on getting skinny and losing weight. We jump for joy when we see the latest diet hit the shelves. These diets; however, are very dangerous. The majority of these fad diets focus on a very small calorie intake. When we consume less calories or fuel than our body needs it goes into what is called starvation mode.
When our body goes into such a shock, it is almost worse than over eating.
It does not help that media is constantly filling our minds with visions of models and actors who have these sleek bodies subconsciously telling all of us that we need to be skinny to be sexy.
This is a problem to not only our emotional standings as human beings, but to our physique as well.
Hard to believe, I’m sure, but it is true. Our bodies know how much energy and fuel it needs in order to perform daily functions, including those internal functions that most of us know nothing about. When it starts to feel threatened by a serious cut in calories, it starts storing the few calories you eat as fat rather than as energy.
This fat is hoarded throughout the entire body, but mostly in your tummy.
Over time this fat stockpile increases and becomes progressively ugly and dangerous.
The point is, the more you try to cut calories, the more damage you are actually doing to your body.
So, as crazy as it might sound, if you want to have that sensual body sporting a flat stomach, you must alter your mindset to more muscle rather than smaller numbers.
Focus on eating right rather than not eating at all.
Eating the right foods at each meal provides the energy needed to get through each day and activity. Many healthy foods are natural fat burners as well.
We need to stop focusing on weight loss. What is important is fat loss and health of our body.
When you diet, or follow any of the fad diets out there, you eat much less than you should and you are only supposed to do this for a short period of time.
When many of these diets are over, people gain weight back sometimes all of it, sometimes more. This cycle is very frustrating and discouraging.
Cutting calories and dieting is not the proper way to lose belly fat, not if you want it gone permanently.
Instead of focusing on losing weight and cutting calories, you need to wrap you head around the concept of changing your lifestyle.
This doesn’t mean that you need to change everything that you do today, but you do need to eat in a manner that is healthy, which does not mean starving yourself. Additionally, you need to exercise.
Working out is a huge part of losing fat and plays a big role in the ability to keep it off.
The focus is on losing fat, not weight –
While weight may be semi-important, fat and muscle mass are of a much greater concern.
So, first things first, find 15-20 minutes a day to work in some good strength training exercises.
Don’t freak, this does not mean that you need to go spend a bunch of money on a gym membership. In fact, there are many strength training exercises you can do at home, and many you can do without free weights.
Squats, push-ups, pull-ups, lunges and many other exercises are great muscle building exercises that you can do on your own, at home, and without having to spend a dime. These are called body weight exercises and work just as good as those that you do at a gym with professional weights, if not better.
The easier it is for you, the more likely you are to stick with a program.
On top of working out, you need to eat right.
Cutting calories and eating anything less than 1500 a day is not the answer. The focus needs to be on eating fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, nuts, and grains. If you fill 80% of your diet with these types of foods, you will have nothing to worry about. In fact, eating in this manner helps burn fat naturally. Add the exercises, and your fat will be attacked by muscle too, both of which will boost your metabolism and help you find that sexy body that is hidden under that excess fat.
Here’s is the really cool thing; losing fat in this manner helps you to change your entire lifestyle.
By the time you lose the fat that you wanted to get rid of, this new lifestyle will be your life. This means that keeping it off will be no chore at all because you already know how to tackle it. There is no time like today to focus on what is right for you and your body. If you want to lose belly fat, and keep it off, you need to wrap your head around a healthy lifestyle.
Oh That Ugly Belly Fat –
Weight gain, on its own, is very depressing, but belly fat is one of the most unattractive aspects of it.
Have you noticed that you are suddenly looking in the mirror every time you walk by one?
Or maybe you noticed that your favorite jeans have suddenly turned into your worst nightmare? Even if you have not yet hit this point, you need to take stomach fat seriously and work it off before it becomes a problem.
When we gain weight, especially over time, the fat begins to overcome our bodies; belly fat is one of these downfalls.
There is not a person on the earth that will not focus on this part of their body once it starts to appear flabby. As soon as this flab begins to jiggle or hang over, even the most insecure person experiences lower self-esteem.
If it has become a problem already, it is not too late to do something about it.
Entire Body Needs to be included –
Thing is, you cannot focus on just one part of your body. Leaning this way when you find a problem area, is the biggest mistake you can make.
If you want to lose excess fat, anywhere on your body, including your stomach, you need to work your entire body.
Muscle burns fat; it boosts your metabolism. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism, the less your fat.
Additionally, if you’re trying to shrink belly fat, do not focus solely on sit ups.
It’s not that you shouldn’t do sit ups, just don’t put an emphasis on that and forget the rest of your muscle groups.
If you are serious about a healthy physique you need to make sure that you are doing a solid workout at least three to four days a week; you need to sweat and feel your muscles burn in order to make sure you are getting the workout you need.
And you need to eat properly. No more diets that focus on serious calorie cuts that actually starve and harm your body. Eat foods that are whole and natural; foods that – if you lived hundreds of years ago – you still could have gotten without a grocery store (if it is in a box or a jar, steer clear).
Eat right and exercise and your love handles will begin to shrivel. A flat stomach is not only sexy, but a sign of good health.
With diligent, strong commitment to follow through, you’ll soon enjoy significant change in your mental, emotional and physical results.
It’s time to take command of your health and your life. Loook and be the best version of yourself –
“Healthy Self Healing” can help you achieve this goal.
For more tools and resources from Carolyn Hansen to assist you in attaining your health and fitness goals please visit:
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