The beer belly is something that the average person on the street would be familiar with. It is an observed consequence of regular consumption of beer. Essentially, it is an accumulation of fat in the waist area, such that it becomes excessively pronounced. This pot belly is often associated with men, but it is also a possible problem for women. Most people see it as little more than an eyesore or a reminder to lose weight, but the reality is not so simple. It is a sign that someone is overweight if it coincides with other factors.
What is the beer belly?
While the average drinker would be aware of the beer belly and may even be inclined towards losing weight because of it, it is unlikely they are aware of what actually causes it to form. The answer lies in the beer itself. Alcoholic beverages have very high calorie content, and beer in particular has it much higher than most wines and hard liquors. If not provided a means to burn these excess calories, the body stores them in the belly. This is only the most common area, though the body can also store these calories into areas such as the torso, abdomen, and chest. In women, there is also a high tendency for them to be stored in the hips.
Giving up beer
The obvious course of action that even weight loss programs will note is to stop drinking beer. It’s a major cause of the beer belly, so giving it up is the first step. That will stop the accumulation of even more calories, making it easier for a weight management plan to work on burning what’s already there. This is a difficult process, of course, and not everyone would be willing to give up alcohol entirely. Experts suggest weaning off of it slowly by drinking it less often and switching to light beers. Others suggest alternating it with a diet drink or juices.
The exercise option
Weight loss programs also recommend exercise for helping cut down the beer belly. Sit-ups are usually cited as being good for losing fat in that area, but this is not the case. The best exercises for toning down a pot belly are aerobic programs and cardiovascular workouts. These are best because they get the heart pumping faster, breaking the body into a sweat and causing it to burn more calories. Running, swimming, cycling, squash, and tennis are all suggested workouts for this particular purpose. At a consistent half hour daily, results should be noticeable around ten weeks after the start.
The beer belly can not only be unsightly, but it can also be a possible health complication. The right forms of exercise are the only real way to reduce it effectively, though weight management programs and diet pills can help the process along. At some point, someone who wants to reduce the pot belly will need to seriously consider the idea of dropping beer altogether.
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