By Nelly Obadha
Potbelly, beer gut or guzzler gut are just but some of the names used to refer to the extra fat stored around the waist in men.
Even though most of these nicknames are derived from alcohol, it is not the only source of this bulge around the waist.
There are many other factors that contribute to belly fat, including bad eating habits and poor physical health. An unhealthy lifestyle includes lack of physical activity, poor eating habits and too much alcohol. Beer makes the body burn less fat, leaving most of it to accumulate in the body.
Age is also another contributing factor. As one grows older, the metabolism rate slows and the body is less active. This increases the chances of developing a potbelly.
The excess fat around your midsection is usually accumulated around most of the vital organs in your body, posing serious health risks such as heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. Excess fats also release harmful toxins into the body.
How to get rid of belly fat
Healthy diet: Healthy eating is one of the best ways to get rid of excess belly fat. Avoid foods that are high in calories as they are the major sources of fat. Instead of consuming nyama choma and beer everyday, you could confine it to once a week or twice a month.
Getting rid of belly fat requires that you eat a nutritious diet full of complex carbohydrates and all the major food groups. Reducing the portions of food you eat also goes a long way in ensuring that not much is stored in the body.
Exercise: Incorporate physical activity in your daily schedule to ensure that excess fat is burned. You could take up a sport or enroll in a gym. Physical activity will also tighten belly and other muscles in the body.
Reduce alcohol intake: Alcohol, particularly beer, adds a lot of calories to the body, which if not burned, will be accumulate around the midsection. Reducing its intake or quitting will definitely go a long way in reducing belly fat.
Although some people view belly fat as a sign of wealth and good life, its health risks cannot be overlooked.
