I didn’t approach midlife with gloom and doom. In fact, I welcome this next chapter of my life. Now that I’m a full-fledged midlifer, I have one serious body challenge; belly fat. Would you mind helping me explore the many factors that contribute to abdominal obesity?
I’ve found ways to camouflage my middle. In this post, I knotted this Norma Kamali pleated stretch-lace midi dress at the waist to distract from the extra layer of padding.
This summer, the long flowy, and oversized shirtdresses I wore in previous posts are another way to hide a few extra pounds around the middle.
The bottom line is excess belly fat is extremely unhealthy. The medical term for unhealthy fat is visceral fat.
Visceral fat refers to fat surrounding the liver, stomach, and intestines. The fat can also build up in the arteries.
Even normal-sized people with excess belly fat have an increased risk of health problems.
As I look to explore my abdominal obesity, actually, it’s a pooch. The culprit isn’t just a slower metabolism; in fact, it’s this long list:
1. Sugar Foods and Beverages
2. Alcohol
3. Trans Fat
4. Inactivity
5. Low-protein diet
6. Menopause
7. The Wrong Gut Bacteria
8. Fruit Juice
9. Stress and Cortisol
10. Low-Fiber Diets
11. Genetics
12. Not Enough Sleep
Do you ever wonder how some midlife women don’t seem to have abdominal obesity or that pouch? HRT or hormone replacement is controversial but does allow the body some estrogen level to keep that fat at bay.
Nowadays, many noninvasive ways exist to reduce fat in targeted places on the body for unwanted poundage. And, of course, the expensive tummy tuck.
Personally, I don’t want to blame COVID-19 for contributing to my abdominal obesity. Nevertheless, I’m challenging myself to the following for the next 30 days to get back on track:
🐓 Eat more protein
🥯 Cut down on carbs
🤸🏾♀️ Incorporate Cardio workouts
🚶🏾♀️ Walk more and Hula Hoop
🍪 Limit my sugar and starch
🧂 Limit sodium consumption
🍵 Drink more green tea
Who wants to join me in my 30-day challenge? Do tell.
As always, thank you for reading; I appreciate you.
