This is a major problem that many people in Fiji face.
Due to unhealthy lifestyle and lack of exercise, many tend to have pot bellies.
People need to understand the importance of healthy living and exercise. Many indulge in ab workouts which only strength the core but does not help with flattening the stomach.
This mistake is made by many and they lose interest and motivation after they do not see a difference.
It is very important to understand that only a reduction in percentage of body fat will reduce belly fat.
Reducing the percentage of fat is basically doing a lot of cardio workout. Cardio workout is anything that gets the heart rate pumping.
A mixture of cardio and toning exercise will surely reduce percentage of the body fat. When there is a reduction in body fat, it does not mean that a specific body part has lost weight.
We should understand that the whole body go through the reduction.
Workouts that target belly and gets heart rate pumping:
* mountain climbers — this workout specially targets stomach and is great cadio to burn belly fat;
* burpee — this workout is designed for the whole body. It is best cadio workout for reduction in percentage of body fat;
* box jumps — Box jumps is a great way to specially target the stomach. The jumps use muscles in our core. If done in high intensity, it will get your heart rate pumping.
* jump rope — this exercise is the best way to lose weight and reduce body fat. Jumping a rope will get heart rate up hence body will go in a fat burning zone.
Diet:
Diet is really important for reduction of body fat. I would urge people to control two aspects in their diet which are sugar and carbs. Sugar and carbs are major factors contributing to body fat, if not burned as energy it will get stored as body fat. This is a leading cause of obesity in Fiji. This is also a contributing factor for NCDs. We are what we eat, it is never too late to change. We have the right to choose and make a difference. The choices we make today will make a difference in the future.
* Ravneel Anand is a qualified personal trainer. Please email your fitness questions to ravneelanand@hotmail.com or the Soul Living Editor: SDogolau@fijitimes.com.fj
