The Problem: I need to reach my target weight, but calorie-counting is just not my thing, and I’m not a big fan of exercise.
My biggest problem, however, is belly fat, it just doesn’t budge. What diet do you recommend to help me lose that belly fat which I hate so much?
The Solution: The most important thing to remember when you’re trying to lose belly fat is to focus less on slimming down and more on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Spending all of your time scrutinizing your waistline in a three-way mirror is hardly the way to fit back into your skinny jeans.
In fact, a recent study conducted by researchers at UCLA found that your lifestyle is a key factor in reaching your target weight. According to the findings, among adults of average or normal weight, a self-perceived weight problem correlates directly with a lazy lifestyle.
“These data suggest that our society’s emphasis on weight loss rather than lifestyle change may inadvertently discourage even non-obese people from adopting or maintaining the physical activity necessary for long-term good health,” says Antronette Yancey, M.D., the lead author of the study and an associate professor of health services at the UCLA School of Public Health.
So, rather than stressing over whether you’ll actually lose belly fat, simply work on having a more active lifestyle. It may sound intimidating, but small changes can really make a difference.
If you need to drop by a neighbor’s house, walk instead of drive. Or, if you work in a multi-story building, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Even though these activities don’t take place in the gym, they will help you reach your target weight in no time.
As for recommending a specific diet that would help you lose belly fat – while it isn’t possible to target abdominal fat deposits with a particular diet – improving your eating habits will bring you a step closer to reaching your target weight.
Focus on making gradual changes to your diet by paying closer attention to what you eat and more importantly, what you don’t eat. [sources: American Dietetic Association, Best Body]