Losing Visceral Fat - Tips to Flatten your Midsection

Okay, now that summer is in sight, and we can now get out and about, people start the so-called quest for the six pack abs.  However, it appears that more people have opted for grabbing a 6 pack of beer than from trimming down their waistline.

In reality, Six pack abs are overrated and are not healthy.  You need to achieve single digit body fat.  Ideal body fat is 10-15% for men and 16-20% for women.  Lower fat levels than 10% can leave your body over-stressed and have adverse effects on the body. You do need adequate healthy fat to; maintain hormone levels; help body enzyme production; regulate body temperature and cushion vital organs.  Unfortunately most people have too much unhealthy fat.

The main point here is that you can NOT be fat and fit.....Losing Visceral Fat is one of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy for life.  Visceral fat, or “belly fat,” is the white fat that is stored in your abdomen and around all of your major organs, such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas, intestines, and heart.  People with apple-shaped bodies (High visceral fat levels around the abdomen) have a greater risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, artery disease and some cancers.

More importantly, there IS a direct correlation between body fat and cancer risk.  Excess visceral fat affects processes in your body and how it manages hormones like insulin and estrogen - affecting how and when cells divide and die.  

Too much body fat triggers inflammation.  This causes your pancreas to produce more insulin, which in turn triggers estrogen production.  Too much insulin and estrogen causes cells to divide more than usual.  This added stress and production can create new cells that are cancerous.

Getting firm abdominals is achievable. Even if you have a flabby stomach, you can reverse this “excess baggage” and reveal a more healthy midsection you always hoped for.

Tips to Flatten your midsection

1.  Be active - Move whenever you can.

This means taking the stairs, walking to the store, etc. The more you move your body, the more your muscles work, the more calories you burn, and the flatter your midsection becomes.

2. Perform Core Functional and Resistance Training exercises

Core training strengthens and stretches key muscles of the spine and lower torso and provide a solid foundation for all other movement.  Adequately conditioned abdominal & back musculature represents the key “coupling” link of the body that connects movements between upper & lower body.  Functional exercises involves training your core in a manner that is similar to daily life and sport demands.

Resistance training builds quality lean muscle, which is more metabolically active than fat.  The faster your metabolism, the more calories you burn all day long—a key for a flat stomach.

3. Stay Focused. When you exercise your abs, focus on your midsection.  Don’t just “go through the motions”.  Picture your stomach getting smaller, tighter and stronger..

4. Brace your abs - Tense your abs 

Like any muscle you train, squeezing the muscle on contraction results in the best training effect. Your abdominals are no different  for best results do the following;

When working the Rectus Abdominus:   Tighten or Tense your abs and push out your belly button during the concentric action shortening the distance between your ribs and  pelvis.

5. Always engage your stomach muscles. 

Lift your chest and suck in your gut when you walk.  Do tummy tucks.

Perform the Vacuum exercise, as follows;

Take a deep breath in while lifting your chest. Keeping your chest elevated, breathe out while attempting to "suck in " your belly button as the lower part of your stomach flattens. You'll begin to feel some of the muscles in your waist feel tighter. Hold this position for a few seconds, then relax. That counts as one repetition.

The key to this technique is Concentration.  The vacuum is more than just sucking in your stomach. It demands concentration and mental focus to make it work.   With proper concentration, intensity and positive thinking this is will help maintain a tight midsection.

Eventually this will take some time to get used to, but if you do this religiously you will see results in no time.

6. Incorporate Cardio - using Moderate to High intensity workouts.

7. Get Adequate Sleep – lack of rest slows your metabolism

8. Eat the right foods. 

This is a must.  Hundreds of sit-ups won't make much difference to the appearance of your waist and stomach if your abdominal muscles are hidden under a layer of fat.  You have to lose body fat, not weight, in order to “see” your abs and this can only happen when you eat high quality nutrient dense foods.

Focus on Plants and Nutrient Dense foods.  Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Cut out milk, limit (or omit) wheat, dairy and meat. Make sure your drink enough water and limit or abstain from alcohol. This will help you control your blood sugar levels, insulin levels, and energy levels. Insulin management will help you lose fat and prevent you from gaining fat.

Getting rid of that jello belly is doable. Following the steps above will help reduce that flabby midsection.  And, hopefully you are doing it more for your health than for vanity.  Being obese or overweight IS a health risk that YOU can change.  Like anything worthwhile, it takes commitment – it’s all up to YOU!

Reference:  https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/how-does-obesity-cause-cancer.h27Z1591413.html

Abs - Got your 6 pack abs yet?

Now that summer is here people are wondering why their quest for a great body – those six pack abs are not anywhere in sight.

