How to lose belly fat…and why it matters for healthy aging

Have you ever wanted a slimmer waist?

Who hasn’t!

For the average person, aging is accompanied by an increase in waist circumference…so is the risk for chronic health issues. (Read this here)

Is waist circumference an indicator for health issues? YES.

“Waist circumference is a modifiable risk factor that can indicate cardiometabolic risk, morbidity, and mortality.” (Check out this article here.)

Modifiable risk factor means it is something within your control. Our habits, lifestyle, food, and movement choices all have the ability to change our waist circumference.

However, most people see an increase in waist circumference with age, which puts them at a higher risk for health issues.

Does that mean we should just accept a growing waistline and accept poor health as we age?

That’ll be a no for me. If you agree, and want to learn how to age better, and slimmer, than the average person, keep reading.

Why do we gain abdominal fat as we age?

There are a few reasons for this, but the first and most blaringly obvious reason, in my opinion, is a decrease in activity accompanied by a decrease in muscle mass.

Lowering activity levels is a sure way to gain weight. And I’m not talking about cutting back on your HIIT classes. I mean the simple, consistent movements, like daily steps.

For the average individual, activity levels decrease by 40-80% as they age.

This single action of lowering activity levels also increases weight gain, and thereby increases abdominal fat gain.

We like to think there’s a tricky reason for life’s unfair situations (like having extra fat in our midsection with age), when in reality, are you getting enough movement?

This research study found that a 12 week walking protocol managed to decrease the participants’ abdominal obesity and reversed insulin resistance.

Walking is the gift that never stops giving.

Other reasons that contribute to an increase in waist circumference?

Excessive calorie intake, inflammation, hormone imbalances, lean muscle mass loss to name a few.

Improving all of the above would help. But, before you overcomplicate things, consider how much you’re moving daily. This will help your waistline, and your body, as you age.

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