Abdominal Fat - Losing That Belly For Good

Middle age spread, and abdominal fat is a great threat to our health. The single most important fact that you should know about losing abdominal fat is that there is no magical formula that can make your abdominal fat vanish in a jiffy. Excess abdominal fat is a risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Not only is a firm, flat stomach the ultimate symbol of sex appeal, researchers have found that losing abdominal fat is one of the hardest and most important steps you can take to stay healthy for life.

Abdominal fat is described as having three compartments: visceral, retroperitoneal, and subcutaneous. Abdominal, or visceral, fat is of particular concern because it's a key player in a variety of health problems -- much more so than subcutaneous fat, the kind you can grasp with your hand. Abdominal fat is also associated with a disruption of blood sugar control that can result in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The first thing that most people think of is that their extra abdominal fat is simply ugly, is covering up their abs from being visible, and makes them self conscious about showing off their body. But they need to understand that both subcutaneous fat and visceral fat in the abdominal area are very serious health risk factors.

Science has shown that having excessive visceral fat is even more dangerous than subcutaneous fat. If you care about the quality of your life and your loved ones, reducing your abdominal fat should be one of your TOP priorities. Besides, a side effect of finally getting rid of all of that excessive ugly abdominal fat is that your stomach will flatten out, and if you lose enough stomach fat, you will be able to visibly see those sexy six pack abs that everyone wants.

Abdominal fat is nothing to take lightly. Abdominal fat is often the last fat you'll lose. Fat doesn't just get stored any where in our bodies - the pattern of fat storage is genetically wired into our systems.

Generally speaking, abdominal fat is either visceral (surrounding the abdominal organs) or subcutaneous (lying between the skin and the abdominal wall). But a simple tape measure may be all you need to determine if your intra-abdominal fat is posing a risk to your health.

Remember, straining to losing just the abdominal fat is not the right approach. The best way to lose abdominal fat is through a healthy combination of diet AND exercise. Beware of plans, programs and pills that promise almost instant, easy results. The only thing easy about abdominal fat, is putting it on in the first place.

To recap, the formula for losing abdominal fat is as follows: Losing fat takes time, so get started now.

The author hosts The Better Home Living Guide website, with informational topics to improve your life and family living.

For complete information on the correct way to get started regaining your health and your self image, visit Truth About Abs