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Those of us who are unfortunate enough to be apple shaped rather than
being pear shaped will know just how hard it is to lose weight and keep
the weight off. Apple shaped people have a tendency to gather excess weight,
fat and flab around the stomach area, whereas those who are pear shaped
will gather this weight around the waist.
Unfortunately, fat gathering around the stomach area can cause more health
problems than it does gathering in other areas such as the thigh, hips
and buttocks. Due to where the fat concentrates some people find it hard
to get rid of it no matter how much exercise they do or how many calories
they restrict themselves to eating.
Why does fat gather in this area?
One of the main reasons that fat gathers around the stomach area in those
who are apple shaped is due to the stress hormone cortisol, our bodies
have an inbuilt mechanism which reacts to the signs of danger. When our
body senses impeding danger it reacts by producing what is commonly known
as the flight or fight mechanism.
When in this mode the body produces an excess of adrenaline and cortisol,
while there is nothing wrong with the body doing this it can cause several
problems. When people become stressed, this reaction can set in and is
more commonly known and manifests as panic attacks.
Panic attacks can be numerous throughout the day and as we have nothing
to flee from or fight the excess energy that builds up in the form of
glucose and fat has nowhere to go and is re-deposited as fat, which in
those who are apple shaped is around the stomach.
The connection between fat deposited around the stomach
When the body doesn't respond as it thinks it should to the fight or flee
response then the fat and glucose will deposit as fat around the stomach
area, the reason that the fat concentrates around the middle is that it
is close to the liver. The liver is the place where it can be quickly
turned back into energy should it be needed, it is there ready for the
next time an attack occurs.
Why does stomach fat cause more problems with the health?
Not all fat in the body is the same, toxic fat which gathers around the
middle has a higher metabolic rate than fat found elsewhere on the body,
it also increases the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure,
stroke, cancer and heart disease, one of the biggest problems it causes
is resistance to insulin.
Developing healthy eating habits to reduce fat and stress
For those who are apple shaped and are not seriously overweight but rather
have a little fat around the stomach area that's hard to get rid of, then
managing your stress levels and developing healthy eating habits is essential
in dealing with the problem.
Dieting alone isn't the answer but rather a change in lifestyle which
leads to a calmer and more relaxed person, if you were to go on a very
restrictive calorie controlled diet then your body would think that there
was a famine and would hold onto the fat store to aid it.
Eating a sensible diet while getting enough exercise and controlling stress
and anxiety using relaxation methods, can all help towards getting rid
of that excess fat which clings around the stomach persistently.
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