It arrived slowly, just after your new job, you didn’t notice it at first… the car door suddenly became smaller, tying your lace an exercise… first there were few jokes about it but now not only is it an embarrassment but also a health risk.
Yes, we are talking about the fat on the belly that just refuses to budge. Yes, the fat has not only arrived, it has settled on your belly.
But, why me??
Because you are 
Stressed- Whenever you are stressed, the body goes in a survival mode. It releases Cortisol which makes your liver release sugar which it is not using. This makes you hungry after which whatever you eat directly goes you know where- your belly.
Over eating- You, eh... tend to look at the food but not the portions…when you overeat, the fat is not utilized as it is excessive and it simply accumulates on the tummy.
Not Exercising- “I am too busy to exercise.” If you are doing a sitting job, leading stressful life, eating and working at unearthly hours, then not exercising is not an option. Like how you work is reflected in your review, how you treat your body is reflected on your physical fitness.
Not eating- You thought that not eating is the best way to lose weight; but denying yourself the food when you need it is definitely not the way to go. Your body feels that it is not getting food on time and hence stores the fat in the abdomen area so that it is prepared for lean times.
Genetics: Some people tend to put on weight in the abdomen and the upper body (apple shaped) compared to others who put it on thighs and hips (pear shaped). “Belly fat is the most difficult fat to lose mostly for the Indians who are generally apple shaped” feels Anjum Shaikh Nutritionist at Dietersden.
Age: As we age, the metabolism of the body slows down and thus we see the pot belly where there was none.
Excessive drinking: No wonder it is called as ‘beer belly’, Alcohol slows down the metabolism and the calories obtained from excess alchohol are often stored around the abdominal area.
Menopause: Menopause is one of the main reasons for belly fat in women. After menopause, many women tend to accumulate fat around the tummy due to hormonal changes.
Now for the cure, you are waiting for the miracle exercise and diet that just makes this fat go away….
Sorry to disappoint but there are no magical cures for fat belly…
If you want to lose weight in your belly you have lose it throughout. “The best way to lose the fat in the stomach area is by proper diet and exercise. Spot reduction doesn’t happen” adds Anjum Shaikh.
The mantra to remember is –STOP, EAT AND DO.
STOP DOING THESE-
» Since you now know that drinking and not eating on time increases the chances of getting a pot belly stop doing these.
» Stop binging on fibre free, refined flours and the foods such as white bread, pasta, donuts, cakes and biscuits. They lead to bloating, poor digestion, and causes accumulation of fat.
» Try not to have late night snacks: The main problem with late night snacking is that there is not much activity done afterwards. People go straight to bed right after the late night meal because they are tired. So, this will cause high sugar levels in the blood stream and no energy spent after that. The excess sugar will just turn into fat.