It appears that more people have opted for grabbing a 6 pack of beer from the vendor than from trimming down their waistline for those much cherished “Six-Pack”.

No muscle group is more noticeable for men or woman than their abs. In order to have the appearance of a six-pack, you must lower your body fat levels. Doing endless situps and crunches will NOT create a smaller waist or flatter stomach.

Getting “cut” is the development of the bands of connective tissue of the rectus abdominis muscle into deep grooves combined with low levels of subcutaneous fat (fat storage).

Your abdominals are like any other muscle in your body. They can be overworked. Doing endless ab work will not reduce the size of your waistline. On the flip side, it is unlikely that doing too much Ab work, especially with higher intensity/resistance, will result in giving you a big waist. Your ab muscles have a relatively small proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers and are smaller and less leveraged than other muscle groups.

What is required to get Killer Abs?

First, performing strength training for all of your major muscle groups with moderate to heavy weights. This includes strengthening your midsection with added resistance and honing in on core training. Not only will this tighten your abs, but will help to boost your metabolism making your body a fat burning machine.

Second, the best way to burn fat is by doing high intensity interval cardio/aerobic exercise.

Finally, and most importantly – THINK NUTRITION - you must eat smart. This is a must. You have to lose body fat, not weight, in order to “see” your abs and this can only happen when you eat high quality foods. This will help you control your blood sugar levels, insulin levels, and energy levels. Insulin management will help you lose fat and prevent you from gaining fat.

Some Ab Mistakes to consider:

1.Eating too big of portions – moderation is the key.
2. Spot Reduction does not work – you need to lose fat.
3.Having an unbalanced diet – focus on 5 or 6 balanced meals per day AND EAT BREAKFAST!
4. Lack of concentration – aiming for reps rather than technique.
5. Not drinking enough water – water helps flush out waste products.
6. No training variety – vary the exercises – keep your body guessing.
7. Poor Cardio Sessions. Moderate to High intensity workouts are necessary.
8. Working your Hip Flexors rather than your Abs – your trunk only flexes a maximum of 45 degrees, any more and you are using your hip flexors.
9. Too much alcohol – hey beer is great but drink in moderation if you want to get rid of the beer belly.
10. Lack of sleep – rest is a prerequisite for optimal results.

In conclusion, if you want a flatter stomach you must develop an intelligent exercise program and focus on smart nutritional choices. Simply put you need to lower your body fat levels by eating properly and exercising all of your major muscle groups and including an adequate cardiovascular routine. Trainer smarter not longer!

ABS - Wanna Six-Pack?

Now that spring is here people are setting their sights on the warm weather.
Those who have sluffed off on their New Year’s resolutions “to get in shape” are now realizing that they have to put the effort in if they want to look good for the season.

And with summer just around the corner, what is the area most people talk about when they want to firm up, lose weight and look good?

Abdominals of course.

You hear of people wanting to trim down their waistline – wishing for a “Six-Pack”. And we aren’t talking about grabbing a 6 pack of beer from the liquor vendor! No muscle group is more noticeable for men or woman than their abs.

In order to have the appearance of a six-pack, you must lower your body fat levels. Doing endless situps and crunches will NOT create a smaller waist or flatter stomach.

Getting “cut” is the development of the bands of connective tissue of the rectus abdominis muscle into deep grooves combined with low levels of subcutaneous fat (fat storage).

Your abdominals are like any other muscle in your body. They can be overworked. Doing endless ab work will not reduce the size of your waistline. On the flip side, it is unlikely that doing too much Ab work, especially with higher intensity/resistance, will result in giving you a big waist. Your ab muscles have a relatively small proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers and are smaller and less leveraged than other muscle groups.

What is required to get Killer Abs?

First, performing strength training for all of your major muscle groups with moderate to heavy weights. This includes strengthening your midsection with added resistance and honing in on core training. Not only will this tighten your abs, but will help to boost your metabolism making your body a fat burning machine.

Second, the best way to burn fat is by doing high intensity interval cardio/aerobic exercise.

Finally, and most importantly – THINK NUTRITION - you must eat smart. This is a must. You have to lose body fat, not weight, in order to “see” your abs and this can only happen when you eat high quality foods. This will help you control your blood sugar levels, insulin levels, and energy levels. Insulin management will help you lose fat and prevent you from gaining fat.

In conclusion, if you want a flatter stomach you must develop an intelligent exercise program and focus on smart nutritional choices. Simply put you need to lower your body fat levels by eating properly and exercising all of your major muscle groups and including a cardiovascular routine.

For more on Abdominals:

1) Abdominals @ Dynabody.ca.

2) About your abs @ Dynabody.ca.

3) Abdominal Exercises @ Dynabody.ca.