Why is it so hard to lose belly fat?

Author: Prof. Ahmad Walker  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 14, 2023

The battle of the bulge. One reason belly fat is so hard to lose is that it's considered an “active fat.” Unlike some fatty tissue that simply sits “dormant,” belly fat releases hormones that can have an impact on your health — and your ability to lose weight, especially in the waist and abdomen areas.

What should I do if I can't lose belly fat?

Trimming the fat
  1. Eat a healthy diet. Focus on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and choose lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy products. ...
  2. Replace sugary beverages. ...
  3. Keep portion sizes in check. ...
  4. Include physical activity in your daily routine.

Why am I not losing belly fat but I am losing weight?

This is because when you are stressed, cortisol levels in the body rise, resulting in storage of fat around the belly area. Another reason responsible for a stubborn belly fat is genetics. It has been noticed that if your parents have belly fat, you might also have the same body type.

Why am I not losing belly fat even after exercise?

Y'all also know of the common causes of excessive fat around your belly such as eating more calories than you burn, consuming excessive sugar, refined carbohydrates, and packaged foods, and finally—living a sedentary lifestyle that involves no physical activity.

Why do I still have belly fat even though I exercise?

If you have been exercising and still have belly fat, you could be doing the wrong style training, your stress levels may be too high, or you may have an endocrine disorder like polycystic ovary syndrome.

Why is belly fat so hard to lose?

How long does it take for belly fat to go away?

The American Council on Exercise says a 1 percent body fat loss per month is safe and achievable. Given that math, it could take a woman with average body fat about 20 to 26 months to achieve the appropriate amount of fat loss for six-pack abs. The average man would need about 15 to 21 months.

How to speed up metabolism?

5 ways to boost metabolism
  1. Exercise more. Add interval training to your cardio routine and burn more calories in less time. ...
  2. Weight train. Add muscle mass to your body and you can burn more calories at rest. ...
  3. Don't skip meals, especially breakfast. ...
  4. Eat fat-burning foods. ...
  5. Get a good night's sleep every night.

Why am I only fat in my stomach?

Gaining weight solely in your stomach may be the result of specific lifestyle choices. The two S's — stress and sugar — play a significant role in the size of your midsection. Certain medical conditions and hormonal changes can contribute to abdominal weight gain.

Why is my body holding onto fat?

Your Metabolism Will Slow Down to Store Fat

The more you work out or manage your calorie intake to lose weight, the more your metabolism wants to compensate by slowing down to maintain your current weight, this is called metabolic compensation. It kicks in to preserve and store fat for future energy.

Why am I not fat but have a big belly?

Common reasons for someone to have belly fat even when they're skinny is: Being too sedentary (inactive), which builds visceral fat around the organs and abdominal fat. Eating too many processed foods, which stores at the belly.

Which fat goes first when losing weight?

Mostly, losing weight is an internal process. You will first lose hard fat that surrounds your organs like liver, kidneys and then you will start to lose soft fat like waistline and thigh fat. The fat loss from around the organs makes you leaner and stronger.

Why isn't my stomach flat?

“Both your visceral and subcutaneous fat contribute to your achieving a flat stomach, which is why some women find it harder to do so than others. Furthermore, factors like hormone regulation play a role in storing visceral fat, which is why many women are not biologically built for a flat stomach.”

What's the best exercise to lose belly?

Some great cardio of aerobic exercises for belly fat include: Walking, especially at a quick pace. Running. Biking.
...
Some HIIT exercises that people of all fitness levels and ages can try are:
  • Jumping jacks.
  • Burpees.
  • Push-ups.
  • Jump squats.
  • High knees.

Why won't my body let go of fat?

The first and most important reason why you are not burning fat is because you are eating too many calories. Plain and simple the only way to lose body fat is to be in a caloric deficit. You need to be expending more calories than you take in. A lot of this has to do with calories that you don't notice.

What are the stages of losing weight?

The 4 Phases of Weight Loss
  • Phase -1 – GLYCOGEN DEPLETION. Glycogen Depletion: ...
  • Phase -2 – FAT LOSS. This is the sweet spot for healthy weight loss. ...
  • Phase -3 – PLATEAU. ...
  • Phase -4 – METABOLIC RECOVERY. ...
  • All the Phases of Weight Management:

Why can't I lose weight when I exercise and eat right?

Muscle is denser than fat.

While one pound of fat weighs the same as one pound of muscle, muscle occupies about 18 percent less space. In addition, muscle burns calories while fat stores them. So, if your weight isn't decreasing but your clothes are starting to fit more loosely, you may be building muscle.

What are the 5 foods that burn belly fat?

7 Foods that Burn Belly Fat
  • Beans. “Becoming a bean lover can help you lose weight and whittle your middle,” registered dietitian Cynthia Sass told Today. ...
  • Swap your beef for salmon. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Red bell peppers. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Edamame. ...
  • Diluted vinegar.

What's a stress belly?

Stress belly is the extra abdominal fat that accumulates as the result of chronic or prolonged stress. Although stress belly is not a medical diagnosis, it is a term used to describe the way that stress and stress hormones impact your midsection.

What 5 foods cause belly fat?

Worst Foods for Your Belly
  • Doughnuts. 1/21. Can't resist fresh doughnuts? ...
  • Ice Cream. 2/21. You do get some calcium from ice cream. ...
  • Chips. 3/21. A serving of 15 chips has 160 calories. ...
  • Bacontini. 4/21. This cocktail is as fatty as it is trendy. ...
  • Beer. 5/21. ...
  • Hot Dogs. 6/21. ...
  • Fatty Red Meat. 7/21. ...
  • Meat-Topped Pizza. 8/21.

What are signs of slow metabolism?

Here are some common signs of a slow metabolism:
  • Ongoing fatigue. If you have a slow metabolism, you may feel exhausted all the time even after a good night's sleep.
  • Continuous headache. ...
  • Weight gain. ...
  • Constipation. ...
  • Depression. ...
  • Thin hair, brittle nails, dry skin.

What vitamin is best for metabolism?

The B vitamins play many essential roles in energy metabolism in the body.
...
1. B vitamins
  • B-12 is essential for the metabolism of proteins and fats . It needs B-6 and folate to work correctly.
  • B-6 also helps metabolize protein.
  • Thiamine helps the body metabolize fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

What is the best metabolism booster?

The Best Metabolism Booster Pills for 2022
  • PhenQ: Best metabolism booster supplement overall.
  • PrimeShred: Top rated metabolism booster for men.
  • Leanbean: Best metabolism pills for active women.
  • PhenGold: Best alternative to prescription weight loss pills.
  • Trimtone: Popular metabolic supplement for women over 50.

Why does belly fat take so long to go away?

Fat cells in the stomach area have a higher amount of alpha receptors, which makes them more stubborn to get rid of. This is why when you start a fat loss program, you see results in the face, arms and chest before you lose the belly fat. Another reason may be the foods you're eating.

What time should you stop eating to lose belly fat?

There's no set time you should stop eating to lose belly fat, but, as a guideline, you should avoid eating two to three hours before bed to stop it from disrupting your sleep and body clocks, which can cause belly fat gain. Studies show early dinners can help people lose weight.

How many pounds is an inch off the waist?

How quickly will you lose weight? The volunteers reduced their waist sizes by an average of 1 inch for every 4lb (1.81kg) they lost. So if you lose 1lb (0.45kg) a week you could hope to reduce your waistline by an inch after four weeks.

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