Belly Fat in Men- Why Weight Loss Matters
Men differ from women in many ways. One of it is that they particularly gain weight near their waist. Belly fat is just not the layer of extra fat around your waist but also the fat surrounding your internal organs in your abdomen. It is also called as visceral fat. Regardless of your overall weight, excess fat on your abdomen increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnea and colorectal cancer.
Belly fat , risks and reasons:
Belly fat risks can be ascertained by measuring your waistline. Higher the waistline higher the risk! As per WHO for all men it should be 40 inches or less.
Weight is essentially determined by how one balances the calories you eat with the energy you burn. If the proportion is not fair, that is you are eating more than you are working out- you will end up gaining extra kilos. This includes an extra stretch to your belly too!
As we grow older, we tend to shed off our muscle mass from our body. This results in less calorie burn and might make it more difficult for us to keep a healthy weight. Also, in some men fat cells within their arms and legs lose flexibility to store fat. This causes extra fat to travel to their abdomen.
Excess alcohol intake adds extra weight to belly. Beer belly is a common phrase known to all. However, beer alone can’t be blamed. If you drink alcohol it should be done in moderation, as you are only sipping empty calories!
How do we say good bye to belly fat?
- Reduce simple calories- avoid fried and processed foods. Keep a close watch on your portion size. Whenever eating out, share your meals with your friend.
- Increase your workout- For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human services recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, in addition to strength training.
- Rather than exhausting yourself in one session, it is recommended that you split it in 2-3 parts during the day. So it means you should workout in small intervals.
- Sit ups strengthen your abdominal muscles, but spot exercise alone won’t specifically reduce belly fat.
- Remember, losing belly fat is not difficult. All it takes is some patience, good workout, healthy eating habits and healthy sleep. In fact, shedding a few extra kilos will help you feel lighter and keep bay on risk of health problems.
