Jul 1, 2009 6:58 am US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Keys To A Flat, Summer Belly
Proper Diet, Along With Excercise, Can Reduce Appetite And Provide Energy Towards Achieving Those Desired Abs
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Stress is also linked with an accumulation of belly fat, despite the fact that motivation to exercise is often extremely low during periods of tension. It has been proven that exercise during stressful times can often keep off the pounds.
AP
With summer in full swing, many New Yorkers have been trying to exercise more and eat less in an attempt to get washboard, model-like abdominals.
A recent survey asked 45,000 women which part of their body they would most like to change, and a hefty 45 percent said it was the stomach.
Some of the risks that come along with a big belly include high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Belly fat leads to all three illnesses at higher rates than fat from elsewhere in the body because it is located so closely to the heart.
But according to Good Housekeeping nutrition director Samantha Cassety, a newly-conducted study found belly fat can also create more body fat in other areas.
"What your belly fat does is create a hormone," Cassety said. "That then sends a signal to your brain that tells your brain it's hungry."
Stress is also linked with an accumulation of belly fat, despite the fact that motivation to exercise is often extremely low during periods of tension. It has been proven that exercise during stressful times can often keep off the pounds.
But research from the "Journal of Clinical Nutrition" shows foods such as whole grains, as well as those rich in water, can help people lose belly fat faster.
"Barley, bulgur, quinoa (and) oats, as well as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, oranges and berries will help keep you full and will reduce the fat around your middle," Cassety said.
Water-rich fruits and vegetables, like spinach, broccoli, apples and blueberries are also thought to take more energy to break down in the stomach than their caloric worth, and are thus said to have "negative" caloric values. Eggs, skim milk and other low-fat dairy products can also keep people feeling full for longer.
In addition to a proper diet, exercise can be crucial when trimming down the tummy. Personal trainer Carlos Davila said he believes the key is creating a routine.
"When you get up in the morning, roll out of bed, roll out the mat and do your abdominal exercises before you get started," Davila said. "It's just finding the time during the day where it becomes habitual."
He added that exercises focusing on the body's core are usually failsafe stomach flatteners.
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