How do I get rid of my lower belly fat?

To battle belly fat: 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. ... Replace sugary beverages. ... Keep portion sizes in check. ... Include physical activity in your daily routine.

mayoclinic.org - Belly fat in women: Taking — and keeping — it off - Mayo Clinic

What happens during ketosis?

Ketosis happens when your carbohydrate intake is low. As your body breaks down fat, it produces an acid called ketones or ketone bodies, which...

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Is Banana allowed in keto diet?

Despite the many health benefits of fruit, there is an issue with some fruits on the keto diet. Grapes and bananas, for instance, contain high...

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An expanding waistline is sometimes considered the price of getting older. For women, this can be especially true after menopause, when body fat tends to shift to the abdomen. Yet an increase in belly fat does more than make it hard to zip up your jeans. Research shows that belly fat also carries serious health risks. The good news? The threats posed by belly fat can be reduced.

What's behind belly fat

Your weight is largely determined by three main factors:

How many calories you consume during the day

How many calories you burn off through daily exercise

Your age

If you eat too much and exercise too little, you're likely to carry excess weight — including belly fat. Also, your muscle mass might diminish slightly with age, while fat increases. Loss of muscle mass also decreases the rate at which your body uses calories, which can make it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight. Many women also notice an increase in belly fat as they get older — even if they aren't gaining weight. This is likely due to a decreasing level of estrogen, which appears to influence where fat is distributed in the body. The tendency to gain or carry weight around the waist — and have an "apple" rather than a "pear" shape — might have a genetic component as well.

Why belly fat is more than skin deep

Open pop-up dialog box Close Belly fat Belly fat Subcutaneous fat is the belly fat you can feel if you pinch excess skin and tissue around your middle. Visceral fat is belly fat that accumulates in your abdomen in the spaces between your organs. Too much visceral fat is strongly linked with a greater risk of serious health problems. The trouble with belly fat is that it's not limited to the extra layer of padding located just below the skin (subcutaneous fat). It also includes visceral fat — which lies deep inside your abdomen, surrounding your internal organs. Although subcutaneous fat poses cosmetic concerns, visceral fat is linked with far more dangerous health problems, including:

Heart disease

Type 2 diabetes

High blood pressure

Abnormal cholesterol

Breathing problems

Research also associates belly fat with an increased risk of premature death — regardless of overall weight. In fact, some studies have found that even when women were considered a normal weight based on standard body mass index (BMI) measurements, a large waistline increased the risk of dying of cardiovascular disease.

Measuring your middle

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Can you have wine on keto?

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So how do you know if you have too much belly fat? Measure your waist: Stand and place a tape measure around your bare stomach, just above your hipbone. Pull the tape measure until it fits snugly around you, but doesn't push into your skin. Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around. Relax, exhale and measure your waist, resisting the urge to suck in your stomach. For women, a waist measurement of more than 35 inches (89 centimeters) indicates an unhealthy concentration of belly fat and a greater risk of health problems.

Trimming the fat

You can tone abdominal muscles with crunches or other targeted abdominal exercises, but just doing these exercises won't get rid of belly fat. However, visceral fat responds to the same diet and exercise strategies that help you shed excess pounds and lower your total body fat. To battle belly fat: 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. Limit added sugar and saturated fat, which is found in meat and high-fat dairy products, such as cheese and butter. Choose moderate amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — found in fish, nuts and certain vegetable oils — instead. Focus on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and choose lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy products. Limit added sugar and saturated fat, which is found in meat and high-fat dairy products, such as cheese and butter. Choose moderate amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — found in fish, nuts and certain vegetable oils — instead. Replace sugary beverages. Drink water or beverages with artificial sweetener instead. Drink water or beverages with artificial sweetener instead. Keep portion sizes in check. Even when you're making healthy choices, calories add up. At home, slim down your portion sizes. In restaurants, share meals — or eat half your meal and take the rest home. Even when you're making healthy choices, calories add up. At home, slim down your portion sizes. In restaurants, share meals — or eat half your meal and take the rest home. Include physical activity in your daily routine. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes a week or vigorous aerobic activity, such as running, for at least 75 minutes a week. If you use a step counter, remember that it takes an average of 10,000 steps a day to prevent weight gain. Some studies indicate it might take 15,000 steps a day to prevent the regain of weight after significant weight loss. Strength training exercises also are recommended at least twice a week. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you might need to exercise more. To lose excess fat and keep it from coming back, aim for slow and steady weight loss. Consult your doctor for help getting started and staying on track.

Can I stay in ketosis with 35 grams of carbs?

Carb targets to stay in ketosis According to a 2018 review of the different types of ketogenic diet, a person should consume up to 50 grams (g) of...

Last updated Sep 5, 2019

What should you not eat before bed to lose weight?

Foods To Avoid At Night For Weight Loss Frozen Food. Other than harmful preservatives and artificial enhancers, processed frozen foods may contain...

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mayoclinic.org - Belly fat in women: Taking — and keeping — it off - Mayo Clinic

What are the negatives of almond milk?

Cons of almond milk It's not a good source of protein. It may contain carrageenan, which may cause digestive issues in some people. There are some...

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What snack can I eat on keto?

Best keto snacks: Benefits and nutrition Nut butters. Olives. Nuts and seeds. Avocados. Boiled eggs. Cheese. Green bell peppers. Carrots. More...

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How long does it take to see results in a low carb diet?

Generally, you'll need to adhere to a caloric deficit of around 500 calories per day. At this rate, you should start to see noticeable weight loss...

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Are eggs dirty keto?

Foods to eat on clean keto High fat protein sources: grass-fed beef, chicken thighs, salmon, tuna, shellfish, eggs, bacon (in moderation), full fat...

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