Do you engage in intensive exercises to lose belly fat? Are you also someone who first comes on the stomach? And don’t you seem to get rid of that pesky belly? Then you may have to find the cause in one of these things.
1. You eat enough protein, but not the right one
Good sources of protein build muscle mass and make you feel fuller. Most of us get our daily protein needs, but often they don’t come from lean proteins such as fish, chicken, turkey, beans and legumes.
Instead, we often opt for red meat and cheese. Therefore, try to focus on lean proteins.
2. Your fitness routine is wrong
Does your workout only consist of cardio exercises or strength training? Then try to combine both. This way, you will lose the most belly fat.
3. You have taken everything out of your closet that is not low in fat
Many low-fat processed foods are high in sugar, and unfortunately, that sugar mainly sticks to your tummy.
Therefore, try more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as nuts, soybeans, and olive oil. They are less likely to be stored as fat.
4. You don’t eat regularly enough
No matter how little time you have, skipping meals – and especially breakfast – not only slows your metabolism, research in mice shows it can also lead to weight gain in your stomach.
Therefore, try to eat something every few hours.
5. You have stress
Stress increases your cortisol level, so you store more weight in your abdominal area, slow down your metabolism, and burn fewer calories at rest.
6. You are in menopause
During the menopause, the amount of estrogen in your body decreases. With sufficient estrogen, fat is mainly stored on the buttocks, hips, and thighs. When your estrogen drops, that extra fat mainly moves to the abdominal area.
That’s why women in menopause often have a tummy. But we also have good news: after your menopause, you lose weight more quickly than slightly younger women.
For example, light physical activity such as walking and gardening already has a significant impact on your belly fat.