Where we store fat (surplus calories) is largely a combination of gender, age and genetic inheritance. Men tend to store fat around their middle (apple shape), whereas women typically store fat around the pelvic region, hips, butt and thighs (pear shape). However, women are prone to develop an apple shape in mid-life, after menopause.
This fight or flight response is incredibly clever and thoroughly efficient. It provides instant energy for 5-10 minutes allowing you to react swiftly to dangerous situations.
All fat is not created equal, however. Men gather fat primarily on their stomachs (upper abdomen) and chest areas. Women gather fat primarily on their upper and lower abdomen areas and down into their crotches, hips, waist, thighs & buttocks.
The most dangerous abdominal fat is the kind you can’t see – the fat inside the abdominal cavity that surrounds your internal organs. Even lean women can carry too much fat inside their abdominal cavities.
- Eating large meals leaves you lethargic and causes the body to store excess energy in the form of glycogen as fat.
- Eating small amounts but often increases the bodies metabolism and reduces the bodies need to store energy as fat.
- Eating five small meals a day will keep you from going hungry and keep your energy system firing.
- Coupled with exercise and plenty of water will further increase the metabolism and increase burning and breakdown of fat cells from around the middle.
- Any product that causes stress or stimulates the body in to a fight or fright response causes fat to be stored. This is something we have inherited from our hunter and gatherer ancestors.
- Reduce animal fats and trans fats.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Eat good carbohydrates : inimize eating processed, refined carbs like white bread, bagels, muffins, pasta, cookies and cakes; they are linked to larger waistlines. Eat whole grains (that means cooked brown rice, barley, quinoa and the like.)
- Do cardio nearly every day.
- Work out at higher intensities.
Having good health is the ‘hidden fortune’ for future prosperity. Without energy and vitalism which comes from good health you are limiting yourself to how much you can achieve. It is important to stay active and complete a minimum 30 minutes activity a day as recommended by all leading health experts.
