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Home » Lose Weight Safely » From stress to your hormones what your belly fat is trying to tell you and how to blast it – The Sun

WHEN trying to shed a few pounds it can be the final, stubborn hurdle - belly fat.

Even after months of healthy eating and regular exercising that bulge can still plague you.

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And that's because chances are it's got nothing to do with your weight.

It turns out it's not just carrying a few extra pounds that can increase the size of your tummy - lots of factors can be to blame.

Our guts are where we store stress, hormones and insulin resistance - all things that can make your stomach appear bigger.

Here, we take you through the different things your belly fat might be trying to tell you - and how to blast it...

Brits are more stressed than ever - with three in four of us feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope.

And we often forget that stress can seriously impact our bodies, especially our gut.

Stress leads to elevated levels of cortisol known as the stress hormone which contributes to the storage of fat, particularly abdominal fat that is often the hardest to get rid of.

Stress can also lead to a decrease in fat oxidation, the process that allows fat to be burnt as energy.

This means that you dont necessarily have to be consuming more food to put weight on.

How to treat it

Take steps to manage your stress such as deep breathing, going for a short walk or building time into your day to relax.

Herbal supplements such as ashwagandha and rhodiola have been shown to help lower cortisol levels.

However, if you are taking medication, you should always check with your doctor before taking supplements.

Nutritionists also suggest snacking on nuts if you notice your belly getting bigger from stress - as they're packed with magnesium which seems to help keep cortisol levels low.

Broccoli is also a great thing to add to your diet as it's high in folic acid, which aids stress reduction.

One common side effect of themenopauseis weight gain due to fluctuations in hormones.

New evidence suggests that plummeting oestrogen levels may encourage us to eat more and exercise less, lowers the metabolic rate and increases insulin resistance, making it more difficult for our bodies to deal with sugars and starches.

Our hormones also influence fat distribution.

Perimenopause weight gain is often associated with the laying down of fat around the abdomen and internal organs, as opposed to the hips and thighs.

How to treat it

Opt for a low calorie diet as during and aftermenopause, the number of calories a woman burns during rest, declines.

Eat plenty of protein which keeps you full and satisfied, increases metabolic rate and reduces muscle loss.

High-quality sleep is also key in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Bloatingis the feeling of pressure or swelling in the tummy - and over 70 per cent of people regularly suffer from it.

It can be caused by a variety of things including irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence, Coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and endometriosis.

Ways to beat bloating in a week

Nutritional therapistNatalie Lamb, who works withBio-Kult, has outlined a seven day plan in order to help with bloating. Here are the seven steps:

The sensation of bloating can cause abdominal distention, which is a visible swelling or extension of your belly.

In rare cases, bloating can also be a sign of something more serious, includingovarian cancerso it if persists, it is important to speak to your GP.

How to treat it

Nutritional therapistNatalie Lamb, who works withBio-Kult, says there are several steps you can take to help with bloating.

In particular, she recommends using cider vinegar before each meal to support digestive function, reducing simple sugars and refined carbohydrates and eating more fibre.

She also suggests drinking cups of homemade bone stock or including it in soups and stews and leaving legumes to soak well overnight.

While it's not the only reason, weight gain is of course a factor that might be to blame for your tummy expanding in size.

That's why it's important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Tummy fat - also known as visceral fat - is among the most dangerous to the body and is linked to increase risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

So it's not just about how good your jeans look, shedding a few pounds around the middle really can help you live longer.

How to treat it

Increasing your activity level is one of the main ways you canlose overall weight.

You don't have to spend hours at the gym or running to get fit, but if you aim to spend 15 minutes a day being active this will slowly make a difference.

On top of this, cutting down on the calories you consume is key when it comes to cutting down belly fat.

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Opt for more fillingfoods rich in fibre and protein - both of which can help you feel fuller for longer.

In particular, whole grains have the added benefit of stopping fat from being stored around the stomach, by lowering the insulin and cortisol (the stress hormone) within your body.

They're also a great low-fat source of slow-release energy, which keeps you going throughout the day.

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From stress to your hormones what your belly fat is trying to tell you and how to blast it - The Sun

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Home » Lose Weight Safely » From stress to your hormones what your belly fat is trying to tell you and how to blast it – The Sun