Will Doing Situps Help Me Lose Belly Fat?

Do you have a spare tire around your mid section? Are you concerned with the health risks associated from carrying excess weight around your waist? If so, you have probably tried many things to help rid your body of those extra pounds. You might have even tried countless sit-ups with little change in your appearance. This may have led you to wonder: will doing sit-ups help me lose belly fat?

The short answer to that questions is no! Unfortunately, there is no magic exercise that will allow you to target one area of your body, such as the belly, and cause the fat to disappear. The best way to get yourself in shape and deflate that spare tire is good old fashioned whole body exercise and a healthy diet.

Carrying extra body weight, especially around your mid section, puts you at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. In addition to the fat that you can see, and grab hold of, there is often more fat deep in the belly that you cannot see that poses even more health risks. This type of fat, also known as visceral fat, produces substances within the body including hormones that change your normal body chemistry and can cause a resistance to insulin and increase the risk of breast cancer. An easy way to tell if you have too much fat around your waist is to take a cloth tape measure and wrap it around the widest part of your stomach to meet at your navel. Women should measure no more than thirty-five inches, and men should measure no more than forty inches; any more than that is considered to be unhealthy.

To lose belly fat and fat throughout your entire body, take part in regular aerobic activity for at least thirty minutes per day. You cannot spot treat your fat, so make sure you are working all of your muscle groups and building up a good sweat. In addition to proper exercise, diet plays a major role in fat reduction. Substitute refined and processed foods for foods that are high in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean protein. Diets that are rich in whole grains moderate body glucose levels, which can speed up the fat burning process. This applies to both the fat you can see and feel, as well as the visceral fat. Foods that contain soluble fiber (such as apples and oats) can reduce cortisol levels, and foods high in mono unsaturated fatty acids (such as nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocados, and soybeans) can help you burn more belly fat. Stay away from saturated fats, sugars, alcohol, and excess salt. These items tend to work against your body and may sabotage your efforts.

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