How to Get Rid of Belly Fat
By Robyn Littlewood Personal Trainer
Desert Spa at the Hotel Villa del Arco, Cabo San Lucas
One of the questions most commonly asked of personal trainers is, what exercise will get rid of the fat around my middle? Unfortunately, many people still seem to think that they can reduce the size of their belly with some magic set of abdominal exercises. This myth of being able to reduce fat in one particular area of the body is enhanced by dozens of infomercial gadgets and fitness magazines promising you a flat stomach in just five minutes a day. This is a very profitable and outrageous lie. Your belly is hanging over your belt because you are eating too much and probably way too many refined sugars and starches. Alcohol is sugar by the way!
The most recent and ridiculous ab machine advertisement I saw involves a circular bar which you swing your hips around at 180 degree angle from side to side while hanging on to a bar in front of you. The ad shows a man with a huge belly magically transform into a Lance Armstrong clone before your very eyes. The only result of that man performing that movement, would be the need for lower back surgery. The machine cost around $400 US dollars. The last shot in the commercial shows how easily the device stores under the bed. I guarantee that is where it will stay on a permanent basis; under the bed, collecting dust.
Having a strong “core” area is certainly desirable for your functional balance and overall physical strength. However, when you see someone with a “six pack”, you are looking at someone who has low body fat and a high level of overall strength and cardiovascular fitness.
There is only one way to get rid of belly fat: Build muscle and burn more calories than you take in. Permanent weight loss requires that you lose the fat slowly and build the muscle regularly. Why? A muscular body burns more calories than a fat body. If you just go on some low calorie diet and lose 30 pounds in two months, you will really lose 10 pounds of muscle, 10 pounds of water and 10 pounds of fat. As soon as you go back to eating regularly you will put the water back on and your metabolism will slow down because of the lean muscle mass loss. You will put the 30 pounds back on plus a few more. Muscle on your body is the key to permanent weight control and disease resistance.
This is what you have to do if you want to lose the fat around your middle:
1. Get a certified fitness professional to help you learn a safe and effective weight lifting program that you will enjoy. Please note that 80% of what you see other people doing in the weight room is either ineffective or dangerous. Don’t learn by watching others unless you want to waste your time and possibly injure yourself.
2. Change your eating habits. If you don’t do this, you may increase your fitness levels with the above two suggestions but you wont lose the fat around your middle.
If you would like to learn more, you can book a fitness evaluation with me at the Desert Spa Fitness Center in Cabo San Lucas. Email me at robynlittlewood@yahoo.com for appointments.