There is no doubt–as a woman, you want to burn belly fat to look better and feel sexier. Burning belly fat is high on the order of most women’s fitness wishlists. Its right up there with your desire to burn butt, thigh and hip fat.
While you’re at it, go ahead and start burning fat on your entire body. You don’t want to leave other body parts out of the fat-burning process.
All kidding aside, belly fat can be dangerous for your health. According to the International Journal of Obesity (and many other sources), butt fat is healthier than belly fat. Their research shows that belly fat increases risks of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and premature death.
Women tend to carry too much fat on the butt, hips and thighs while men tend to carry too much gut fat. The research showed that women with more butt fat/thigh fat than belly fat have better blood sugar levels, blood fat control and slower fat turnover (prevents inflammation and promotes metabolic health).
In a research study led by Eric J. Jacobs, PhD, American Cancer Society strategic director, Pharmacoepidemiology, researchers examined the association between waist circumference and the risk of death among 48,500 men and 56,343 women age 50 and older who had taken part in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort, a subset of the larger Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS-II).
“We were interested in looking at waist size because it’s strongly correlated to fat tissue in the abdomen, which is the most dangerous kind of fat issue,” said Jacobs.
What The Research Found:
Jacobs and his colleagues found that people with very large waists (47 inches or larger in men, 42 inches or larger in women) had approximately twice the risk of death compared to those with the smallest waists (35 inches in men, 30 inches in women) during the study period.
And, this is the interesting part about the study: it didn’t matter if the person was normal weight, overweight or obese (according to body mass index).
“We found a pattern showing that expanding waist size was linked to a greater risk of dying regardless of body weight,” said Jacobs. “Similarly, people with the smallest waist sizes had the lowest risk. The take home message here is watch your waist size regardless of your weight.”
Take your circumference measurements (neck, chest, arm, waist, hips, etc) and body fat percentage every week to track your progress. If your body is shrinking (changing to lean and toned), your exercise and nutrition program is working.
Weight loss and fat loss definitely helps women feel sexier (and men too!). The key is keeping your body in shape for your health! Good health benefits every thing you do, including sex! By the way, sex is a form of exercise!
A regular exercise program will improve your self image, body composition and sex life. A Reader’s Digest poll showed that women who lost 10 percent of their weight reported increased sexual satisfaction. The results were similar for men.
Research has also proven that a regular program of circuit weight training (including bodyweight exercises) and high intensity interval cardio will give you superior body strength/endurance and superior heart health.
Be sure and download your Free Dumbbell and Medicine Ball Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!
Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs
