With todays advances in high tech,going to the workplace may be as easy as turning on the computer and logging on to a network. With the increase of white collar work already accessible through the internet and mobile systems, more and more people no longer find it necessary to get up from their couches for work or play. Although these tools help us in accomplishing great things, it has created a generation of people who live a sedentary lifestyle. This inactive lifestyle has led to a host of health-related problems.
A pot belly, or apple shaped figure has always been associated with an inactive lifestyle, overeating or both. A sedentary lifestyle has been strongly correlated to the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and myocardial ischemia, not to mention insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus as well as a host of other diseases. Recent clinical studies have shown that reducing the amount of belly fat can significantly reduce the risk of suffering these life-threatening conditions.
Reviewed below are the top five stomach reducing measures and tummy fat exercises to reduce the amount of fat in the stomach area.
1. Cardio Exercises. Some of the most effective exercises to do are: cycling, jogging, swimming, aerobics, jumping rope, and dancing but really, anything that gets your heart pumping, works. These exercises are among the most common and effective exercises that work great in shaving off the fat. The great thing is you don’t need special equipment or to join a gym do do most of there exercises. Eventually, if you stick with a consistent cardio workout and throw in some crunches, your six pack stomach will emerge.
2. High-protein, Low-carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrates are easily broken down to glucose which is the body’s major source of fuel. Because they are easily digested, your body feels hungry again really,really quick. Proteins, on the other hand, are not easily processed and can provide more energy over a longer period of time, decreasing the need to you constantly eat. Don’t forget, it is also recommended lots of water, about 1.5 to 2 liters a day, and 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, which are delicious, so no big deal.
3. Did you know that all those things your parents told you like “Drinking can be bad for you” and “Smoking is hazardous to your health” where true. Who would have thought. Alcohol and Nicotine are both major stressors to the body and can lead to increased levels of Cortisol.
4. Learn to chill. Instead of worrying, try to read a book, listen to soothing music, or do yoga, watch a move. Whatever it takes to unwind. Cortisol levels in the blood are found to be elevated when the body is exposed to stress and this produces insulin resistance among other things , causing a craving for fats and sugary food. Higher, prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream, like those associated with chronic stress, have been shown to have negative effects such as increased belly fat and a whole slew of other things you don’t want, so for the last time, chill out!
5. Strength-Training. So you have lost weight and are looking to tone and shape your stomach muscles. This is the time you would want to apply targeted stomach exercises. “Spot exercises” like: abdominal crunches, stomach twisting, hip raise, leg lifts, air cycling, reverse crunches, and hanging leg raise are only some suggested activities you can try to achieve six pack stomach muscles.
Be sure to check out How to Exercise Safely During Pregnancy or Prenatal Massage Benefits for more great information.