7 Reasons You're Not Losing Your Belly Fat

98..huff..99..puff…100! That’s 100 squats every single day for the third month in a row, and yet your skinny jeans don’t go halfway up your thighs. Frustrated? Angry? Crying that you still need your mommy jeans?

It seems like every single advertisement ever made for the healthcare industry is exclusively targeted at reducing belly fat, but just not yours. Forget what your mom uses, you should be using this cooking oil instead, reduce your portions, just sit there and talk to your friend, but do not order anything at the café. Every remedy appears to be sucking the joy out of your life.

Yes, we hear and feel you. Take heart; you do not need to add 50 more squats a day! There may be other reasons you are not able to get rid of your belly fat. Read on and see if any one of the symptoms resonate with you or your lifestyle, and have an open conversation with your doctor and physical trainer if necessary.

In This Article

1: – Not just another Manic Monday

If you’re blue, you’re blue. No two ways about it. But if you’re constantly blue, and the pizza delivery man is your new best friend, maybe it’s time to discuss with your doctor or counselor if you may be going through a phase or period of depression. Depression can sneak into just about anyone, and it is extremely prevalent in today’s urban societies. It is also common among new moms. Depression is a psychological factor behind stubborn belly fat and increasing waistlines. The lack of motivation to do something about improving the quality of life, and instead indulging in your one-woman pity parties may well be the reason.

2: – Brunch for one

Image: IStock

If you’re depressed, food may turn out to be your source of comfort. In societies like ours where food is an integral part of expressing love, it’s hard to reduce the portions at your grandmother’s house, or your dad who wants to buy you a pastry because he is happy to see you. Advertisements usually paint fats as Public Enemy No. 1, but no there are many studies which prove that the right kind of fats actually help you burn calories, without denying you the essential nutrition. Also, check with your doctor if your diet is low in magnesium levels. Magnesium is essential to many chemical processes in the body, and low levels may be the reason you are not able to lose weight even if you are eating and exercising right.

3: – Work it girl!

The knee jerk reaction to losing belly fat through exercise appears to be cardio. Although cardio does help to an extent, losing weight requires you to also incorporate strength training in your routine. If you are doing these and still not losing weight, speak to your trainer. Each person’s metabolism is different from that of the other, and you may require a customized regime to help you lose weight.

4: – 50 is the new 50

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Unfortunately, as much as you may lie about your age, your body won’t listen to you. When it decides to age, there’s no amount of lying that can make a difference. As you age, depending on your metabolism and genes, you may tend to put on weight and that weight is here to stay. But you can still be fit in spite of your weight! So don’t sacrifice eating right and working out to blame your genes, you can still help your body in many ways.

5: – Buy one get one

Unfortunately, all the tempting offers on your favorite snacks at the super market tend to have a direct effect on your belly. Packed foods have high amounts of saturated and trans fats. You can’t trace the source of ingredients, and even if the ingredient labels appear innocent, there are hidden nasties that can counter the number of squats you are doing per day.

6: – 9 to 9

Image: IStock

Now here’s a prescription that sounds better than avoiding chips and granny’s sweets. Lack of good quantity or quality of sleep can have a detrimental impact on your weight loss plans. Although we are now raised in a culture to be uber productive and constantly check e-mails, or raise a baby without seeking help, your sleep is essential to your levels of productivity and health.

7: – On duty, 24X7

For some reason, we tend to assume that all the running around babies that we will do post-delivery will magically help us lose weight. But if the running around is more because we are frazzled than out of sheer joy, it is only stress. And stress translates into weight gain. The increase in stress levels leads to an increase in cortisol, a hormone that increases the amount of fat in your body. This kind of fat is clingy, and hard to shed, and it is directly in your belly area.

It is important that you understand what makes you gain weight and what will help you lose it. Before you start reducing portions and start denying your body nutrition, reflect on your lifestyle to see where you need help and make changes accordingly.

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