Ditch the Belly Fat
Diet, exercise, diet exercise – ya ya, you’ve heard it all before. Having that extra tummy fat isn’t just a nuisance looks-wise but it’s also linked with heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But let’s face it, that’s not why you’re reading this terribly cliché blog post. Deep down we all wish we had that flat washboard stomach when we look in the mirror.
Time for the tip parade…
SUGAR SUCKS
Sugar is the devil. The further you stray from natural foods and eat processed foods, the harder it is to come back from. Yes, processed sugar is the number one culprit for belly fat. Most Dietitians recommend 25g as a healthy daily intake, whereas the average Canadian consumes roughly four times that – about 100g a day!
It’s a metabolism killer!
Sugar is about half glucose and half fructose, and fructose can only be metabolized by the liver in large amounts. When you have a lot of added sugar to your diet, the liver gets overloaded with fructose, which in turn leads to fat.
STICK WITH WATER! Liquid sugar is the worst. Liquid calories don’t register in your brain the same way as solid calories – so liquid calories actually slow your metabolism down and fat accumulates more quickly. Most guidelines recommend about 8 glasses of water a day, that’s roughly 2 liters.
Protein Power
If you’re crushing those workouts then why let them go to waste? You need to fuel those muscles with lean protein foods to gain muscle and increase your metabolism. Fish, chicken, whey, and some plant based proteins like quinoa or brown rice have a pretty solid amino acid profile. Did you know that eggs have the highest bio-availability of all the food based proteins? Boil a pot full of eggs, peel the shells, and throw them in some Tupperware for some kick butt snacking – about 6g per egg!
Fat Rocks
Have avocados been forced down your throat yet? Apart from avocados being incredibly nutritious, they are high in the good mono-saturated fat. In moderation, along with certain types of nuts, fish and other “fatty foods”, they will help you lower your cholesterol, decrease hunger cravings, help regulate your energy and mood levels, and this type of fat will reduce fat! Oh, what an oxymoron to ponder for any hipster blogger! Your body tends to regulate your hormones better on a high fat diet, which leads to hunger suppression. You’re also getting more nutrient dense calories, which are more readily digestible and metabolized by your body than processed sugars.
I can tell you from personal experience that when I cut out processed sugars and refined carbs like bread, the fat literally melted off my body on a daily basis.
Mom always said life is like a box of coconuts
Coconut oil gets a bad rap sometimes but it’s one of the healthiest fats around.
Some studies show that the medium-chain fats in coconut oil may boost metabolism and decrease the amount of fat you store in response to high calorie intake.
In one study, men who had a problem with obesity took coconut oil daily for twelve weeks and lost an average of 1.1 inches from their waists, all without intentionally changing their diets or exercise routines.
To see some belly fat loss, it’s best to take about two tablespoons of coconut oil per day. That’s the amount used in most of the studies reporting significant results.
Now, do I really need to outline the benefits of working out (ahem) personal training, of course not! Try 2 sessions with one of our experts for only $90 and follow us on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter for a daily dose of awesomeness!
Study source cited from Healthline.
Thanks for the great tips!