Do I Really Have Belly Fat and How Did I Get It?

Losing belly fat today seems to be a hot topic. How to lose belly fat fast and keep it off is especially challenging.


My recent trips to the beach suggest several things. People really DO NOT care how they look, they just don't realize how far they have evolved or they don't know what to do about what they know is a health risk. The first question to answer is...how bad is the belly fat? The second question is …how did I get this way? Once we have answered those questions we can then figure out the best route or remedy to Lose Belly Fat Fast and forever.

Here are a few simple observations that may provide some quick answers:

• Check that closet. How many pants (or dresses) do you have hanging in your closet you no longer can wear? Yet you are holding on to them because you believe some day you'll do something about it and be able to fit back into them.

• Do you tie your shoes differently or with a little more effort these days?

• If you have a dog is it overweight? If so chances are neither of you are getting enough exercise to Lose The Belly Fat.

• Do you watch more TV than you used to? How's that couch treating you?

• Do you always look for the closest parking spot or always take the elevator instead of the stairs (even to the 2nd floor)?

• Do you say you need or want to start exercising more (even if it's a walk) but use the excuse you just don't have the time? Yet there always seems to be enough time to get on Face Book, My Space or watch TV for three hours a night.

• Do you drink more alcohol than you used to? It's called a “beer belly” for a reason.

Obviously, there are many other indicators of determining your belly fat ratio but those listed above should get you thinking.

OK, if you've figured out you have too much belly fat (how hard was that?) then just how did we get this way?

First of all it's important to understand that not all humans are created equal. Ever notice how that tennis partner or golfing buddy eats what ever he/she wants and they don't ever worry about the belly fat? Well, that's because belly fat has a lot to do with biology. Every person is equipped with their own personal thermostat. Fat among other things fuels that thermostat. It is called the hypothalamus and this thermostat regulates things like body temperature, arterial pressure, sleeping, eating just to name a few of its functions.

Also, historically, man (and woman) stored fat seasonally. When it got colder the body reacted by storing more fat for warmth. When it got warmer the body burned the fat for energy. While that still does occur to some extent the body doesn't need to do that as much because we are able to trick it with AC/heat. However, the thermostat still affects the burning of calories.
 
That said.... one thing stills holds true. Anyone who takes in more calories than they burn … gets the belly fat.


Some of us prove to be more efficient at burning the calories (energy) than others and age, sex, weight, genetics and physical activity will all play a role in how that's done. But, I emphasize again, take in more calories than you burn and walla… BELLY FAT!

Simple example:

• Eat one carrot a day for a year = 11,000+ calories = 3 extra pounds

• Eat one candy bar a day for a year = 179,000 calories = 51 extra pounds

Of course, we don't store every calorie we take in and our body burns calories at different rates depending on where these calories come from. Unfortunately for us the belly fat calories are stored easiest and burned for fuel LAST.

An example of how the body uses fuel in order:

1. alcohol
2. protein
3. carbs
4. fat
   

The body will use every available source of fuel BEFORE it uses fat. That's why the belly fat gain is often seen even on a low fat diet.


So, that brings us back to the simple equation:


Calories being burned needs to exceed calories being taken in if losing belly fat forever is the goal.


And that can be done two ways and only two ways:

1. reduce the calories consumed (diet)
2. increase the burn (exercise)
   

It ain't rocket science. The question is which diets are best and what exercise programs are most efficient.