Why Abdominal Exercises Won't Work for Belly Fat
Are you tired of doing endless sit-ups and other abdominal exercises with no visible results? You're not alone. Many people hit the gym regularly and spend hours on their midsection, hoping to get rid of belly fat. Unfortunately, abdominal exercises are not effective when it comes to reducing belly fat. In this article, we'll take a closer look at why that is and what you can do to achieve the results you want.
The Study
A recent study showed that abdominal exercises do not produce a significant effect on weight, body fat percentage, abdominal circumference, abdominal skin fold, or abdominal subcutaneous fat loss. Subcutaneous fat is the superficial fat right underneath your skin. While the study didn't produce the desired results, it did increase the person's overall endurance, enabling them to perform these exercises longer. So, while it's great for endurance, it doesn't address the primary issue of belly fat.
The Three Types of Fat in the Abdomen
To understand why abdominal exercises don't work for belly fat, we need to understand the three types of fat in the abdomen. The first is subcutaneous fat, the superficial fat right underneath your skin. The second is visceral fat, the deep fat surrounding your organs. The third is liver fat, the fat in and around the liver.
The Root Cause of Belly Fat
All three types of abdominal fat come from the same thing - too much insulin in the body. This happens because the person is consuming too many carbs. The liver fills up with fat, and then it spills over into the organs in the abdomen, causing both subcutaneous and visceral fat. Therefore, to address belly fat, you need to address the root cause, which is insulin resistance.
Does Abdominal Exercise Reduce Insulin?
The answer is no. Abdominal exercise does not reduce insulin. Therefore, doing endless sit-ups or crunches will not address the root cause of belly fat, and you won't see the results you want.
What Can You Do Instead?
The good news is that 80% of your results in changing the shape of your stomach and shrinking it has to do with your diet, not exercise. To reduce your carb intake, switch to a healthy keto diet. This diet involves consuming healthy fats, a moderate amount of protein, and very few carbs. I've included a link below on how to do that.
Intermittent fasting
Read this: Autophagy & Intermittent Fasting – Activate Garbage Recycling & Cell Regeneration – Dr. Berg
Intermittent fasting is another effective way to reduce insulin resistance. This involves eating during a specific window of time and fasting during the rest of the day. This can help you burn fat, reduce insulin resistance, and see results in your midsection.
While exercise alone won't help with belly fat, it's still essential for overall health. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an excellent form of exercise that can help you burn fat and build muscle. However, it's essential to focus on reducing carb intake and doing intermittent fasting first to address the root cause of belly fat.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, abdominal exercises won't work for belly fat because they don't address the root cause - insulin resistance. To see results, you need to reduce your carb intake, switch to a healthy keto diet, do intermittent fasting, and consider doing HIIT exercise. These lifestyle changes will help you achieve your desired results and improve your overall health. If you're looking for more information, be sure to check out Dr. Eric Berg DC's YouTube channel for more helpful tips and advice.