Let's be honest: there's nothing quite as unbecoming in a woman as a fat belly.
Most women naturally have some fat on their stomach areas - it's mother nature's way of insulating and protecting the womb area - but, all too often, having babies combined with a busy lifestyle can lead to a woman gaining even more fat on her stomach over time.
Then add menopause to the mix and you've got a 'perfect storm' to brew up unwanted belly fat! When a woman goes through menopause, changes in her hormone levels can often mean changes in the way she gains weight, or even in the way the weight gets distributed around the body.
Whereas before menopause fat used to be distributed more evenly throughout your body, after menopause it tends to stick around the belly area-which isn't exactly healthy.
Midsection fat is linked to numerous health problems like high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Getting rid of it then serves a twofold purpose: it helps you look and feel better about yourself and it also helps decrease your odds of serious illness! Now maybe you're someone who's been thin all your life or maybe you've been a bit on the heavy side.
Regardless of what your body type has been throughout the years, just what can you do if you're going through, or have gone through, menopause and now want to take steps to combat the belly fat that's slowly but surely accumulated around your midsection? For starters, you can do that one thing that you hear touted by every doctor and health agency around: eat a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat.
By watching what you put into your body, you're taking a positive step toward living a healthier lifestyle.
Reducing fat in the foods you eat means reducing the fat that goes into your body.
Try to eat a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats, like chicken and fish.
Become familiar with the nutritional labels on foods and try not to eat too many saturated fats and also limit your intake of mono- and polyunsaturated fats.
But the number one thing you can do to help get rid of your unwanted belly fat is to exercise.
Current guidelines recommend getting at least 45 minutes of aerobic exercise per day at least four days a week.
In addition to aerobic exercise, strength training is also recommended to help combat decreasing muscle mass as we age.
Besides, muscles are the machine that burn fat! Taking these proactive steps can help reduce that unwanted belly fat while also getting you healthier at the same time!
Most women naturally have some fat on their stomach areas - it's mother nature's way of insulating and protecting the womb area - but, all too often, having babies combined with a busy lifestyle can lead to a woman gaining even more fat on her stomach over time.
Then add menopause to the mix and you've got a 'perfect storm' to brew up unwanted belly fat! When a woman goes through menopause, changes in her hormone levels can often mean changes in the way she gains weight, or even in the way the weight gets distributed around the body.
Whereas before menopause fat used to be distributed more evenly throughout your body, after menopause it tends to stick around the belly area-which isn't exactly healthy.
Midsection fat is linked to numerous health problems like high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Getting rid of it then serves a twofold purpose: it helps you look and feel better about yourself and it also helps decrease your odds of serious illness! Now maybe you're someone who's been thin all your life or maybe you've been a bit on the heavy side.
Regardless of what your body type has been throughout the years, just what can you do if you're going through, or have gone through, menopause and now want to take steps to combat the belly fat that's slowly but surely accumulated around your midsection? For starters, you can do that one thing that you hear touted by every doctor and health agency around: eat a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat.
By watching what you put into your body, you're taking a positive step toward living a healthier lifestyle.
Reducing fat in the foods you eat means reducing the fat that goes into your body.
Try to eat a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats, like chicken and fish.
Become familiar with the nutritional labels on foods and try not to eat too many saturated fats and also limit your intake of mono- and polyunsaturated fats.
But the number one thing you can do to help get rid of your unwanted belly fat is to exercise.
Current guidelines recommend getting at least 45 minutes of aerobic exercise per day at least four days a week.
In addition to aerobic exercise, strength training is also recommended to help combat decreasing muscle mass as we age.
Besides, muscles are the machine that burn fat! Taking these proactive steps can help reduce that unwanted belly fat while also getting you healthier at the same time!