I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked this question, and the solution is so easy.
The number one exercise to burn belly fat is ………walking!
It can burn anywhere between 300 to 1,000 calories per day and is the easiest thing to add to your routine.
Walking belongs to a type of movement that is called NEAT – Non-exercise activity thermogenesis. It contributes to the calories we burn for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating or exercising. According to Dr James Levine, who first came up with the term NEAT, it can vary between two people of similar size by up to 2,000 calories a day!
Let’s get back to belly fat. The primary hormone that dictates where you store fat is cortisol. When cortisol is too high for too long, it can increase the amount of fat you hold in your belly – also called visceral fat. This means over time, chronic stress can give you a not-so-attractive apple shape.
A large part of getting rid of cortisol fat is managing your stress levels. Walking is a fantastic way to mitigate stress and reduce cortisol levels. The best thing is that it not only gets rid of belly fat but can potentially also redistribute weight.
Studies have shown that one 10-minute walk can significantly reduce hormones related to stress (and boost your feel-good neurochemicals!).
Also, walking and other low-intensity activities primarily burn fat as an energy source (in contrast to high-intensity anaerobic exercise that taps into your glycogen stores). So they’re a great way to fire up the fat-burning process!
According to Max Lugavere, chronic stress can not only be caused by too much to do but also by excessive fasting, too much caffeine or undereating carbohydrates. It’s a good reminder that not all diets and lifestyles are suitable for everyone. If you notice that Keto or fasting is causing you more stress than good, it might be time to consider a different approach.
How about going for a ten-minute walk tonight after dinner?
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I'll always remember my first yoga retreat. I was so excited to dive into four glorious days of self-care and warrior poses. I packed my suitcase with every fabulous legging and top I owned, convinced I needed the whole wardrobe to rock at least two sessions a day....
