How Do You Lose Visceral (Belly) Fat?

Reducing visceral belly fat requires a combination of diet and exercise. Here are some tips on how to lose visceral fat and keep the weight off.

Visceral belly fat, otherwise known as “hidden” fat, is fat stored inside the belly that is wrapped around the organs. Making up one-tenth of all the fat stored in the body, visceral fat is more dangerous than other types of fat, such as subcutaneous fat, since it carries a range of health risks.

The best way to lose visceral belly fat is by losing weight and dieting. Since visceral fat responds better to diet and exercise than other types of fat, regular exercise can also stop it from coming back.

Additionally, the following tips may help lose visceral fat:

Any kind of exercise

• A cardio regime, such as skipping, jogging, swimming, or walking on a treadmill, an elliptical, or even simple lunges and squats, can help reduce visceral fat. You may not lose weight, but the way your clothes fit or an “inch loss” is always a good indicator that the exercise is working.
• Make sure you exercise at least 150 minutes a week. Exercise works by the synthesis and release of “good chemical messengers in the body,” such as nitric oxide, adiponectin, which counteracts the hyperinsulinemia and high levels of ghrelin (set off by the visceral fat). Hyperinsulinemia signals the body to store fats, which is the root cause of all troubles.

Diet

• A diet rich in complex carbohydrates, lean protein, fresh fruits, low-fat yogurt, probiotics (such as curd, kefir) will help curb hunger pangs and keep you full. Make sure you avoid ready-to-eat meals, fast food, and sugary foods.
• Try curbing refined carbs in your diet instead of avoiding fats because such a diet has shown better adherence and results in long-term weight loss.
• Another benefit of a low-carb approach is that it involves learning to make better food choices. So, it gradually weans you away from “poor choice” foods, such as white bread, bagels, and sodas. Once you start appreciating the benefits of high-fiber or high-protein foods, you will stick to your diet.

Adequate sleep

• Never underestimate the healing power of a good night's sleep. Late nights and night outs may sound fashionable, but such practices damage your biological clock and send your stress hormone (cortisol) levels through the roof. This hormone causes weight gain as well as bingeing behavior.

Stress management

• This is an essential part of any healthy life. Stress often triggers inflammation in the body at cellular levels via cortisol release as well as the release of inflammatory chemicals (insulin, ghrelin) by the body. These chemicals increase visceral fat levels by altering cellular biochemistry.
• Make sure you meditate for at least 20 minutes a day. If you find meditation boring, indulge in a hobby, such as gardening, painting, writing a journal, and playing with a pet, which is often as therapeutic as meditation.

Limit alcohol

• Alcohol should be limited to one drink a day (for women) or two drinks a day (for men). If possible, quit drinking in any form.

Quit smoking

• Smoking triggers chemical changes in the body, which cause cellular death, triggering inflammation in the body. This starts the cell death, cell inflammation, cortisol, and weight gain loop.

Become a label reader

• Understand the hidden sources of sugar and trans fat in food items. Salads that contain mayo or heavy sauces are high in fats and sugars and, therefore, not a healthy choice. The same goes for sweet yogurts.
• Move away from processed foods and try to make your meals.

Weights

• Lifting weights, such as adding even two-day weight training to your aerobic exercise helps build your lean muscle mass, improve insulin sensitivity and make you burn more calories throughout the day, both at rest and during exercise, burning the visceral fat off.