If you do hundreds of sit-ups every night before bed, will your stomach become flat like a super model's? Not really, although there are many people who are under the impression that the key to flat abs is absurd amounts of sit-ups or crunches. Okay, it is true that sit-ups and crunches strengthen the abdominal muscles. But to develop the mid-section you are probably imagining, it will take more than a few hundred sit-ups or crunches, sorry! Some folks even believe that sauna suits or abdominal sweatbands help to shrink bulging midsections.
How Can I Shrink my Big Belly?
The accumulation of midsection adipose tissue (fat) is strongly associated with lifestyle – low to no physical activity, overconsumption of calories, and other unhealthy activities such as smoking and over-indulging in alcohol. To combat this problem, it is suggested that individuals perform 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. The level of activity should be moderate to moderately intense. Additionally, moderation is key when indulging in alcohol and empty calorie foods such as cookies, cakes, and chips.
Do the Sauna Suits and Ab Sweatbands Work?
If your goal is to reduce the amount of body fluid by sweating and risk dehydration, the sauna suit can produce this effect; however, it is not a healthy or safe way to lose (water) weight. Keep in mind, as one exercises, the body sweats to keep cool. It is recommended that fluids be replaced both during and after workouts; therefore, the sauna suit is not the answer for losing accumulated body fat.
Abdominal sweat bands fall into the same category; they don’t work either. The idea behind these things is that they melt fat away as one sweats. If this were the case, there would be far fewer overweight people. It has been said millions of times: “The only healthy way to lose weight is through diet and exercise.”
Engaging in 30 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise and eating a balanced diet consisting of a wide variety of healthy foods is the formula for a healthy lifestyle. Exercise should include aerobic activity, resistance training, and stretching. Meals should include mostly plant based foods.
Protruding Midsection and Your Health
This gives you more than one reason to reduce excess body fat, specifically fat centered around the mid-section. In a recent New England Journal of Health, a researcher concluded that a full to bursting waistline could be a stronger predictor of premature death more so than one’s overall weight. The phenomenon is called apple-shape weight deposition and has been associated with many health issues including insulin resistance, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, poor blood sugar control, acne, polycystic ovarian syndrome, male pattern baldness, and fatty liver. Doesn’t it make sense to get rid of excess body fat to improve the quality of your life?
"To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." -Buddha
Chris Christian - Chris Christian has been involved with fitness for over 30 years and personal training for 12 years. In addition he teachs fitness and ...
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