Everybody loves a good muffin unless it ends up around their middle. Getting rid of your belly bulge is important for more than just vanity’s sake. Women with depressive symptoms were far more likely to have extra belly fat, a recent medical survey reveals.
The medical term for unhealthy fat in the belly is the visceral fat which refers to the fat surrounding the liver and other organs in the abdomen. Even if you are otherwise at a healthy weight for your height, your belly bulge will significantly raise the likelihood of developing all those diseases.
There comes a point in a lot of people’s lives when they notice that their body isn’t bouncing back with the same youthful elasticity with which it once did. Apparently, appropriate exercise and proper diet regime will help to overcome the stubbornness of your body and make it more flexible.
The Most Overlooked cause of muffin top
A muffin top refers to those fatty parts of flesh at your waistline (like love handles). No matter however you are before when you step in your 40’s, the stubborn bulge spilling over the waistband starts to settle in.
It won’t listen to your sit-ups and curtsy lunge. In fact, it is a hard truth for women who have worked hard enough to stay fit says a nutritional specialist and personal trainer of one the famous weight loss clinic.
How Hormones Could Be Whipping Up Your Muffin Top
The major reasons for the belly bulge are due to the estrogen level. Paradoxically, in menopause, a women’s estrogen levels are inversely related to her weight.
When the estrogen level lowers down, women show an increase in body fat and it obviously results in the muffin top. This is also the fat the layer that provides the padding for areas like your arms, booty, and soles of your feet.
However this visceral fat release some unwanted substance called adipokines which results in the implications for female fertility and obesity. This also increases the risk of metabolic disorder like type 2 diabetes mellitus, fatty liver disease, and dyslipidemia. Apparently, this can be restricted with proper diets and exercise.
Stress – The Reason For Dreaded Muffin
Everyone needs fat but unfortunately a lot a fat is again a misery. We all deal with stress in some part of our life either at the workplace or while handling with children or any financial problems.
When we are excited or nervous, the human body releases stress hormones which give us the energy to respond to stressful situations. However, the excess release of these hormones will be accumulated in the body, which ends up with love handles or muffin tops.
Health experts claim that stress can lead to unwanted weight gain. Chronic stress is not only a mental or emotional problem rather results in increased abdominal fat deposits and when left unnoticed leads to obesity.
Getting Rid of Your Pesky Belly Bulge
However, there are proven ways to lose your muffin top include everything from making changes in your diet to using targeted exercise for that pesky muffin top.
Muffin Top Workouts
Bicycle crunches are one of the best and most effective exercises for your abs, belly fat and your muffin tops. There are many workout challenges that will help you jumpstart a fitness routine that will get back into your cutest summer duds.
Apparently, it is important to note that the exercises you choose and the effort you put into them really matters says a conditioning coach who is an expert in teaching exercise physiology.
These seven moves along with dieting can help reduce your muffin top
1. Side Bends
There are two kinds of obliques in the human body, internal obliques which are deep inside the trunk and external obliques which is visible on the lateral side of the abdomen.
When you put on weight, the visceral fat is generally stored in these obliques which in turn results in belly bulge. Side bends on their own will not reduce back fat, however, reduce the shoulders, chest, upper and lower back obliques and legs.
2. Elbow to knee with dumbbell
You can do this core-centric workout routine to melt a muffin top and banish waistband. For this, you should rotate your torso to the right and bring your right knee to your left elbow. Repeat this workout as many times for each side.
3. Alternating toe touches
You should lie on your back with your back pressed against the floor. Raise one of your legs slowly a few inches above the floor while your body is still pressed on the floor. Inhale and exhale during every moment. Repeat this exercise with the other side.
4. Weighted squat to the rotation
This workout will specifically target the muffin top area. Keep your legs wide, hold a dumbbell or ball and twist your torso to one direction and later propel to another side. Repeat in turns.
5. Bicycle Crunches
Crunches will help to tone your muscles, however, love handles don’t contain any muscles. Apparently bicycle crunches will help tone your internal and external obliques in a more effective manner. For this workout, lie your back against the floor. Support your head with your hands and do the cyclic movement with left and right knees.
6. Cross knees to Elbows
This workout is done in the standing position. Hold your hands behind your ears and push your knee to the opposite elbow. Do in turns with right and left knees.
7. Push-up to plank
While doing push-ups your arms should be in line with your shoulders. You can lose a frustrating muffin top with these exercises. Do this work out until you can hold the position.
Foods to Getting Rid of Muffin Top
Luckily there are few efficient foods that when combined with exercise will help you melt away the muffin top in preparation for warm weather.
- Increase your fiber intake
- Cut down sugar and refined flour
- Reduce or eliminate alcoholic beverages
- Reduce the carbs level
Conclusion
Get ready to say goodbye to stubborn belly fat and say hello to life without a muffin top with these exercises and diets.
