As we age, the dreaded weight seems to begin to creep up into our midsection. It is hard to spot at first, but over time it starts to become a real nuisance and can wreak havoc on your self esteem. Sure, no one else might notice those extra few pounds, but you do and that is all that matters.
That weight gain affects us all, male or female, and it is the natural result of the natural hormonal changes our bodies go through as we age. Once these hormones start to shift, the things that used to work to keep us slim may not work so well anymore. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t find your waistline again, it simply means that you might have to put a bit more effort into it. When you ditch the processed foods in favor of a paleo diet, you can reduce inflammation, reverse insulin resistance, and trim your midsection. In other words, you can take control of those shifting hormones.
Something else that you should consider doing is starting to workout or changing your current workout routine. The fat that accumulates around the stomach tends to be the most stubborn fat to get rid of. This is why you want to hit it as hard as possible. Even a quick 30 minutes of cardio a few times a week with some strength training thrown in will likely be enough to start to see results. If you are already working out in this way and still not getting results you might want to talk to a personal trainer, one who understands and is supportive of your paleo journey.
Many pre and post menopausal women have great success with a HIIT workout (high intensity interval training) to rev up their metabolism and boost weight loss. Essentially, you will be pushing your body to its limit for a short period of time and then resting for a few seconds before pushing your body again.
Of course nature has also designed some foods to help you blast that belly fat naturally:
*Bananas – the high levels of potassium absorb water retention caused by sodium
*Avocado – rich in monosaturated fat which can reduce abdominal fat
*Cucumbers – high in water content, cucumbers are extremely hydrating This extra hydration is an easy way to reduce the pesky bloat that plagues so many of us.
*Papaya – considered one of nature’s ‘healthiest foods’, the papaya reduces inflammation, protects against certain cancers, and even supports the immune system. But one of the greatest features of this fruit is the fact that it is great for digestion, in fact some people even recommend eating a papaya after eating meat or other foods with higher protein.
*Fennel – a noted digestive aid. Its seeds can soothe irritated GI tracts and even eliminate embarrassing gas.
*Melons – such as watermelon and cantelope are largely composed of water and will help remove excess fluid from the body.
Remember the importance of drinking water daily to keep your GI system functioning optimally and to flush the body of toxins and excess fluids. When these excess fluids build up, they create bloating or bulging around the midsection, drinking enough water will help to eliminate that. Currently, it is recommended that you should drink half your body weight in ounces. For instance if you weigh 200 pounds, then you should drink 100 ounces of water per day, which works out to about 10-12 cups of water a day.
Even though it seems hard to start losing weight it is far from impossible. Try to start developing positive new habits one day at a time and add these belly shrinking foods to your diet. You’ll be amazed at the results.
Cross Training
Starting Paleo Diet
Tweak Paleo To Lose Weight
Paleo Meals
Paleo Workout
Batch Cooking
Drinking Water